Food news
HeritageThe National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo capped off its 2026 ‘Magbasá Kita: A Reading Program for Young Learners’ with an immersive storytelling session at the museum’s Book Nook on September 23, 2026. The activity introduced the localStreet foodNew Northern Kentucky café brings Thai street food and specialty shoppingHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesStreet foodMan dead, 3 in custody after shooting outside Piada Italian Street Food in Mayfield HeightsStreet foodBrick-and-Mortar Restaurants Need to Stop Blaming Street VendorsStreet food1 dead, 3 detained in Mayfield Heights shootingFarm and marketYour guide to Harvest Fair 2026 at Wisconsin State Fair ParkFarm and marketOct. 3 Harvest of Harmony Parade available to view in livestream broadcast during paradeFarm and marketSouthington Apple Harvest Festival kicks off tonightHeritageThe National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo capped off its 2026 ‘Magbasá Kita: A Reading Program for Young Learners’ with an immersive storytelling session at the museum’s Book Nook on September 23, 2026. The activity introduced the localStreet foodNew Northern Kentucky café brings Thai street food and specialty shoppingHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesStreet foodMan dead, 3 in custody after shooting outside Piada Italian Street Food in Mayfield HeightsStreet foodBrick-and-Mortar Restaurants Need to Stop Blaming Street VendorsStreet food1 dead, 3 detained in Mayfield Heights shootingFarm and marketYour guide to Harvest Fair 2026 at Wisconsin State Fair ParkFarm and marketOct. 3 Harvest of Harmony Parade available to view in livestream broadcast during paradeFarm and marketSouthington Apple Harvest Festival kicks off tonight
Thali

🇪🇸 The food of Spain

109 dishes from Spain, best known first, across 60 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 17 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 56 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 52 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.

