Wondering what to eat in Spain? When visiting Spain for the first time, deciding on which Spanish dishes to eat can be a bit overwhelming, since the choice of Spanish food is really large. Most people will know Paella, Sangria and Tapas as Spanish main dishes or drinks, but you will be surprised about how many Spanish foods there are in Spain.

 

Best Spanish food in Spain to try Spanish dishes and Spanish cuisine
The Spanish Food culture is really big and very important to the country. And this food culture in Spain extends to the local regions who each have their own traditional dishes of which they are very proud.

Choosing which food to eat in Spain can be tough when you only have a limited amount of time. In this food guide I have listed the most popular Spanish foods as well as regional Spanish dishes you can eat in Spain, as recommended by fellow food and travel bloggers. 

Parrillada de Verduras

Recommended by The Nomadic Vegan

 

Parrillada de verduras is a dish with grilled vegetables from Spain
 

Parrillada de verduras is a deceptively simple dish that quickly became one of my favorites when traveling in Spain. A parrillada is a barbecue, or really any kind of food that’s cooked on a grill. And verduras are vegetables, so a parrillada de verduras is a plate of grilled vegetables. In Spain, these usually include common Mediterranean vegetables like eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers, which are grilled and tossed in olive oil.

The quality of the locally grown produce in Spain is generally excellent, and every time I’ve ordered this dish it has been bursting with flavor. It’s a great option for anyone looking for vegetarian Spanish food or vegan food in Spain, but most tourists don’t seem to know about it. I’ve heard many people complain about the lack of vegetables in jamón-loving Spain, but in reality, a parrillada de verduras is never far away. Even if you don’t see it on the menu, many restaurants will be able to whip it up on request.

Tortilla de Patata or Spanish Omelette

Recommended by The Travelling Chilli

Slice of Tortilla de patatas or Spanish Omelette or Tortilla Española
The Spanish Omelette is locally called Tortilla Española or Tortilla de Patatas. This is one of the traditional Spanish dishes that is widely known and eaten all over Spain. The Spanish Omelette is traditionally made with eggs, potatoes and olive oil. In most cases however, onion is added to give the dish a punch of sweetness. It looks like an easy dish to cook with just a few ingredients, but it’s not as simple as it looks and requires some practise to cook the omelette as it should be and to the perfect height.

In Spain the Tortilla de Patatas is often eaten as a little snack and served as a Spanish tapa on a slice of bread. It can also be eaten as a light meal during dinner. I personally like to prepare it to take on a picnic or as a starter during a meal with friends. I cut it into little squares for which it is served perfectly as finger food. The advantage is that the Spanish Omelette can be served hot as well as cold. And remember when preparing the tortilla to only use good quality Spanish olive oil to get the best flavour and make it finger-licking good.

What is also good to know is that the recipe is not set in stone. This means I like to add a few extra items of my own. Such ingredients include bell pepper, chorizo and tomato.

Patatas Bravas

Recommended by Backpackers Wro
 

Patatas bravas con salsa piquante are fried potatos with a spicy tomato sauce Spain
 Way better than fries and tastier than baked potatoes. Patatas bravas are a perfect mixture of fried potatoes and delicious salsas. It is a typical Spanish fast-food, street-food, you can call it as you want. Potatoes are cut into small cubes and fried in oil. They are usually served as a tapa or bigger appetizer, always accompanied by dips or toppings (for example, spicy tomato sauce, chorizo, chicken). Typically one serving contains a quarter kilo of potatoes.

The origin of the dish is not clear however, they got trendy in the 1960s thanks to the special salsa invented in one of the local bars in Madrid. Currently, you can find delicious patatas bravas in throughout Spain, and some cities are famous for their unique salsa recipes. Our favourite choice is patatas bravas from Barcelona. They are served in the Catalan style with garlic aioli dip or with spicy salsa or mayonnaise. You can also buy them frozen together with the salsa or make them at home.

Churros con chocolate

Recommended by My Path in the World

 

Churros con chocolate is a pastry typically eaten during breakfast when the churros are dunked into thick chocolate
Perfect as a snack during the day or as breakfast, you can’t visit Spain without trying some churros. These golden and crispy fried pastries are usually served with a cup of hot chocolate, and together, it is a match made in heaven. Besides the usual thin churros, you can also try the thicker version called porras. They are made from the same batter, but the texture is a bit different because of the shape.
You can find great churros all across Spain, but one of the most famous and popular ‘churrerías’ has to be the Chocolatería San Ginés in Madrid. Founded in 1894, it is an institution that works 24/7. With their crispy churros and thick hot chocolate (which is not overly sweet), it’s obvious why people are always coming back for more.
Tip: Do not eat churros where they are not freshly fried. It’s unpleasant to eat them when they are in room temperature and oily instead of hot and crispy.

