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
Bocadillo de Calamares clásico

Squid sandwich

In its own language: bocadillo de calamares

Fried squid rings in a crusty bread roll, a bar favorite in Madrid and beyond

Photo: Tamorlan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The squid sandwich, or bocadillo de calamares, is a Spanish bar snack made by filling a sliced roll with fried, battered squid rings. Most popular in Madrid, it is usually served hot and fresh, sometimes with spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise, and often enjoyed with a cold beer.

Share on WhatsApp

  • A Madrid bar staple, especially around Plaza Mayor
  • Made with thick rings of battered, fried squid in a crusty roll
  • Zaragoza is known for a spicy version with tomato sauce and garlic mayo
  • Often served hot with a cold beer
  • Found in bars across northern Spain as well

What is Squid sandwich?

A squid sandwich is a simple Spanish snack where rings of squid are coated in flour and fried until golden, then packed into a crusty bread roll that is sliced on one side. The squid is usually cut into thick rings, giving the sandwich a chewy and crisp texture. In some versions, a spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise are added for extra flavor. The sandwich is often served hot and may be finished with a squeeze of lemon. It is a common sight in bars, especially in Madrid.

Where does Squid sandwich come from?

The squid sandwich is closely linked to Madrid, where it is a staple in bars around Plaza Mayor and nearby streets. Its popularity spread from the capital to other parts of Spain, especially regions with access to fresh squid like Cantabria and the Basque Country. In Zaragoza, a variation with spicy sauce became traditional. The sandwich’s roots are in the Spanish custom of serving simple, hearty snacks in bars, and it remains a symbol of Madrid’s casual eating culture.

How is Squid sandwich made?

To make a squid sandwich, squid is sliced into thick rings, dusted with flour and baking powder, then fried in hot oil—often olive oil—until crisp and golden. The bread, usually a baguette or similar roll, is cut open on one side and filled with the hot fried squid. In Zaragoza and some other places, spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise are added. Some versions include a squeeze of lemon or a spread of mayonnaise for extra taste.

Bocadillo de Calamares
Bocadillo de Calamares. Photo: Tamorlan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bocadillo de Calamares (Madrid) en una baguette
Bocadillo de Calamares (Madrid) en una baguette. Photo: Tamorlan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bocadillos de calamares bravos en Zaragoza acompañados de una caña
Bocadillos de calamares bravos en Zaragoza acompañados de una caña. Photo: Arttikusbcn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Squid sandwich eaten?

Squid sandwiches are most often eaten as a snack or quick lunch, especially in bars and cafés. In Madrid, they are a classic order with a cold beer, particularly in the Plaza Mayor area. The sandwich is served hot and fresh, sometimes with a wedge of lemon or a dollop of mayonnaise. It is a casual food, eaten standing or sitting at the bar, and is popular with locals and visitors alike.

Kinds of Squid sandwich

While the classic Madrid version is simply fried squid in bread, Zaragoza is known for its spicy version with tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise. In northern Spain, especially in Cantabria and the Basque Country, fresh squid is used and the preparation is similar. Some places add fried breadcrumbs to the filling, and each bar may have its own twist on the bread or sauces. Madrid even has 'Squid Sandwich Routes' for tasting different versions.

What Squid sandwich means

The squid sandwich is an everyday food but has become a symbol of Madrid’s bar scene. It is especially associated with the Plaza Mayor, where many bars serve their own take on the sandwich. In Zaragoza, the spicy version is part of local tradition. The sandwich is often enjoyed with a beer, making it a staple of social gatherings and casual outings. Special routes and events celebrate its place in local food culture.

Questions people ask about Squid sandwich

What is a squid sandwich made of?

It is made by filling a sliced bread roll with battered and fried squid rings. Some versions add spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise, and a squeeze of lemon is sometimes used.

Where does the squid sandwich come from?

The squid sandwich is most closely linked to Madrid, Spain, where it is a popular bar snack. It is also found in Zaragoza, Cantabria, and the Basque Country.

How is the squid prepared for the sandwich?

Squid is cut into thick rings, coated in flour and baking powder, and then deep-fried in hot oil until golden and crisp.

Is the squid sandwich served hot or cold?

It is usually served hot and freshly made, often accompanied by a cold beer.

Are there different versions of the squid sandwich?

Yes, the classic Madrid version is plain, while Zaragoza is known for adding spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise. Other regions may use fresh squid or add fried breadcrumbs.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Squid sandwich", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). 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.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

More from Spain

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

Its cousins elsewhere

All sandwiches and wraps
BLTMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA sandwich filled with bacon, lettuce, and tomato, often with mayonnaise Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks completoMeat 🇨🇱 Chile and 1 moreA Chilean hot dog loaded with tomato, avocado, mayonnaise and other toppings Street food, Lunch, Dinner Club sandwichMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreA three-layer toasted sandwich with poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks ChivitoMeat 🇺🇾 Uruguay and 1 moreUruguay’s signature sandwich with beef, cheese, ham and more in a bun Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Dinner

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.