Cities and regions of Spain

Andalusia 8Galicia 8Valencia 8Catalonia 7Basque Country 4Extremadura 4La Mancha 4Murcia 4Aragón 3Asturias 3Ibiza 3Madrid 3Valencian Community 3Balearic Islands 2Cádiz 2Canary Islands 2Cantabria 2Castile and León 2Granada 2Majorca 2Segovia 2Valladolid 2Alboraya 1Alicante 1Almagro 1Almería 1Alt Urgell 1Aragonese Pyrenees 1Aranda de Duero 1Arévalo 1Ávila 1Bilbao 1Bizkaia 1Burgos 1Castellón de la Plana 1Cerdanya 1Córdoba 1El Puerto de Santa María 1Entzia 1Fuerteventura 1Gandia 1Gipuzkoa 1Girona 1Goierri 1Gorbea 1Gran Canaria 1Guijuelo 1Herbón 1Jabugo 1Jerez de la Frontera 1Jijona 1La Rioja 1León 1Liébana 1Lleida 1Los Pedroches 1Lugo 1Madrid region 1Málaga 1Mallorca 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
Paella 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreRice cooked with meat, seafood or vegetables in a wide shallow pan from Valencia Main dish, Lunch GazpachoVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreChilled soup of blended raw vegetables, served cold in Spain and Portugal Soup, Lunch, Dinner Oxtail stewMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreStew made with oxtail, found in many world cuisines Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner TocinoMeat 🇵🇭 Philippines and 5 moreCured or fried pork enjoyed in Spain, the Philippines, and the Caribbean Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch 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 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 Spanish omeletteVegetariantortilla de patatas 🇪🇸 SpainEgg and potato omelette, often served as a tapa in Spain Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Snails as foodMeat 🇲🇦 Morocco and 5 moreLand and sea snails prepared and eaten in many world cuisines Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Fabada asturianaMeatFabada 🇪🇸 SpainAsturian white bean stew with pork and sausage Stew or curry, Lunch Avgolemonoαυγολέμονο 🇬🇷 Greece and 4 moreGreek soup or sauce thickened with egg and lemon Soup, Lunch, Dinner Suckling pigMeat 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreWhole roasted piglet, prized for its tender meat and crisp skin Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Stuffed peppers 🇧🇬 Bulgaria and 5 moreBell peppers filled with seasoned mixtures and cooked until tender Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pa amb tomàquetVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreBread rubbed with tomato, olive oil and salt, central to Catalan food culture Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Patatas bravasVegan 🇪🇸 SpainCrisp potato cubes with a spicy paprika sauce from Spain Street food, Snacks, Lunch 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 Arròs negreFish or seafood 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreRice cooked with squid ink, cuttlefish or squid, and seafood broth Main dish, Lunch, Dinner 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 BotifarraMeat 🇪🇸 Spain and 6 moreA family of pork sausages central to Catalan and Latin American cooking Sausage or cured food, Lunch, Dinner Migas 🇪🇸 Spain and 2 moreA dish of leftover bread or tortillas, cooked with savoury ingredients Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch EscalivadaVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreCharred eggplant, peppers and other vegetables dressed with olive oil Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner EscudellaMeat 🇪🇸 SpainCatalan and Valencian soup with meat, vegetables, and a large spiced meatball Soup, Lunch, Dinner Tuna potFish or seafood 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreBasque and Cantabrian stew of tuna, potatoes, peppers and tomato Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner Squid (as food)Fish or seafood 🇯🇵 Japan and 5 moreSquid prepared and eaten in many ways around the world Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Polbo á feiraFish or seafood 🇪🇸 SpainOctopus boiled and dressed with olive oil, salt, and paprika, served hot Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Squid sandwichFish or seafoodbocadillo de calamares 🇪🇸 SpainFried squid rings in a crusty bread roll, a bar favorite in Madrid and beyond Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks Oxtail soupMeat 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreSoup made by simmering oxtail with vegetables and spices Soup, Lunch, Dinner PistoVegan 🇪🇸 SpainSpanish vegetable stew with tomato, peppers, and olive oil Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner Gofio 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreFinely milled roasted grain flour from the Canary Islands, used in many ways Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch CaldeiradaFish or seafood 🇵🇹 Portugal and 2 morePortuguese and Galician fish stew with potatoes and mixed seafood Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner Papas arrugadasVegan 🇪🇸 SpainSmall potatoes boiled in salty water and served with mojo sauce in the Canary Islands Street food, Lunch, Dinner Garlic soup 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreSoup centered on garlic, with bread, egg, or potatoes in regional styles Soup, Lunch, Dinner FideuàFish or seafood 🇪🇸 SpainSeafood and noodle dish from the Valencian coast, cooked in a wide shallow pan Main dish, Lunch, Dinner SumaghiyyehMeatالسماقية 🇵🇸 Palestine and 3 moreA tangy Palestinian stew with sumac, chard, beef and chickpeas Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner ChistorraMeat 🇪🇸 SpainThin, bright-red sausage from Navarre, often fried and served as a tapa Sausage or cured food, Snacks, Lunch Cocido madrileñoMeat 🇪🇸 SpainChickpea stew from Madrid, served in separate courses Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner CachopoMeat 🇪🇸 SpainBreaded veal fillets stuffed with ham and cheese, fried and served hot Main dish, Lunch, Dinner MazamorraKaguyjy 🇪🇸 Spain and 10 moreTraditional corn-based dessert or drink found across Spain and Latin America Drink, Breakfast, Lunch Bocadillo 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreA Spanish sandwich made with a baguette or similar bread, filled with meats or omelette Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Dinner EsqueixadaFish or seafood 🇪🇸 SpainCatalan salad of hand-torn salt cod, tomato, and vegetables Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner Moros y Cristianos 🇨🇺 Cuba and 1 moreCuban rice and black beans cooked together with vegetables and spices Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Longaniza 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA seasoned sausage with many regional styles across Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines Sausage or cured food, Breakfast, Lunch Cod tongueFish or seafood 🇳🇴 Norway and 5 moreChewy, boneless cut from the lower jaw of cod, prized in North Atlantic fishing cultures Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Bacalao al pil pilFish or seafood 🇪🇸 SpainSalted cod gently cooked in olive oil with garlic and a silky emulsion sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
More dishes

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

The weekly plate

Every Monday: seven dishes you may not know, what the world is cooking this week, and one way of eating.