Iberian Ham – Jamón Iberico

Recommended by Diana’s Healty Living

 

Iberian Ham or Jamon Iberico is from the Pata negra pig eating only eichhorns

Just like you wouldn’t visit Italy without eating pasta, you can’t leave Spain without trying the Iberian Ham. It is not hard to find as you will spot the Iberian Ham at stands throughout Barcelona.

Iberian Ham is a cured ham that is produced in Spain. It is similar to prosciutto but much tastier. It has a slightly smokey taste and a creamy texture that melts in your mouth like butter. I will warn you now, it is highly addictive and is known as the best and most expensive cured ham in the world.

The ham comes from free-range pigs that eat only acorns. The acorns give the ham a nutty flavor that makes it addictive. You can order it at almost any restaurant in Spain. Eat as much as you can as we when we tried to bring it home with us we were told that it is not possible to bring cured meat into Canada.  

Spanish Tapas

Recommended by Vickiviaja

 

Various spanish tapas
Don’t you hate it when you are in a foreign country and don’t have enough time to try all the yummy dishes that the place is famous for? This definitely won’t happen to you in Spain as you can try so many dishes in just one meal – this great solution is called Tapas. Tapas are little dishes that you can share with the people you eat with. That means the bigger the group, the more different tapas you can try. There are so many different kinds of tapas from traditional dishes to modern variations. Moreover, every region of Spain has there preferences and own creations. Some of the most popular options that you can almost find everywhere throughout Spain are Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes with Brava Sauce), croquetas the jamón (croquettes filled with Serrano ham), pimientos de Padron (fried and salty peppers) and Aioli (a sauce from Catalonia that can, therefore, be found everywhere in Barcelona).
Another version of tapas is “Pintxos”. Pintxos are originally from Basque Country but can now be found all around the country. Those are some sort of tapas for one person. There is usually a buffet and you can take as many as you want which is also great if you are traveling alone or want to try even more dishes.
The amazing thing about tapas is that there is definitely something for every taste as there are vegetarian options as well as meat, seafood or fish.

Gazpacho

Recommended by Anothermilestone

Gazpacho is a spanish food cold tomato based souop
I first tried this amazing dish during my Andalusia trip, on a hot autumn day in Sevilla. I don’t know if it was its taste or the fact that the heat outside melted me, but when I felt the cold, orange liquid it was love at first sight! Gazpacho, original from Andalusia, is a cold vegetable soup, perfect to serve during summer (and considering the weather in Andalusia, people had a great idea to create it!). It is so easy to prepare that I couldn’t believe it when I got back home and tried to reproduce the gazpacho recipe. Ripe tomatoes, juicy cucumbers, pepper, onion, garlic and spices, all raw, mix together with water and bread crumbs in an explosion of fresh flavours. It has a sour taste, a little bit spicy from the pepper, but always refreshing! Every time I eat it (and during summer I prepare it often since it is not only very tasteful, but also very healthy), Gazpacho reminds me of the Andalusian charm.    

Horchata with Fartons from Valencia

Recommended by Travelers Universe

 

Horchata is a milky drink from Valencia made with Chufas
Relaxing on a terrace with a glass of horchata with fartons is one of the best things to do in Valencia. Especially if you happen to visit during the summer months when temperatures can easily reach 38ºC (100ºF). Horchata is a delicious vegan milk made from chufa, a grasslike plant that only grows in the fields north of Valencia. The little chufa tubers have a nutty flavor and when blended with water, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon, they create an incredibly rich, flavorful and healthy treat. Horchata has a smooth and velvety texture and is best served ice cold, sometimes even as a slush.

The fartons, on the other hand, are elongated sugar-coated pastries and their sole purpose is to be dunk in horchata, similar to the way you’d dunk churros in chocolate. In Valencia, locals have a slight obsession with this drink, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s the perfect pick me up after a day’s work or a morning of sightseeing. So next time you’re in Valencia don’t forget to add horchata with fartons to your list of Spanish food, next to the paella.

Catalan Food: Catalan cuisine you need to try

Crema Catalana from Catalonia

Recommended by Portugalist.com

 

Crema Catalana or Creme Brulee is a dessert from Catalunia and Spanish Food dish
There’s a good chance that you’ve already tried Crema Catalana – or something very like it. Crema Catalana is Spain’s version of Crème Brûlée (or Crème Brûlée is France’s version of Crema Catalana). 

