Spanish cuisine.
Start with a taste.

WHAT TO EAT

Local dishes, explained.

These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bocadillo de calamares

A crusty roll filled with fried squid; a central-Madrid staple.

Editorial budget: €5–9

Where to look: Sandwich bars around Plaza Mayor

Find Bocadillo de calamares in Madrid ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Cocido madrileño

A substantial chickpea-and-meat stew, often served in stages.

Editorial budget: €25–45

Where to look: Traditional Madrid restaurants

Find Cocido madrileño in Madrid ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Churros with chocolate

Fried dough dipped into thick hot chocolate.

Editorial budget: €6–10

Where to look: Chocolaterías around the centre

Find Churros with chocolate in Madrid ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bacalao tapas

Fried cod pieces or croquettes, a convenient small bite.

Editorial budget: €5–12 for a small order

Where to look: Casa Labra

Find Bacalao tapas in Madrid ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Tortilla española

Potato-and-egg omelette, served as a slice or larger portion.

Editorial budget: €4–8 per slice

Where to look: Tapas bars in La Latina

Find Tortilla española in Madrid ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Espinacas con garbanzos

Spinach and chickpeas with warming spices; ask whether the preparation suits your diet.

Editorial budget: €4–7 for a tapa

Where to look: Traditional tapas bars including El Rinconcillo

Find Espinacas con garbanzos in Seville ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Gazpacho

A chilled tomato-and-vegetable soup suited to warm weather.

Editorial budget: €4–8

Where to look: Andalusian lunch menus

Find Gazpacho in Seville ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Salmorejo

A thicker chilled tomato preparation, often garnished with egg and ham.

Editorial budget: €4–8

Where to look: Tapas bars; ask to omit ham if needed

Find Salmorejo in Seville ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Pringá montadito

A small roll filled with slow-cooked meat.

Editorial budget: €3–6

Where to look: Traditional neighbourhood bars

Find Pringá montadito in Seville ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Pescaíto frito

Small fried fish, commonly ordered to share.

Editorial budget: €8–18 depending on portion

Where to look: Fish and tapas bars

Find Pescaíto frito in Seville ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Pa amb tomàquet

Bread rubbed with tomato and dressed with olive oil; often an accompaniment rather than a complete meal.

Editorial budget: €3–7

Where to look: Catalan restaurants and sandwich bars

Find Pa amb tomàquet in Barcelona ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Escalivada

Roasted vegetables, typically aubergine and peppers, served as a starter or topping.

Editorial budget: €8–15

Where to look: Catalan kitchens

Find Escalivada in Barcelona ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Crema catalana

Custard with a caramelised sugar crust.

Editorial budget: €5–9

Where to look: Catalan dessert menus

Find Crema catalana in Barcelona ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bombes

Fried potato balls, often with meat and sauce; check the filling.

Editorial budget: €3–6 each

Where to look: Barceloneta tapas bars

Find Bombes in Barcelona ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bocadillos

Filled rolls offer a simple way to keep lunch spending predictable.

Editorial budget: €5–10

Where to look: Can Paixano and neighbourhood sandwich counters

Find Bocadillos in Barcelona ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Tapas with a drink

A small savoury dish may accompany an eligible drink; confirm the house policy.

Drink price varies; do not assume every tapa is free

Where to look: Central tapas bars

Find Tapas with a drink in Granada ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Habas con jamón

Broad beans cooked with ham, a hearty regional plate.

Editorial budget: €10–18

Where to look: Traditional Andalusian restaurants

Find Habas con jamón in Granada ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Pionono

A small syrup-soaked pastry associated with nearby Santa Fe.

Editorial budget: €2–4 each

Where to look: Granada pastry shops

Find Pionono in Granada ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Fried fish

Lightly battered seafood served as tapas or larger portions.

Editorial budget: €8–18 for a purchased portion

Where to look: Los Diamantes

Find Fried fish in Granada ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Tortilla del Sacromonte

A rich omelette traditionally containing offal; check the recipe before ordering.

Editorial budget: €10–18

Where to look: Traditional Granada kitchens

Find Tortilla del Sacromonte in Granada ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Paella valenciana

Traditionally a rice dish with ingredients from the land, not simply any mixed seafood rice. Reserve it for lunch and ask about minimum portions.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: Casa Carmela, Malvarrosa

Find Paella valenciana in Valencia ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Horchata with fartons

Chilled tiger-nut drink with long sweet buns; a useful alcohol-free tasting stop.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: Horchatería Santa Catalina

Find Horchata with fartons in Valencia ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Esgarraet

Roasted pepper and salt-cod preparation, usually an appetiser; confirm the fish content and serving size.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: Traditional Valencian restaurants

Find Esgarraet in Valencia ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

All i pebre

Garlic-and-pepper stew associated with the Albufera, traditionally with eel; do not assume every version uses the same fish.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: Regional rice restaurants

Find All i pebre in Valencia ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Fideuà

A noodle-based relative of rice dishes, often cooked with seafood stock; confirm allergens and the minimum number of portions.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: Beachfront Valencian restaurants

Find Fideuà in Valencia ↗

GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE

Find restaurants by city.

Different places. Different flavours.

Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.

Plan your food budget.

Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.