Destination guides

Spain Guide - Eating Out

Eating out in Spain is usually cheap. It is possible to eat in a ‘fonda’ or ‘posada’ (inn), a ‘merendero’ (fish restaurant), an ‘hostería’ or a ‘restaurante’. The latter are classified by forks: one fork is the simplest and cheapest, five forks the most expensive. The majority of restaurants in Spain offer set menus as well as ‘à la carte’, and these prices will usually be displayed outside the establishment. One of the menus you see whilst in Spain maybe a ‘plato del día’ which varies from day to day. What looks like a menu with a large number of courses can be deceptive in some of the cheaper restaurants: fish, meat and vegetable courses often arrive together on the same plate in Spain. This is known as a ‘plato combinado’. A set menu normally includes soup (‘sopa’), one or two main courses, dessert (‘postre’), and bread and wine; coffee is always extra. Service whilst in Spain usually included in restaurant prices, but it is normal to leave a tip of 10% unless the service has been poor. If you ask for water you will be given, and charged for, mineral water unless you specifically request ‘agua de grifo’. However, it is not usually advisable to drink the tap water. When you want the bill, ask for ‘la cuenta’.

Spanish cooking is substantial rather than gourmet. One of the best ways to sample it can be to start the evening in a local bar where ‘tapas’ are served. Going on to the restaurant, the first course would probably be soup; most popular are ‘consomé al Jerez’ and ‘gazpacho’, a refreshing, chilled soup made from tomatoes, onion, green peppers and garlic. This may be followed by fresh fish, plainly grilled, fried squid (‘calamares’), shellfish served with garlic mayonnaise (‘aioli’), or ‘zarzuela’ (a spicy seafood stew). Meat in Spain is usually grilled or sometimes stewed with peppers and tomatoes (‘a la catalana’). Vegetables or salad are usually served separately. An alternative to both fish and meat is ‘paella’, rice flavoured with saffron and mixed with small pieces of meat and vegetables. The four most popular varieties are ‘catalana’ (sausages, pork, squid, tomato, peppers), ‘marinera’ (seafood), ‘zamorana’ (ham, pork trotters and peppers) and ‘valenciana’ (the classic ‘paella’ with chicken, shrimp, mussels, tomato, peppers, garlic, peas, etc).

All bars in Spain serve ‘tapas’. These are small portions of food served on saucers, which are eaten along with a drink at any time of the day, but particularly as appetizers. The easiest way to order is simply to point. Cafés and bars open in time for breakfast and close in the early hours of the morning. It is usual to leave loose change in bars or cafés in Spain Wine is very cheap in Spain. It is the cheapest and most commonly bought drink in bars, and the ‘vino de la casa’ in a restaurant is usually good value too. It can be ordered by the glass, bottle or in carafes of a quarter or half litre. The Rioja region produces the best red Spanish wines. Rioja Alta is the best area of Rioja.
The Catalan Tradition You will notice very quickly during any stay in this particular area of Spain, just how intensely aware the Catalan people are of their culture and traditions. Those who speak Castilian Spanish may be a little mystified to listen to locals chatting. Catalan is spoken widely and, although derived from Latin like Spanish and French, it is at times totally unrecognisable. Don’t worry unduly though, they do speak Castilian Spanish too! Art, music and dance are an integral part of the Catalan cultural heritage and there are numerous opportunities to enjoy colourful and lively festivals throughout the summer. Everyone is familiar with the more flamboyant flamenco style of music and dance which is performed throughout Spain, but particular to the Catalans are the ‘Sardana’, accompanied by pipe and drum, which are more graceful and sedate dances in which people of all ages participate. Visitors are always welcome to join in and the readiness to open the circle to strangers is symbolic of the warm and friendly nature of the Catalan people who are always proud to share their customs.


Spanish beach
Spain