🇪🇸 The food of Spain

55 dishes from Spain, best known first, across 51 cities and regions.

Spanish cooking is shaped by its regional variety and a long history of outside influences, from Roman olive oil and wheat to New World tomatoes and peppers. Olive oil, garlic, and fresh produce are central, while tapas culture and a blend of Mediterranean and Atlantic traditions set Spain apart from its neighbors.

Spain is the world's largest producer of olive oil.
Tapas are a central part of Spanish eating culture.
Paella uses rice and saffron, both introduced by the Moors.
Lunch is the largest meal, usually eaten after 2 p.m.
Tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers came from the Americas.

The cooking of Spain

Spanish cuisine is marked by its diversity across regions, drawing from Mediterranean and Atlantic influences. Olive oil is at the heart of most dishes, often forming the base for vegetable sauces called sofritos. Herbs like parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme are common, as is garlic. Meals feature a mix of meats such as chicken, pork, lamb, and veal, alongside regular use of fish and seafood. The tradition of tapas—small plates or snacks—reflects a social approach to eating. Spanish cooking has absorbed ingredients and techniques from ancient Romans, Moors, Jews, and the Americas, resulting in a cuisine that values both local produce and global flavors.

Staple foods in Spain

Wheat, grapes, and olives are the historic foundation, providing bread, wine, and olive oil. Rice, introduced and expanded by the Moors, is key in dishes like paella. Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers from the Americas are now essential. Pork, chicken, lamb, and veal are the main meats, with fish and seafood also important. Legumes and vegetables, such as borage and thistle in Aragon, are widely used.

Breakfast in Spain 10 dishes

Breakfast is light and may be eaten at home or before work. Typical choices include coffee, milk, or hot chocolate, paired with biscuits (especially Marie biscuits), magdalenas (small sponge cakes), toast with oil, tomato, or butter, and churros. Because lunch is late, many people have a mid-morning snack.

Lunch in Spain 24 dishes

Lunch is the main meal, usually starting around 2 p.m. and lasting over an hour. It often has several courses: soup, salad, a meat or fish dish, and dessert like fruit or yogurt. Tapas may be served before or during lunch. At home, meals are simpler, with one or two courses.

Dinner in Spain 21 dishes

Dinner is eaten late, between 8:30 and 11 p.m., and is lighter than lunch. It usually consists of a single course and dessert. The long gap between lunch and dinner means an afternoon snack is common.

Snacks and street food in Spain

Tapas and pinchos are the most recognizable snacks, served in bars and cafes. These can include croquetas, marinated mussels, meatballs, and small sandwiches. Tapas may be complimentary with drinks. Eating olives as a snack is also widespread.

Sweets and drinks in Spain

Spanish sweets include churros for breakfast and desserts like frutas de Aragón (candied fruit in chocolate). Drinks range from coffee and hot chocolate to regional wines, sherry, and brandy. Chocolate was first sweetened with sugar in Spain after its arrival from the Americas.

From region to region in Spain

Each region has its own specialties. Andalusia is known for olive oil, cold soups like gazpacho, and fried fish. Aragon features roast lamb, pork dishes, and unique vegetables like borage. Cured meats and cheeses vary by area. The Mediterranean coast uses more olive oil, while butter is traditional in the northwestern regions like Galicia and Asturias.

At the table in Spain

Meals are social events, often lasting a long time. Lunch is followed by sobremesa, a period of conversation at the table. Businesses may close for a long lunch break, though this is changing. Tapas culture encourages sharing and trying many small dishes. Afternoon snacks (merienda) are common due to the late dinner hour.

Festival and religious food in Spain

Festive foods reflect religious and local traditions. Jewish communities historically prepared special stews like adafina for the Sabbath. Moorish influence brought pastries and preserved dishes for celebrations. Regional specialties often appear during festivals and holidays.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Spanish cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Hot chocolate 🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 moreA warm drink made from chocolate or cocoa, milk or water, and sugar Drink, Breakfast, Snacks

Paella 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreRice cooked with meat, seafood or vegetables in a wide shallow pan from Valencia Main dish, Lunch

MarzipanVegetarian 🇩🇪 Germany and 5 moreSweet almond paste shaped or used in cakes, especially at Christmas and weddings Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time

GazpachoVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreChilled soup of blended raw vegetables, served cold in Spain and Portugal Soup, Lunch, Dinner

TocinoMeat 🇵🇭 Philippines and 5 moreCured or fried pork enjoyed in Spain, the Philippines, and the Caribbean Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch

Sangriasangría 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreRed wine mixed with fruit and served cold, from Spain and Portugal Drink

Oxtail stewMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreStew made with oxtail, found in many world cuisines Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner

MolleteVegetarian 🇲🇽 Mexico and 6 moreOpen-faced Mexican sandwich with refried beans and melted cheese Bread, Breakfast, Snacks

JeropigaVegan 🇵🇹 Portugal and 1 morePortuguese sweet fortified drink made by adding aguardente to grape must Drink