France and Spain aren’t the only two countries that have this as a traditional dessert either: Portugal has Leite Creme and England has Burnt Cream. There’s a reason so many countries have their own version of this dessert, though, and that’s because it’s just so good. 

 

Nobody really knows who invented this dessert first and, if you were to ask, every country would probably say that they did. Crema Catalana is different to Crème Brûlée so, technically, it could be considered a different dessert anyway. It’s made with milk rather than cream, which gives it a different texture and flavour. That also means it’s healthier than the French version, although only just. If you’re trying to be healthy there are probably better options! 

 

Crema Catalana dessert is traditionally eaten on Saint Joseph’s Day in March but, nowadays, you’ll find it on menus throughout the year and throughout Spain. It’s definitely one to try out and, if you’re visiting another of the other countries mentioned, it’s worth trying a version in each country to see who does it best. 

Fideua from Girona

Fideua is a Spanish Food dish from Girona in Catalunia made with pasta in a pan
Girona is one of the food capitals of Spain, with several excellent, prize winning restaurants. It is home to El Celler de Can Roca, founded by the Roca brothers and considered one of the best restaurants in the world. But even without spending an arm and a leg, you can have a glorious meal in this lovely city of Costa Brava, Catalonia. 
 
One of the tastiest dishes you can try in Girona is “Fideua.” This actually originates from Valencia, but it is commonly served in restaurants all over the country, including Girona. The concept is similar to that of Paella, but instead of using rice, pasta noodles such as spaghetti or spaghettini are used. These are cooked in the sauce, which often is made with seafood – calamari, shrimps and the like – and a tomato base. The end result is a dish of moist, fragrant and crispy on top pasta, which is served directly on the pan it is cooked in. 

Calcots and Romesco sauce from Catalonia

Recommended by The Vegan Word

 

Calcots with salsa romesco sauce is eaten in Barcelona and Catalunia
Every spring, the streets of Barcelona fill with street parties celebrating the harvest of calcots, the Catalan green onion. Calcots are milder than onions and have a flavour somewhere between a leek and a spring onion. Every neighbourhood hosts its own calcotada, or calcots BBQ. Calcots are served with romesco sauce, a slightly addictive Catalan sauce made with roast tomatoes, garlic and nuts. Sometimes bread is added to thicken and ñora peppers are sometimes added too. At a calcotada, the calcots are grilled on the street and with the purchase of a ticket (usually around 10-15 Euros) you’ll get a portion of grilled calcots, romesco sauce, grilled meat or veggies and dessert. If you’re in Barcelona during February or March, you must try a calcotada. Calcots are incredibly hard to come by outside Catalunya, since the calcot from Valls, Catalunya is an EU Protected Geographical Indication. So be sure to try calcots while you’re in town!

Botifarra sausage with white beans from Catalonia

Recommended by Food and Drink Destinations

 

Botifarra is a sausage eaten with white bean Spanish dish

The Spanish people love their pork and they seem to find tons of ways to prepare meats from the pig. There are loads of different types of sausages and charcuterie, which vary across the country. Spain has a regional cuisine, where the dishes change based on the local environment and culture. This is particularly true in Catalonia, the semi-autonomous region of Northeastern Spain. This is where botifarra, a type of pork sausage, is quite popular.

There are several varieties including ones made from egg or even a sweet version made with sugar.  But the two most popular versions are botifarra that is grilled and botifarra perol, which is made “in the pot.” Botifarra with Santa Pau white beans is a traditional Catalan dish using this famous Catalan sausage. The sausage is either boiled in the pot or grilled and served alongside white beans from Santa Pau, a town in the Catalan Pyrenees. But this dish can be found from the mountains to the Catalan seaside of the Costa Brava.

Basque Cuisine – Basque food you need to try

Pintxos from the Basque Country

Recommended by Inside The Travel Lab

Pintxos or Pinchos are Spanish tapas eaten in the Basque Country like these slices of bread with anchovis
 San Sebastian is the capital of pintxos in the Basque country – and La Gilda is its most famous dish. Pintxos (pronounced “pincho”) comes served on the bar tops of the old town and the theatre around eating it is half the fun. Salted cod, fried fish, olives, anchovies and jamón are pierced by toothpicks and served on platters. Take what you wish, wash it down with local xx and pay by the toothpick at the end.

