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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
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 Oxtail stewMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreStew made with oxtail, found in many world cuisines Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner JeropigaVegan 🇵🇹 Portugal and 1 morePortuguese sweet fortified drink made by adding aguardente to grape must Drink MolleteVegetarian 🇲🇽 Mexico and 6 moreOpen-faced Mexican sandwich with refried beans and melted cheese Bread, Breakfast, Snacks 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 MeatballMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreGround meat shaped into balls and cooked by frying, baking, or braising in sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Cheesecake 🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreA chilled dessert of sweetened soft cheese on a crumb or pastry base Sweet or dessert, Snacks 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 Chocolate cakeVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreCake made with chocolate or cocoa, often layered or topped with icing Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks 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 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 Avgolemonoαυγολέμονο 🇬🇷 Greece and 4 moreGreek soup or sauce thickened with egg and lemon Soup, Lunch, Dinner MacaroonVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreSweet biscuit or small cake made from nuts or coconut and egg whites Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Suckling pigMeat 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreWhole roasted piglet, prized for its tender meat and crisp skin Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Cabrales cheese 🇪🇸 SpainBlue cheese from Asturias aged in mountain caves Cheese or dairy food 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 Aguardiente 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA strong distilled spirit made from sugarcane, fruit, or grains, popular in Iberian and Latin regions Drink Buñuelo 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreCrisp or fluffy fried dough, sweet or savory, enjoyed across Spain and Latin America Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Breakfast Patatas bravasVegan 🇪🇸 SpainCrisp potato cubes with a spicy paprika sauce from Spain Street food, Snacks, Lunch Beaujolais nouveauVegan 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreYoung red wine from France, released each November just weeks after harvest Drink OrujoVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreStrong, clear pomace spirit distilled from grape residue in northern Spain Drink ChurrascoMeat 🇧🇷 Brazil and 6 moreGrilled meat, often beef, cooked over coals or on skewers in South America and Iberia Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Adobo 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA marinade or sauce of paprika, garlic, salt, vinegar and spices from Iberia Sauce, pickle or ferment 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 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
More dishes

Photo credits on this page

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

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