Buen Provecho: The Top 10 Must-Try Foods in Spain

bread with brie and orange marmalade from a tapas bar in Seville
Bread with brie and orange marmalade from a tapas bar in Seville

They say travel is food for the soul, but even the busiest travelers get hungry! Spain is home to some of the most extraordinary flavors and unique dishes in the world. If you want a full and authentic Spanish experience, you’ll have to try this list of the top 10 Spanish dishes.

Here are a few things to remember before you dig in:

  • Spaniards tend to avoid spicy food. My host mom could hold all the home’s spices in two hands, while my house back in the U.S. has an entire spice cabinet! My host sister even told me once that regular fried chicken was too spicy.
  • Tapas bars are an amazing and affordable way to eat out in Spain. It’s a great way to try lots of different dishes in one meal.
  • Restaurants in Spain won’t split checks for you. During my semester abroad, only one restaurant offered to split a check between me and my friends. It’s not a big deal; it only means that each meal comes with a side order of math.
Pea soup from a seaside eatery in Alicante
Pea soup from a seaside eatery in Alicante

10. Bizcocho

Bizcocho is a Spanish sponge cake, often topped with sugar.

Bizcocho from Barraca Toni Montoliu farm and restaurant in Valencia, Spain.
Bizcocho from Barraca Toni Montoliu farm and restaurant in Valencia, Spain.

9. Bocadillos

Bocadillos are simple sandwiches made with baguette, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and olive oil, or any combination of these. Many bocadillos are made with jamón ibérico, a cured ham typical of Spain. The best calamari bocadillos can be found at El Tostadero in Valencia!

8. Tortilla de Patata

Tortilla de patata is like an omelet made of eggs, potatoes, and sometimes, onion. It is often served on or with some bread.

Tortilla de patata from Mayan Coffee in Valencia
Tortilla de patata from Mayan Coffee in Valencia

7. Croquetas de Jamón

Croquettes are common in a lot of cultures. They are fried rolls with mashed potatoes and ham on the inside. A must-try at any tapas bar!

Ham croquetas with aioli at a tapas bar in Valencia
Ham croquettes with aioli at a tapas bar in Valencia

6. Fresh Fruit and Juice

Fresh-squeezed orange juice at Spanish cafes is absolutely fantastic! I loved taking advantage of all the fresh fruit, especially the €1 fruit cups at the Central Market.

Delicious fresh fruit with cream in Peñiscola, Spain
Delicious fresh fruit with cream in Peñiscola, Spain

5. Horchata

Horchata is a sweet, milky beverage that originated in Valencia. It’s a little different from Mexican horchata but will not disappoint!

4. Café con Leche

Bakeries in Spain are a dime a dozen, serving wonderful pastries and coffee. Café con Leche means coffee with milk, and it is similar to a cappuccino.

Pastries and coffee from Mayan Coffee
Pastries and coffee from Mayan Coffee, my favorite cafe

3. Churros or Buñuelos with Chocolate

Churros and buñuelos are fried dough delicacies to be dipped in hot chocolate. In Spain, hot chocolate is simply melted chocolate, unlike in America where it is diluted with water or milk. Once you’ve finished your churros, drink the rich chocolate and enjoy!

Rich melted chocolate and churros from Chocolatería Valor in the Plaza de la Reina
Rich melted chocolate and churros from Chocolatería Valor in the Plaza de la Reina

2. Patatas Bravas

My favorite tapa, patatas bravas, consists of cooked potatoes served in a warm sauce. Every place prepares them differently, so it’s best to try them all!

Patatas bravas from a charming cafe in Madrid
Patatas bravas from a charming cafe in Madrid

1. Paella Valenciana

You simply cannot leave Spain without trying paella. Valencia is the paella capital of the world and it did not disappoint! Paella Valenciana is made with rice, chicken, vegetables, and various spices. You can also try seafood paella or Arroz al Horno, a similar rice dish that I highly recommend.

Seafood paella served fresh at Playa de las Arenas
Seafood paella served fresh at Playa de las Arenas

Keep an open mind and enjoy all the exceptional cuisine Spain has to offer. ¡Buen provecho!

Julia Barclay is a student at the University of Louisville and an ISA Featured Blogger. She studied abroad with ISA in Valencia, Spain.

Leave a Reply