Pintxos bars have their own secret ingredients but there are key dishes found across town: sliced jamón in mini baguettes, anchovies lounging across sliced bread and small green peppers salted and fried. And, of course, La Gilda.

Created during Franco’s era when certain films were censored, it gets its name from Rita Hayworth’s character and her saucy, spicy, salty reputation. It’s made by spearing olives, anchovies and mini peppers on the same toothpick. Find it among the scarlet smoky interior of A Fuegro Negro or at the candy and seashell table tops of La Cepa. And then go looking for a favourite of your own.

Bacalao a la Vizcaina from the Basque Country

Recommended by A Taste For Travel

 

Bacalao a la Vizcaina is a fish dish which is cod from the Basque Country cooked in tomato sauce
One of the most delicious foods to enjoy in Spain also happens to be one of its most historic. Bacalao a la Vizcaina or Basque-style Salt Cod Stew hails from northern Spain and features a heavenly mix of salt cod, potatoes and olives in a slightly spicy tomato and red pepper sauce. Historically, salted cod was an important staple in Spain and Portugal as cod sourced from the Atlantic could be stored in the holds of ships during the long ocean voyages of the Age of Exploration from the 15th century onward.
 
Today’s travellers to the Basque Country of Spain, particularly the cities of Bilbao and San Sebastian, should definitely add Bacalao a la Vizcaina to their list of must-try traditional dishes as it’s a dish that requires some planning to prepare at home. Salt cod or bacalao must be soaked and rinsed multiple times before being used in a recipe but the method of preservation through salting does intensify the flavour and texture of the fish as you’ll soon discover once you taste it at its source.

Andalucian Cuisine – Andalucian food you need to try

Camarones from Andalucia

Recommended by XYUandBEYOND

Camarones are seafood like pulpo, shrimps that are grilled over charcoal on the beach on the Costa Tropical in Spain spanish food
 I adored Spain and authentic Spanish food. The freshness of the fruit and vegetables, a ‘tostada con tomate, aceite y jamón’. Absolute bliss, but my beyond the edge of the world favourite was a dish of barbequed camarones (prawns or shrimp). If you crave seafood then Andalucia is the place to find it.

The Costa Tropical is one of the less developed areas of the Spanish coast.  Salobreña in the Granada province is where the Nasrid kings took their summer vacations from the Alhambra. On the beach, they have these old fishing boats that have been turned into BBQ’s and the cook the absolute freshest octopus, prawns and fish over these screamingly hot coals.

Tender, juicy and just touched with salt fresh from the ocean the camarones are a treat you must try when visiting Andalucia. 

Pringá from Seville

Recommended by Latitude 41

Pringa from Seville is a bread roll with pulled pork
Pringá is a flavorful meat dish from Seville, the capital city of Andalusia in the south of Spain.  It originates from the Muslim and Jewish influences of Southern Spain and has been around since the 13th century. This multi-meat dish is a fatty mix of boiled pork belly, morcilla (blood sausage), tocino (pork fat), beef roast, and chicken thighs. It’s boiled together to the point that it can almost fall apart. It’s then mixed together to create a richly-flavored meat filling.  It’s not meant to be eaten in huge amounts as it’s not the healthiest dish around! So you won’t see it alone on a menu.

Pringá often goes in a sandwich called montadito de pringá or in a hearty chickpea stew. Recipes are often different – as you’ll see every grandmother has their own special take on this dish. A little pringá goes a long way!

Gambas Pil Pil from Malaga

Recommended by With Husband in Tow

Gambas al pil pil is a Spanish dish made with shrimps, garlic and chilli and is a common Spanish tapa

It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere in Spain and not find seafood. With water on almost all sides, the Spanish have perfectly incorporated seafood into their cuisine. One of the best tapas in Malaga is a typical seafood dish found everywhere in Spain, but perfected in Malaga. It is common to find prawns cooked in garlic and olive oil around the country. But in Malaga, Gambas Pil Pil takes simple ingredients and transforms them into pure heaven. Perhaps the original one pot dish, fresh prawns are added to a clay pot containing Spanish olive oil, garlic, a touch of chili and in some versions, sweet paprika.

It’s the addition of the chili and paprika that make this an Andalusian dish and gives the dish its reddish hue. A quick frying and serve with bread to soak up the garlic and chili infused olive oil. So simple yet so good. Other versions substitute langoustine for the prawns. Finding Gambas Pil Pil when traveling in Andalusia shouldn’t be too difficult. A tapas size order of Gambas Pil Pil cost around €5.

