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Spain's gastronomic delights showcase a rich cultural heritage and diverse regional influences. From succulent jamón Ibérico to aromatic paella, Spanish cuisine offers a delightful journey for your taste buds. There are also tempting sweet treats and delicious drinks, from wine and sherry to hot chocolate, to try when you visit this friendly and welcoming country.
In this article, we will explore delicious Spanish dishes, desserts and beverages that highlight the best of what the country has to offer. Get ready to embark on a flavourful adventure through the vibrant world of Spanish food and drink.
Spain's national dish, paella, is a mouth-watering combination of saffron-infused rice, delectable seafood, tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and spices. There’s no set recipe for it, so different regions often have different specialities, and all the varieties are worth trying.
If you're interested in exploring the irresistible cuisine that Spain is famous for, here are 35 scrumptious dishes and drinks to satisfy your taste buds.
Cocido madrileño is a traditional stew that has its origins in Madrid. This hearty dish features a combination of chickpeas, rich meats like chorizo and ham, and an assortment of vegetables. The stew is typically served in the colder months, but some restaurants have it on the menu all year round.
This delicious dessert from Catalonia is often compared to crème brûlée. It consists of a creamy custard with a subtle touch of citrus and cinnamon, perfectly complemented by a caramelised sugar crust. The combination of the crispy top and velvety smooth interior creates an exquisite dining experience.
Escalivada is a traditional dish from Catalonia that combines roasted or grilled vegetables, in particular red peppers, eggplant, and onions. These vegetables are perfectly cooked to develop a smoky and earthy flavour. Drizzled with olive oil, escalivada is a delightful appetiser or side dish.
The Basque Country is famous for the delicious dish of txangurro. This delicacy features spider crab meat mixed with a tasty tomato sauce and served in the crab shell. It's a true delight for seafood lovers.
When visiting Catalonia in the winter, be sure to taste calçots. These delicious grilled spring onions are served with romesco sauce of tomato and almond to create an enticing seasonal delicacy.
With its diverse range of delicious meaty treats like chorizo (spiced pork sausage), Spain offers a variety of sausage dishes that add an extra dimension to any meal. Whether they are cooked in sidra (cider) or incorporated into hearty stews, these spiced sausages guarantee a delightful explosion of flavour.
This popular seafood dish, also known as pulpo á feira, is a beloved speciality from Galicia in northwestern Spain. It features paprika-seasoned octopus served with potatoes. Beyond its delicious flavours, it holds great significance as a symbol of Galician cuisine and the region's maritime heritage.
Migas is a traditional dish that’s popular throughout the country, and often enjoyed as a hearty winter breakfast or appetiser. It consists of breadcrumbs, garlic, olive oil, and spices mixed together, sometimes accompanied by vegetables or chorizo. This rustic dish originated in rural Spanish communities where leftover stale bread was transformed into a satisfying meal.
Empanadas are delicious pastries that come with a variety of savoury fillings such as meat or vegetables. For those who prefer a smaller bite, empanadillas are the perfect option. This Spanish variation of stuffed bread dates from mediaeval times, enriched by influences from Jewish and Moorish cultures.
This classic dish from Catalonia is always a delight. It starts with a crusty piece of bread, topped with juicy tomatoes and generously drizzled with fragrant olive oil. It's a beloved favourite that is often enjoyed as a refreshing breakfast during warmer months or at the beginning of an authentic Spanish meal.
During the hot Spanish summers, many people savour chilled soups like gazpacho and salmorejo. Gazpacho is a refreshing combination of ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil, garlic, breadcrumbs, and vinegar. Salmorejo hails from Cordoba with a tasty mix of similar ingredients. Try some for yourself as you explore Cordoba, Seville and Granada during a week in Andalucia.
Whether you enjoy them as a standalone snack or use them to enhance dishes like paella, Spanish olives are incredibly versatile and add depth and texture to a wide range of recipes. Manzanilla is probably the most popular of Spanish olives - Apple or pear shaped, this Olive is the most ideal for stuffing. Keep an eye out for a Pelotin Olive. This small, round and green variety will be served to you at many a bar throughout Andalucia, from where it hails.
Spain's diverse terrain yields a variety of delicious cheeses. Whether you crave the creamy goodness of manchego or the robust and flavourful taste of blue-veined queso de Cabrales (Cabrales cheese), there are dairy delicacies to please every palate. The craft of cheese-making has a long and impressive history dates back to ancient times, and was influenced by the Romans.
Why not explore one of the many food markets during your free time in Granada? Markets such as Mercado San Agustin offer an overwhelming amount of culinary delights - just be sure that you have a healthy appetite to match!
This comforting stew from Asturias in northwest Spain is filled with appealing ingredients such as hearty white beans, chorizo, blood sausage (morcilla), and various cuts of pork. It's an ideal dish to savour during the colder months, providing both warmth and nourishment, and is a popular regional speciality.
Gazpacho manchego is a traditional stew from the La Mancha region in central Spain. It typically includes unleavened bread, rabbit or hare, saffron, tomatoes, and rice. This substantial dish is a timeless favourite based on local ingredients and family recipes, with a distinct flavour and many variations.
This relaxing holiday gives you the chance to unwind and soak up the sun whilst discovering the best of Andalucía.
When visiting Segovia, you can't miss its famous cochinillo asado, a traditional delicacy of roasted suckling pig. The meat is incredibly tender and cooked to perfection, with a crispy skin and sweet, succulent interior. This dish truly highlights the city's expertise in the art of roasting. It is usually enjoyed on special occasions, cochinillo asado has a rich history that dates back to ancient Roman times.
