What to Eat in Spain: the 12 Typical Dishes of Spanish Cuisine you absolutely must try!
If you’re wondering What to Eat in Spain, get ready to embark on a delicious culinary journey. Discover the Typical Dishes of Spanish Cuisine, those iconic Spanish Dishes that make Spanish cuisine one of the most beloved in the world. From tapas to hearty main courses, these Typical Dishes in Spain will amaze you.
In this article I take you with me on a discovery of 12 typical dishes in Spain that won me over: from the great classics like paella valenciana to irresistible desserts like crema catalana and churros con chocolate. Here is my selection of the best dishes to try in Spain, with stories, ingredients and tips on where to taste them.
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Paella Valenciana, de Mariscos, and Mixta
When pondering What to Eat in Spain, you must start with paella—the flagship of Typical Dishes of Spanish Cuisine. Authentic Spanish Dishes here include Paella Valenciana, made with bomba rice, rabbit, chicken, vegetables, saffron, and sometimes snails. Other Spanish Dishes include seafood versions like Paella de Mariscos. Sampling paella is a top pick in Spanish cuisine and among the most memorable Typical Dishes in Spain.
The real, authentic Valencian paella originates around the Valencian Community and is cooked in a low, wide pan called a “paellera.” Before serving, each paella rests for a few minutes to allow the rice to absorb all the broth-the perfect time to grab a saucer and get ready to share the pan, as tradition dictates.
In Valencia, rightly considered the City of Paella, I tasted it in a small hidden restaurant where we were the only tourists, cooked in orange wood, with the perfect balance of meat and vegetables.
Tendentially, however, my favorite version is paella “de mariscos,” with mussels, shrimp and squid, made rich by fish stew. In Seville, enjoying a beautiful Paella with a view of Giralda was pure poetry!!!
Calamares Fritos
Fried calamares are another of the great dishes in Spain not to be missed, perfect as a tapa or main course. Simple, crispy and flavorful, fried calamares are a great classic Spanish cuisine dish, especially in coastal cities. In Madrid, I ate them in the famous Mercado de San Miguel: crispy outside, tender inside, served with lemon and a spectacular garlic sauce.
The simplicity of this dish lies in the ingredients: fresh squid, light breading and hot olive oil. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet so irresistible that I ordered them several times during my trips to Spain.
Chorizo
Spicy, vibrant, and deeply rooted in Spanish cuisine, Chorizo is a standout among Spanish Dishes and a gem in the list of Typical Dishes of Spanish Cuisine. Whether served on its own or included in other dishes, this cured sausage is essential to What to Eat in Spain, offering bold flavor in every bite.
Gazpacho
If you’re deciding What to Eat in Spain during hot weather, Gazpacho is the ideal cool-down. As a revered soup in Typical Dishes of Spanish Cuisine, Gazpacho exemplifies crisp freshness. This cold Spanish soup is one of the best-known Spanish Dishes and a classic Typical Dish in Spain for summer eating.
They serve it everywhere, even in walking glasses! But the best gazpacho I have tasted in a little restaurant tucked away in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, served with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and croutons. It is one of the must-try dishes in Spain, absolutely!
Jamón Ibérico
When exploring What to Eat in Spain, Jamón Ibérico is unequivocal royalty among Spanish Dishes. As one of the finest Typical Dishes of Spanish Cuisine, it represents the pinnacle of Spanish cured meats: nutty, silky, and utterly delicious.
In Toledo, I attended a tasting where they explained the differences between jamón serrano and ibérico, masterfully cutting it by hand, slice by slice. In every Spanish bar, you will find it served on wooden trays with bread and olive oil.
Pulpo a la Gallega
Pulpo a la gallega, or Galician-style octopus, is one of the most amazing typical Spanish dishes I have ever eaten. It is the perfect combination of two of my favorite ingredients: octopus and paprika!
The octopus is slow cooked, then served on a bed of potatoes with sweet paprika, coarse salt and olive oil.
In Ibiza, I tasted a very tender octopus, served with boiled potatoes on the bottom that absorbed all the seasoning. The mix between the sweetness of the octopus and the spicy touch of paprika is perfect.
Patatas Bravas
Patatas bravas are unmissable among the must-try dishes in Spain. You can find them in any bar or restaurant that serves tapas. They are simple fried potatoes, but the magic is in the sauce: a spicy brava made with tomato, paprika and vinegar, and often with a touch of aioli.
The best ones? Hard to say but…in Zaragoza, at a modern place that served a revamped version with crispy chips and smoked sauce. A real bomb of flavour!
Tortilla de Patatas
Another staple of typical Spanish dishes, tortilla de patatas is a tall, fluffy omelet made with eggs, potatoes and onions (although there are great debates in Spain about this last ingredient!). It may sound simple, but every region – indeed, every cook – has its own version.
I have eaten it almost everywhere, the first time even during the cultural exchange organized by my high school in Pamplona, prepared at home by my host family, as well as a snack to be enjoyed during the day.
In Madrid I tried a tortilla creamy inside, almost liquid, cut into wedges like a cake. Some places also serve it cold, cubed, as a tapa. It is a simple but surprisingly tasty dish, and can be enjoyed at any time of day.
La Fabada Asturiana
A dish typical of Asturias but found throughout Spain, Asturian fabada is a rich stew made with white beans (fabes), chorizo, morcilla (black pudding) and bacon. A powerful dish, ideal for cold days.
In San Sebastián, I ordered it in a rustic tavern and it was served piping hot in an earthenware bowl: a flavor bomb, perfect to enjoy with some bread for scarpetta. It is not super light, but it is one of the typical dishes in Spain that best tells the story of peasant tradition.
Churros con Chocolate
Finally, I cannot fail to mention the legendary churros con chocolate, a typical breakfast (or snack!) that won me over from the first bite. Churros are long, crispy pancakes, dusted with sugar and to be dipped in a cup of thick chocolate.
In Madrid, Chocolatería San Ginés is a true institution. Having breakfast there with churros and hot chocolate is a ritual, and you quickly understand why: it’s a mouth-watering pampering you never forget.
Catalan Cream
Moving on to desserts, crema catalana is a typical dessert from Catalonia, similar to the French crème brûlée but flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest. The caramelized surface is broken with a teaspoon to reveal a silky, fragrant cream.
In Barcelona, but also in Ibiza, I have often seen it served in small earthenware bowls. The scent of cinnamon and lemon is intoxicating, and the contrast between the crunchy top and the soft cream underneath is irresistible.
La Sangria
Okay, I know sangria is not a dish, but it is impossible not to mention it when talking about typical dishes in Spain. This drink made from red wine, chopped fruit, sugar, cinnamon and liqueur is a classic of Spanish evenings.
In Seville and Ibiza, they serve it in large glass carafes with lots of ice and citrus slices. Each restaurant has its own recipe, but the result is always fresh, fruity, and pleasant-the perfect pairing with tapas, paella, or a terrace dinner.
Each dish I have listed tells a story, a region, a piece of life lived. Spanish cuisine is authentic, colorful, generous. Whether you are traveling to the heart of Castile or along the Mediterranean coast, you will always find typical Spanish dishes that will surprise you.
If you’re short on time, choose carefully: rely on places frequented by Spaniards and let them advise you. I did, and I have never regretted it.
These 12 are just the beginning of what you can discover: each region has its own typical dishes in Spain and, believe me, each bite is a little journey within the journey.
Enjoy… or rather, ¡buen provecho!
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