Salmorejo from Andalucia

 

Recommended by The Worlds Was Here First

 

Salmorejo from Andalucia is a cold soup with ripe tomatoes, bread and garlic with hard boiled egg is Spanish Food dish

One of the most quintessential Spanish dishes that you must try is Salmorejo. This cold tomato soup hails from the Andalucían city of Córdoba, but you can find it in just about every city in Andalucían and beyond, including Seville and Granada and other tourist hotspots.

Like many Spanish meals, there are very few ingredients in Salmorejo and the best only consists of tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and old bread. The ingredients are blended together until smooth and it is often topped with some chopped jamón and a hard boiled egg. The bread may seem like a curious addition, however, when blended, it gives the dish a thicker and creamier consistency that is just delicious. 

Though it is best enjoyed to take the edge off of a hot summer’s day, Salmorejo is available year-round in Spain and you can even find it sold in the drinks section of Spanish supermarkets. So if you’re heading to Spain and want to try one of the best dishes in the country, make sure to order a bowl of Salmorejo — you will not be sorry!

Grilled Fish from Costa Tropical

Recommended by The World In My Pocket

Grilled sardines or grilled fish from the Costa Tropical in Spain are grilled over an open fire
One of the best foods you can have on Costa Tropical in Spain are the grilled sardines from a chiringuito. These beach bars without frills built straight on the sand called chiringuito are specific to the South of Spain. They will have plastic tables and chair inside a more or less improvised wooden building structure. Their speciality is the grilled fish.

Usually, a chiringuito will have an old boat which serves as the grill. The cooks fill it with stones topped with olive wood which is set on fire. The traditional way of grilling the fish is by impaling it on a skewer in a specific way and put it on top of the burning wood at an angle. The most popular grilled fish are the sardines, which are called espeto. Usually a skewer of 8-10 espetos costs around 5 euros. They are perfect as a snack whilst having a beer, on a hot summer day. Espetos are practically tradition in Andalucia and they are loved both by locals and by tourists. 

To eat the espeto you have to squeeze just a bit of lemon on top and then use your hands. The fish is quite small, so you don’t have to pick the bones out.

Espetos or Grilled Sardines from Malaga

Recommended by Just Go Places Blog

Espetos, or grilled sardines, are one of the typical dishes from Malaga. They are often grilled on the beach because they are best served during the summer months when the fish are a little fatter. 
 
A few salted sardines are skewered on a wood cane over olive wood. The olive wood, the salt from the marinade and the sea air blend to create a uniquely flavoured dish that you can only get on a Spanish beach. Perfect sardines are cooked slowly in the heat so they don’t char on the outside. Grilled sardine are salty and delicious with the soft cooked fish falling off the skewer.  This salty snack is perfect on a hot summer day with a cold drink.
 
Eaten as finger food, grilled sardines are a cheap snack that goes well with beer or sangria and available at many beach cafes. And, unlike other beach food, sardines are really good for you! They are a low-calorie snack packed with protein and fatty oils. 
 
Although grilled sardines on the beach are a popular snack in many parts of Spain, they are an iconic dish from Malaga and something you really have to try when you are visiting a beach on the Costa del Sol. People have been grilling sardines for thousands of years – this tradition dates back to the Phoenicians and Romans. 

Galician Food – Galician cuisine you need to try

Pulpo Gallego from Galicia

Recommended by Her Life In Ruins

 

Pulpo Gallego is octopus served Galician style with cooked potatoes and paprika poweder

Pulpo Gallego, or Galician Octopus, is a speciality of the Galician region in the northwest part of Spain. The region sits on the coastline, making seafood an integral part of regional gastronomy. Pulpo Gallego is a simple, yet delicious dish found throughout the area. It’s only 4 ingredients (octopus, olive oil, smoked paprika, and salt), but they mingle in a way that creates something truly special. The octopus is boiled in a copper pot, placed tentacles first so they curl. The timing is important – too short and the octopus won’t be fully cooked, too fast and the texture turns rubbery – so the octopus is left to rest for a short while before being served. Speaking of serving: pulpo Gallego is typically served on a small wooden plate atop amber potatoes and eaten with toothpicks. In my opinion, pulpo Gallego the single best way to eat octopus.

Pulpo ala Gallega from Galicia

Recommended by Stingynomads

 

Pulpo a la Gallega or Polbo á feira (its local name) which means “fair-style octopus” is one of the symbolic dishes and a must try for tourists visiting Galicia, a region in Northern Spain. We spent a lot of time in the area walking the Camino de Santiago and the pulpo became one of our favorite dishes to eat as a snack with beer or wine.

