Tortilla española
Potato, egg and one enduring argument about onion.
Why it matters ↓Spanish · Drop into Spain
A country of many tables
Spanish cuisine is intensely regional. Galicia thinks in seafood, Valencia in rice, Andalusia in olive oil and chilled soups, while the Basque Country treats the small bite as serious craft.
The flavor compass
01Olive oil02Saffron03Paprika04Garlic05Sherry
Begin here
Three dishes that open the door
Paella valenciana
A regional rice dish—not a catch-all seafood platter.
Why it matters ↓Gazpacho
Andalusian summer in a cold, drinkable bowl.
Why it matters ↓Cook this food world
Recipes worth bringing home
Eat and drink locally
What to order—and where
Madrid
EatCocido madrileño, calamari sandwich, tortilla and churros.
DrinkVermut de grifo, caña beer or café cortado.
Stand at the bar for the rhythm of the city; a caña is intentionally small and fresh.Andalusia
EatGazpacho, salmorejo, fried fish, jamón and grilled seafood.
DrinkFino or manzanilla sherry served cold.
Sherry is a food wine. Try fino with olives, almonds, jamón or fried fish.Valencia
EatPaella valenciana at lunch, fideuà and all i pebre.
DrinkHorchata with fartons or local wine.
Traditional paella is a lunchtime rice dish; seek specialists that cook it to order.Galicia & Basque Country
EatPulpo and shellfish in Galicia; pintxos and grilled fish in the Basque Country.
DrinkAlbariño, cider poured from height, or txakoli.
The Atlantic north is its own culinary universe—cooler, greener and intensely maritime.Regional lens
One language does not mean one kitchen.
The Atlantic north, Mediterranean coast, central plateau and Andalusian south each have their own pantry, timetable and idea of comfort.
Worth knowing
A detail to remember
Tapas are a way of eating, not a fixed category of recipes. The culture changes by city: in some places a tapa accompanies a drink, elsewhere it becomes an entire evening.
Say it at the table · Spanish
¿Qué me recomienda?
[keh meh reh-koh-mee-en-dah]What do you recommend?
A small phrase that can lead to the best meal of your trip.