Spanish Cuisine: More than Paella!
Spain is home to some of the world’s best restaurants. With so many internationally recognized restaurants in such a small country, it’s only natural that the local cuisine is spectacular! Read on to learn about Spain’s best dishes.
Questions This Article Answers
Is paella the best dish in Spain?
What dishes should I try in Spain?
Should tortilla española include onion?
What are the most popular types of croquetas?
Is Iberian ham worth trying?
While paella(paella) and sangría(sangria) are arguably two of Spain’s most well-known exports, Spain has so much more to offer! In this article, we’ll talk about some of Spain’s best dishes.
More about Spanish Paella
Want to know more about paella? Check out this article!
Let’s get started with the top ten foods to try in Spain!
The Top Ten Dishes to Try in Spain
1. Tortilla española(Spanish omelet): Also known as tortilla de patatas, this delicious Spanish omelet is made with potatoes, eggs, and—oftentimes—onion. (More on that later!) It’s a versatile dish, and can be served with many different toppings, such as bonito con mayonesa(tuna with mayonnaise), boloñesa(Bolognese sauce), or jamón york y queso(ham and cheese)! Let us warn you, though. The con cebolla(with onion) and sin cebolla(without onion) debate among tortilla lovers is fierce. However, a 2021 study showed that over 70% of Spaniards are concebollistas(fans of Spanish omelet with onion).
2. Jamón(ham): Star of many of Spain’s tapas(tapas), jamón (or its top-shelf cousin jamón ibérico, Iberian ham) is one of the most Spanish foods there is. It’s similar to Italian prosciutto or French Bayonne ham, but the taste is reportedly slightly more aggressive. If you can find a tapa or bocadillo(baguette sandwich) with jamón ibérico, it’s worth the splurge.
Tapas Time
Tapas sound good? Check out our Guide to Spanish Tapas!
3. Queso(cheese): The queso is so good in Spain that we couldn’t choose just one variety to mention! From the internationally renowned queso manchego(Manchego cheese) to the Basque Country’s Idiazabaland Cabralescheese from Asturias, it’s all good! You’ll find cheese made from leche de vaca(cow milk), leche de oveja(sheep milk), and leche de cabra(goat milk) throughout Spain. Some cheeses even use a mix of milks!
Finding Spectacular Cheese
Keep your eye out for the World Cheese Awards logo. Cheese makers who have won this award often proudly display its logo on their cheeses!
4. Cocido(stew): It seems like every region of Spain has their own cocido! Madridhas the cocido madrileño(Madrid stew), made with chickpeas, vegetables, and meat. Cantabriahas cocido montañés(literally, mountain stew), made with beans, pork, and collard greens. Whichever region you’re in, it probably has its own stew.
5. Migas(fried breadcrumbs): This seemingly super-simple dish is simply delicious. To make migas, all you need is garlic, olive oil, bread, and chorizo. Pan-fry them together, and you’ve got migas! They’re even more delicious with a few sliced grapes to give a cool, sweet sensation to this admittedly heavy dish.
6. Gazpacho(gazpacho): This vegan-friendly dish is perfect on a hot summer’s day! It’s made with tomato, cucumber, pepper, garlic, bread, water, and sherry vinegar, although each family’s recipe may vary. It’s a great way to beat the heat!
7. Pulpo a la gallega(Galician-style octopus): Galiciais famous for its seafood, but pulpo is its star dish. Pulpo a la gallega is boiled octopus tentacles over sliced boiled potatoes, sprinkled with paprika.
8. Legumbres(legumes): Alubias(beans), lentejas(lentils), or garbanzos(garbanzo beans)—it doesn’t matter. Legumes are a staple in the Spanish diet! They’re most often served as part of a stew with meat, like pork ribs or chorizo, and vegetables.
9. Croquetas(croquettes): Spanish croquetas are the ultimate way to use up your leftovers. It pretty much doesn’t matter what you fill these fried balls of béchamel sauce with, it all tastes good! The most popular types of croquetas that you’ll find in bars and restaurants are croquetas de jamón(ham croquettes), croquetas de queso(cheese croquettes), croquetas de pollo(chicken croquettes), and croquetas de cocido(stew croquettes).
10. Churros con chocolate(churros with thick hot chocolate): Churros con chocolate are the ultimate post-fiesta(party) snack! Just remember that Spanish hot chocolate is far thicker than it is in the United States and Canada; it often has a pudding-like consistency!
We hope we've whetted your appetite and that you have some ideas about what to try the next time you’re in Spain—or at a Spanish restaurant! ¡Que aproveche!(Bon appetit!)
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