This is a traditional dish you’ll often find as a stand-alone meal or as a tapas option in many restaurants. The name translates to chicken with garlic, and it’s also usually prepared with potatoes and white wine to create a warming, simple dish.
These small green peppers from the Galician region of Spain, known as Padrón peppers, are a satisfying mix of sweet and spicy sensations. When heated until their skin blisters, they can become an addictive treat. Traditionally cooked in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, these peppers have a long history going back to the 16th century when Franciscan monks first introduced them to the culinary scene.
It's hard to resist the golden, crispy, deep-fried potatoes commonly found in bars and restaurants all over Spain. Originating in Madrid in the early 1900s, they are served bravas style – generously drizzled with a tantalising spicy sauce that adds an extra kick to every delicious bite.
We recommend trying these and the mouth-watering Padron peppers as part of a Tapas dinner while you enjoy a free afternoon in the sun-filled streets of Seville.
This delicious seafood stew has its origins in Catalonia, particularly the coastal regions. It is typically served as a main course, especially during celebrations, and features a savoury tomato and wine sauce full of fish and shellfish like prawns, mussels, and squid. The dish originates from the traditional fishing communities of Catalonia.
The Iberian Peninsula is the source of this prized Spanish ham, which is enjoyed throughout the country. It is usually served as an appetiser or tapa. The ham is made from Iberian pigs that have been specially bred. It has a rich flavour and melts in the mouth.
Baguettes or rolls can be filled with delicious ingredients such as omelette, or tasty cured meats like jamon Iberico and are a wonderful snack or lunch choice. The bocadillo dates back to the first decades of the 20th century. They have evolved from a simple street food into a national favourite.
This popular fried dish is a speciality in Andalucia. It's especially popular in coastal towns such as Cadiz and Malaga. This dish is usually eaten as an appetiser or tapa. It contains small fish, usually sardines and anchovies, that are coated in flour, seasoned, and deep-fried until crispy. The southern Spanish coastal region has enjoyed this culinary tradition for centuries.
This is a delightful nougat made from honey, sugar, egg whites, and nuts. It’s often formed into a large block and can be either soft or crispy. You’ll find it all over the country in sweet shops.
The delightful treat consists of crisp, fried dough pastries coated in sugar, paired with thick, rich chocolate for dipping. These tempting treats can be enjoyed at any time, and are often served for breakfast in local cafés.
Pintxos and pinchos are also popular options for casual dining. These delicious appetisers or snacks are served in bars all over northern Spain. Pinchos are available in many forms, and often include chorizo and other ingredients such as olives, cheese, and seafood.
This delicious dessert is enjoyed throughout the year in Spain's Basque Country. It is baked until it is caramelised on top, which gives it its unique taste. It is made with cream cheese and eggs, as well as sugar, and heavy cream, and became popular in San Sebastian's La Vina restaurant during the early 1990s.
This delicious treat comes from the Asturian town of Oviedo. It features a combination of almonds and eggs nestled between layers of golden brown puff pastry. After baking, a syrup glaze is added to add a touch of sweetness.
These mini sponge cakes, filled with custard cream, are irresistible. A dusting of cinnamon is the perfect finish for them, whether served as individual treats or cake slices. Enjoy these traditional Spanish delicacies while taking in the stunning views of Granada, where they originated.
This traditional Spanish omelette can be found in Spain as a breakfast dish or tapa. It’s made from eggs, potatoes, and sometimes onions. It's then pan-fried until cooked through. It was first popularised in the early 19th century and is now a staple of Spanish cuisine.
You'll find a wide range of sherries, from sweet to dry, in the sunny southern region of Andalucia, centred on the city of Jerez de la Frontera. Fino and manzanilla are dry styles that pair well with fish or salmorejo, while sweet, rich Pedro Ximenez is the perfect accompaniment to desserts.
Traditional Basque cider, made with locally grown apples, has a tart, natural taste that is slightly effervescent and pairs well with many Spanish dishes. Basque cider is a treasured part of the culture, and cider houses date back centuries.
This fortified aromatic wine is a Spanish staple, and it's usually enjoyed as an aperitif. It's usually served over ice, with an olive or orange garnish. The herbs and spices give it a balance of bitter undertones with sweet caramel nuances.
You can find this Spanish coffee-based beverage in bars and restaurants all over Spain. It is usually enjoyed in the morning or after a meal. The espresso is mixed with a spirit, which is usually rum or brandy. Carajillo was believed to have originated in Cuba in the Spanish colonial period before becoming a popular drink in Spain.
Spain is famous for producing excellent wines, particularly from the Rioja region in the north of the country. Grape harvesting and wine-making here dates back to the Phoenicians, so they’ve had plenty of time to perfect the fermentation process.
Experience the wonders of Spain with Travelsphere’s escorted tours, where you'll be mesmerised by breathtaking landscapes and immersed in the nation’s fascinating cultural heritage. Alongside incredible sights, you can indulge in the authentic flavours that make this country so memorable. All our tours are designed to create unforgettable experiences that allow you to fully participate in regional customs and savour exquisite local cuisine.
On our Week in Andalucia Tour, treat yourself to a delightful cup of Spanish coffee in the enchanting town of Ronda and enjoy a light lunch at one of Seville’s finest tapas bars. Or, on our Little Trains of the Pyrenees Tour, you can do wine tasting at the walled city of Thuir.
At Travelsphere, we are passionate about showcasing both the cultural and culinary wonders of Spain. These food and drink tasting experiences are just a tiny taste of the gastronomic adventures that await you on our remarkable guided tours.