The dish is served all over the region but Melide, a small town near Santiago de Compostela is the pulpo capital of Spain. Octopus is the main ingredient of the dish, usually only tentacles are served.  First octopus is boiled in a big copper pot for an hour or so, then it’s left in the pot for another 20 minutes – it must be ready but not overcooked otherwise it gets tough and chewy. After boiling it’s cut into small square pieces (2×2 cm), seasoned with salt, herbs and paprika and sprinkled with olive oil. The dish is served with white bread and local red wine (usually young wines). Special places that serve mainly pulpo are called pulperias but many restaurants serve this dish as well as an entree.

Other regional Spanish food 

Papas arrugadas with Mojo Verde and Mojo Rojo from the Canary Islands

Recommended by Greedy Gourmet

 

Papas arrugadas with mojo verde and mojo rojo originate from the Canary Islands and is typical  Spanish food and spanish dish
There are definitely a couple of dishes you should try when you are in Spain or visiting the lovely Canary Islands. I’ve got exactly three in mind that I want to share with you, which I’ve discovered during my trip to Gran Canaria (one of the Canary Islands off the northwestern coast of Africa).
First, you have to try papas arrugadas. The literal Spanish translation of papas arrugadas means “wrinkled potatoes”. It is a typical Canarian dish found across the islands almost in every restaurant. As interesting as the name sounds, it doesn’t suggest that the potatoes have been left in the cupboard for ages. Actually, the potatoes take on such an appearance because they are boiled heavily in salted water. In fact, the salt sometimes sticks on the potatoes giving them a great texture.
The most common and traditional way to serve papas arrugadas is with two sauces called mojo verde “green sauce“ and mojo rojo “red sauce”. Mojo verde is a mild sauce made mostly with coriander, cumin, garlic and red wine vinegar. On the other hand, mojo rojo calls for Palmera peppers and hot pepper, so this is the sauce you want if you want a bit of heat. I’ve absolutely enjoyed discovering these Canarian delicacies. Since then, I’ve paired them with many tapas. To learn more about these three classic Canarian dishes, visit greedygourmet.com. The recipes for these three dishes are really easy to master!

Suckling Pig from Segovia

Recommended by Paulina On The Road

 

suckling pig cochinillo

One of my favorite dishes in Spain is suckling pig. It comes originally from Segovia, but you also get it in many restaurants in Madrid. Indeed, both cities share the title of having the best suckling pig in Spain.

So what makes suckling pig so special? Well, first there are very strict rules when it comes to nutrition. The baby pigs are milk-fed only and they cannot be older than 2-3 weeks. I know that the idea of eating a baby pig may sound cruel to some of you, but it is one of the most traditional dishes in central Spain.

Then, the suckling pig is cooked slowly during many hours in a special oven. As a result, the meat is so soft that it literally falls of the bones. Traditionally the suckling pig is cut with plates in order to show how tender the meat is. Afterwards, the plates are dramatically crashed on the floor. Well, most restaurants don’t crash plates anymore.

Preparing the best suckling pig is a tradition in Spain and there any annual competitions in Segovia in order to determine the best chef. Suckling pig is thus one of the most traditional foods to try in Madrid.

Cocido Madrileño from Madrid

Recommended by Road Is Calling

Cocido madrileño is undoubtedly one of the most famous dishes in Madrid. It is traditionally winter meal but a lot of people still cook it during other seasons too. In some ways, it is similar to European stews and then in other ways, it reminds the North African couscous. However, the Spanish dish Cocido madrileño has its own history, flavor, and taste. Today, many locals love eating Cocido, so it is possible to find it not only in the restaurant of Madrid but other parts of the country too.

This dish is somewhat similar to stewed vegetables with meat. Its main ingredients are chickpeas, vegetables, and meat, and the Madrid people call them “Jack, Queen, and King”. The medieval recipe of cooking cocido was passed down from generation to generation, and over time became so popular that today almost every restaurant in Madrid has cocido on the menu.

The peculiarity of the dish is not only its original recipe but also the way how it is served. In Madrid, cocido comes on the table as three separate bowls. First one is noodles broth, the second one has chickpeas and vegetables, and the third one has stewed meat.

The best restaurants to try Cocido madrileño are a family restaurant La Bola, located right in the center of Madrid, Taberna Daniela in Salamanca, classic tavern Malacatin in La Latina neighborhood, and Casa Carola between Salamanca and La Guindalera.

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