What to try: tapas
The essential Spanish tapas, from pa amb tomàquet and jamón to patatas bravas, squid and Padrón peppers.
Spain is the land of tapas — small dishes meant to be shared with friends over a glass of wine or beer. If it’s your first time in Spain, it’s best to order several different dishes and try a little of everything.
🍅 Pa amb tomàquet
The most famous Catalan starter. Crusty bread is rubbed with ripe tomato, drizzled with good olive oil and lightly salted. It’s often served with jamón, cheese or sausage. Despite its simplicity, it’s one of the Catalans’ favourite dishes.
🐖 Jamón Ibérico
Spain’s main gastronomic symbol. It’s best ordered as a separate plate of thinly sliced jamón, eaten with tomato bread. If you have a choice, go for Jamón Ibérico de Bellota.
🫒 Olives (Aceitunas)
Many bars serve olives as a snack with drinks. Spain has lots of varieties, from mild green ones to piquant ones marinated with garlic, lemon or spices.
🧆 Croquetas
Small crispy croquettes with a creamy filling. The most popular are jamón, chicken, mushroom, cod or cheese. Almost every restaurant has its own signature recipe.
🥔 Patatas Bravas
One of the most popular Spanish dishes: fried potatoes served with spicy brava sauce and often with garlicky alioli. The sauce recipe varies from place to place, so it’s worth trying this dish more than once.
🐟 Anchovies (Anchoas)
Spanish anchovies are very different from the usual tinned ones. They’re more tender and meaty, with a rich flavour. They’re often served with olive oil, peppers or on a piece of bread.
🍢 Pintxos
Although pintxos come from the Basque Country, they’re very popular in Tarragona too. These are small snacks on a piece of bread, held together with a skewer.
The tastiest varieties:
- with anchovies;
- with jamón;
- with goat’s cheese;
- with tuna;
- with roasted vegetables.
💡 If you want to taste Spain in a single dinner, order a table of several tapas: tomato bread, a plate of jamón, olives, croquetas, patatas bravas and a couple of different pintxos. This combination lets you sample most of the classic Spanish starters.
🦑 Calamares a la Romana
Squid rings in a light, crispy batter. One of the most popular starters along the Mediterranean coast. Best eaten straight away, with a squeeze of lemon.
🦑 Chipirones a la Andaluza
Baby squid, quickly fried in a thin coating. They come out very tender and are a classic snack with beer or white wine.
🦐 Gambas al Ajillo
Prawns cooked in olive oil with plenty of garlic and a little chilli. Be sure to dip bread in the fragrant oil — many people think it’s just as tasty as the prawns themselves.
🐙 Pulpo a la Gallega
Boiled octopus with olive oil, paprika and coarse salt. Although the dish comes from Galicia, it’s made practically all over Spain, Tarragona included.
🦪 Mejillones al Vapor or a la Marinera
Fresh mussels, either steamed or in a tomato and wine sauce. Thanks to the nearby sea, this is one of the standout dishes in local restaurants.
🧀 Quesos Españoles
A plate of Spanish cheeses. Try an aged Manchego, and if there are local Catalan cheeses, be sure to order those too.
🌶️ Padrón
Small green peppers fried in olive oil with coarse salt. There’s a Spanish saying: “some are hot, some are not”. Most are mild, but every now and then you’ll get a very hot one.
🌐 Translated from Russian; the translation hasn't been proofread yet.