Cheesecake 🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreA chilled dessert of sweetened soft cheese on a crumb or pastry base Sweet or dessert, Snacks

MeatballMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreGround meat shaped into balls and cooked by frying, baking, or braising in sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

Foie grasMeat 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreFattened duck or goose liver, a French delicacy served whole or as a spread Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

SherryVeganJerez 🇪🇸 SpainFortified wine from southern Spain, made mainly from Palomino grapes Drink

Churrochurros 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreRidged, deep-fried dough sticks often eaten hot with chocolate or coffee Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Snacks

Crème brûléeVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 2 moreRich vanilla custard with a brittle caramelized sugar top Sweet or dessert

ChorizoMeat 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA seasoned pork sausage from the Iberian Peninsula, made in many regional styles Sausage or cured food, Breakfast, Lunch

Croquette 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreA deep-fried roll with a creamy or starchy filling, coated in breadcrumbs Street food, Snacks, Lunch

Empanada 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 morePastry turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, baked or fried Pie or savoury pastry, Lunch, Dinner

Chocolate cakeVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreCake made with chocolate or cocoa, often layered or topped with icing Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks

Spanish omeletteVegetariantortilla de patatas 🇪🇸 SpainEgg and potato omelette, often served as a tapa in Spain Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

MadeleineVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 1 moreShell-shaped French sponge cakes from Lorraine, often served with tea Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Tea time

Crème caramelVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreCustard dessert topped with a layer of liquid caramel Sweet or dessert

HorchataVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreSweet plant-based drink made from rice, tiger nuts or seeds Drink, Snacks

King cake 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreA festive sweet bread or pastry with a hidden token, eaten for Epiphany and Carnival Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time

ManchegoVegetarianqueso manchego 🇪🇸 SpainFirm sheep’s milk cheese from La Mancha, aged from two months to two years Cheese or dairy food

Snails as foodMeat 🇲🇦 Morocco and 5 moreLand and sea snails prepared and eaten in many world cuisines Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

TurrónVegetarian 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreHoney and nut nougat, shaped into bars or cakes, enjoyed at Christmas in Spain and Italy Sweet or dessert, Snacks

CavaVegan 🇪🇸 SpainSpanish sparkling wine made by the traditional method, mostly from Catalonia Drink

Fabada asturianaMeatFabada 🇪🇸 SpainAsturian white bean stew with pork and sausage Stew or curry, Lunch

Crema catalanaVegetarian 🇪🇸 SpainCatalan custard dessert with a caramelized sugar crust Sweet or dessert

MacaroonVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreSweet biscuit or small cake made from nuts or coconut and egg whites Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time

Avgolemonoαυγολέμονο 🇬🇷 Greece and 4 moreGreek soup or sauce thickened with egg and lemon Soup, Lunch, Dinner

Cabrales cheese 🇪🇸 SpainBlue cheese from Asturias aged in mountain caves Cheese or dairy food

Beaujolais nouveauVegan 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreYoung red wine from France, released each November just weeks after harvest Drink

Patatas bravasVegan 🇪🇸 SpainCrisp potato cubes with a spicy paprika sauce from Spain Street food, Snacks, Lunch

Arròs negreFish or seafood 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreRice cooked with squid ink, cuttlefish or squid, and seafood broth Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

ChurrascoMeat 🇧🇷 Brazil and 6 moreGrilled meat, often beef, cooked over coals or on skewers in South America and Iberia Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

SalmorejoVegetariansalmorejo cordobés 🇪🇸 SpainThick cold tomato and bread soup from Córdoba, Andalusia Soup, Lunch, Dinner

OrujoVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreStrong, clear pomace spirit distilled from grape residue in northern Spain Drink

Adobo 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA marinade or sauce of paprika, garlic, salt, vinegar and spices from Iberia Sauce, pickle or ferment

Alfajor 🇦🇷 Argentina and 4 moreSweet biscuits or pastry joined with a filling, often dulce de leche or honey and nuts Sweet or dessert, Snacks

PatxaranVegan 🇪🇸 SpainA sweet liqueur made by steeping sloe berries in anisette Drink

AjoblancoVegan 🇪🇸 SpainChilled Andalusian soup of almonds, bread, garlic and olive oil Soup, Lunch, Dinner Chicharrón 🇪🇸 Spain and 6 moreCrispy fried pork belly or skin, enjoyed as a snack or dish in many countries Street food, Snacks, Lunch

Polvorón 🇪🇸 Spain and 4 moreCrumbly Spanish shortbread made with flour, sugar, milk, and nuts Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks

Ibérico hamMeat 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreCured leg of Black Iberian pig, prized in Spain and Portugal Sausage or cured food

Twelve GrapesVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA Spanish New Year’s Eve custom of eating twelve grapes at midnight Sweet or dessert

RomescoVegan 🇪🇸 SpainCatalan sauce of roasted tomato, nuts, peppers and oil, often served with seafood Sauce, pickle or ferment