There’s something truly special about eating your way through Spain. The food’s just as varied and colourful as the country itself – whether you’re sunbathing on a beach in Barcelona or wandering around Seville’s cobbled streets, you’re never far from something delicious.
And if you’re heading off or planning a holiday to Tenerife, get ready for some seriously tasty fresh seafood and local specialities that reflect the local history. Take Canarian Potatoes (Papas arrugadas) for example, this dish evolved from this strange tuber brought back from the New World of South America. Today, you will find this dish in almost all the local restaurants, served with 2 delicious sauces, red and green mojo.
Spanish cuisine is all about slowing down, sharing a bite, and enjoying the moment. Have you tried any of these dishes yet?
Paella
Tortilla Española
This classic Spanish omelette is proper comfort food. Tortilla Española (or Spanish omelette) is simple, just eggs, potatoes, and onions. But don’t be fooled by how simple it sounds; it’s quite the perfect bite. Using a lot of local olive oil, the onions are sweated down until very soft before adding the other ingredients. The result is a unique egg and potato cake, full off flavour.
You’ll find it in nearly every bar and café, served cold in little tapas portions or hot as a full-on meal. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a midnight snack after a few drinks.
Gazpacho
Imagine a hot day on a Spanish beach and don’t feel like a full on lunch. Gazpacho’s the answer. This chilled tomato soup comes from Andalusia and is full of fresh summer veggies like cucumber, peppers, and onion.  If you visit in the warmer months, don’t miss a good gazpacho made with local tomtatoes.
It’s super refreshing and packed with flavour, ideal when the sun’s blazing and you want something light but tasty. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs on top, and you’re sorted. You can even make it at home but make sure you use really good tomatoes like from the Isle of Wight. Good tomatoes are what makes the flavour of this soup so irresistable.
Chorizo
Let’s talk about chorizo, Spain’s spicy, smoky sausage that packs a real punch. Whether it’s sliced up and served as part of a tapas spread or cooked into stews and rice dishes, this highly flavoured sausage always brings the flavour. Made with paprika and garlic, chorizo can be either cured and ready to eat or fresh and perfect for cooking.
You’ll find it everywhere, in sandwiches, on pizzas, or sizzling away in a pan with some red wine. It’s hearty, rich, and full of character.
Jamón Ibérico
If you only try one thing in Spain, make it Jamón Ibérico. This is the best cured ham in Spain, salty, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. The best ones comes from acorn-fed fed free-range Iberian pigs and is cured for ages to get that deep, rich flavour. You’ll usually find it served in thin slices alongside little bread sticks, olives or cheese.
It’s simple, but every bite’s a reminder of how good food in Spain in never far away. This is also the best food souvenir to buy but make sure you choose the real thing.
Tapas or PIntxos
Tapas or Pintxos, originally served as a freebie piece of bread in bars to cover your glass with. Since then, it has evolved into a whole category of Spanish cuisine with tapas only restaurants sprouting up not just in Spain but around the world. It’s all about sharing small plates, trying a bit of everything, and taking your time over a meal with mates.
From crispy patatas bravas to gildas, grilled octopus, garlicky prawns or just a bowl of olives, there’s a lot of different textures and flavours. It’s a great way to explore the country’s flavours without having to commit to one big dish. So next time you’re in Spain, grab a drink, order a few tapas and let your taste buds explore new flavours.
Churros con Chocolate
In many Spanish cities, you will find these street food stalls luring you with the delicious smells of fried churros. These golden sticks of fried dough are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and totally addictive. You can’t go wrong with churros dipped in thick, warm chocolate. Enjoy them for breakfast or as an afternoon pick-me-up or just because you found a stall on your way to the beach.
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