Spanish Food and Drink
Quick Guide to Traditional Spanish Food and Drink
Food
The range and quality of Spanish food is one of the highlights of a visit to the country. Spain is also one of the most pleasant places in which to eat - restaurants are mostly relaxed and friendly. Eating out is a daily treat for the Spanish and their guests alike.
One of the best ways to sample the food is to eat tapas. Rather than buying a starter and a main course, you get lots of small dishes which everyone at the table shares. Just about anything you could want to eat is available as a tapas dish - including meat, seafood, potato and rice dishes and vegetables. Try patatas bravas, a spicy Catalonian potato dish. Most tapas dishes cost between EUR2 and EUR7. In many bars a few tapas will be served free.
Seafood plays a big part in Spanish meals. Calamari (squid) is generally excellent, while shellfish, octopus and cod are all popular. In the Basque regions squid in its own ink is a gourmet dish.
There is also plenty of meat: the range and quality of cured serrano ham is superb. There is a good range of sausages and regional delicacies such as Riñones al Jerez (kidneys in sherry) and Cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) are increasingly available across the country.
Specialities
Churros con chocolate is the essential Spanish breakfast consisting of long tubular doughnuts with thick drinking chocolate.
Cocido is a stew featuring cabbage, chickpeas, onions and beef, pork or sausage and is one of the few genuine Madrid specialities.
Callos a la Madrileña (tripe and sausage) is another traditional Madrileño dish that tastes better than it sounds.
Cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) is a speciality further north in Segovia.
Gazpacho (chilled tomato and cucumber soup) is a delicious Spanish appetiser found throughout the country.
Paella, which originates in Valencia, is popular all over Spain. Typically incorporating fish, this hearty meal may contain rabbit or chicken in the north of the country.
Drink
The Spanish are social drinkers, and enjoy a good selection of local wines and beers. Wine is invariably served with every meal and is typically inexpensive, often cheaper than beer. Specify tinto (red), blanco (white) or rosado (rosé). Typical varieties include Rioja from Logrono, and Penedes from Catalonia.
Andalucia prides itself on its sherry, or Vino de Jerez. Lager is called Cerveza, and is served throughout the country.
Sangria, is a mixture of red wine and fruit juice most often served in tourist bars and fiestas. Be warned: the innocuous flavour masks a high potential for intoxication.
Coffee is served espresso-style and is a good way to begin undoing the damage of a sangria evening.