8 Facts and Misconceptions About Eating in Spain

When people think of eating in Spain, they think of a few key dishes, namely having tapas (small-plate), paella and sangria. It's kind of like generalizing all of America to being a hamburger, hot dog and BBQ nation. To be fair, sometimes generalizations are true, but I'm here to share with you what's true and what's not when it comes to dining out or eating in Spain. Let's dive in!

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Surprise! Spain is largely a meat and potatoes nation.

When you hear "meat and potatoes" it conjures up thoughts of haggis and Irish food, I bet. But in truth, I find in Spain I'm eating so much meat and protein at every meal that I'm yearning for an Italian interlude of pizza and pasta from time to time.

Spain's favorite meats include:

• Sausages: chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), and longaniza (a brat looking mild pork sausage)

• Beef Steaks: chuleton (dry aged ribeye) and solomillo (tenderloin)

• Pork and Lamb: Ternasco (suckling lamb), costillas (ribs)

• Rabbit and Duck: (Conejo and Pato) typically similar cuts as chicken

• Chicken (pollo): alitas (wings) are very popyular, as are the other typical cuts

You'll find these cuts grilled open-flame in an "Asador" for the best steakhouse meal, or very cheaply in a local grocery store or market. The spread below fed 7 with leftovers for less than 30 euros. Can you imagine!?

Don't forget about jamón, either, which may not be main meal meat, but it's pretty much the foundation of an entire nation. Jamón is found everywhere, in different levels of aged yumminess. It is mandatory to have some.

Potatoes are commonly served like home fries, cut into chunks and served with a "bravas" sauce, which is a red or orange colored tomato sauce. Sometimes it can have a touch of spice to it.

Misconception: Food in Spain is Spicy.

Which leads me to this common misconception - although you can occasionally find spicy items on a menu, it is usually NOT traditional Spanish, and is a manifestation of fusions from other cultures. I.e., you may find a spicy Asian-influenced dish on a menu with Spanish ingredients, but this is not typical for Spain.

In fact, Spaniards have little tolerance for spice beyond their beloved bravas sauce. You will not even find hot peppers in the store, save for the occasional imported jalapeño or some such. At least not like you would find in Mexico, for instance.

Mexican Food and Spanish Food are Not the Same

I'm sad I have to write this, but this is a really common thing that people misunderstand. For starters, like the above reference to Mexico's spicy peppers, the crops in each country are majorly different, influencing the cuisine differently.

Corn, for instance, is sacred in Mexico and you'll even read about their 50 some odd varieties on AeroMexico in their in flight magazine. They really love their corn in Mexico. Everything is derived from it - the tortillas, the snacks, even the alcohol.

For Spaniards, corn is looked upon as something you would feed your pigs on a farm and nothing more. They just don't use corn in traditional cooking.

Besides spice and corn, there is also a major difference culturally, again due to the crops. Mexico's tropical or often mountainous climate simply yields different flavors. With this, Spain focuses on the animals and vegetables that their farms cultivate.

So don't go to Spain expecting tacos and burritos, please.

Paella is not available everywhere.

Regionally, America is quite diverse. You wouldn't expect to find a New Orleans jambalaya in Ohio as easily as you'd find it in New Orleans, would you? So why expect differently in Spain?

That said, paella is generally a regional dish, focused primarily in the coastal areas of Valencia and Barcelona. You won't find it everywhere. Some people expect that they can sit down in any restaurant and find paella on the menu, which is simply not true.

I've already illustrated that meat is a big deal in Spain, often served in an Asador, and you will find specialized restaurants for every cuisine in the same manner.

Specialized restaurants include:

Asador = steakhouse, grilled foods

Arroceria = rice restaurant

Marisqueria = seafood restaurant

You might find paella as part of a pre-fixed meal at some of these places, but it is more likely served in a seafood or rice restaurant.

Regionally, where I live part time in Zaragoza, the more popular form of paella is called fideua, which is a short vermicelli noodle dish prepared the same way as paella. Similar ingredients, but noodley.

Wine, water and bread come as part of your meal.

This throws people off, especially if they are coming from Italy, where it is common to pay a small fee for water and bread service. Instead in Spain, these items are generally included as part of your meal, especially if it is a fixed menu service.

Pre-fixe menus are the best part of dining out in Spain, and usually include a starter, main course, and dessert per person, along with a bottle of wine to split per two people. You'll get wine of the house ("de la casa"), red or white (tinto or blanco). You do not need to drink the wine, and can opt for soda or something else, but...why would you do that!?

You can always supplement the bottle with more bottles because wine is SO CHEAP in Spain.

Wine is cheap in Spain.

To that point, bottles of wine are as cheap as 6 or 7 euros a bottle in a restaurant. This is amazing because you feel like you are getting the retail value price, not the overjacked up priced you'd see in America. Nothing gets my goat more than dining out in the States and seeing a bottle on the menu I have at home - a bottle which cost me $10 and is selling for $45 in the restaurant. Give me a break.

Wine costs what you would pay in the store, or even direct from the vintner in Spain. Going to the local wineries and Bodegas, you'll pay the same. Wine is super affordable.

Let's talk about meal times.

Meal times are the most common thing to struggle with in Spain. Don't try to fight it, just go with it. A few things to note:

Even if Google says a restaurant is open, that doesn't mean its kitchen is open.

Expect at most some cold tapas in the display case, and drinks in the off-meal times. As for tapas, those are generally available between meal times and leading up to meal times (also, meal times). Learn more about tapas here.

Lunch is 1-4pm, dinner is 8-11pm.

Don't show up early to a reservation in Spain. Just don't. In fact, be cool - show up 10 minutes late.

Lastly, to really be a Spaniard, you've got to accept the fact that food and drink are essential to your social life. Kids will be up til midnight at the tapas bars, Grandpas will be downing red wine laced with bubbly water all day and might put you to shame, and frankly, meal time is the most sacred time of the day to be with the people you love, so enjoy the long lingering meals.

People in Spain go out to dine, not to eat. There's a huge difference between this mindset and that of Americans. Americans live in a fast food culture, looking to be served quickly, eat faster, and get out the door to get back to work or whatever may be pressing.

Spaniards linger for hours...and hours. Meals are not rushed and your check will never come unless you are ready and ask for it specifically ("la cuenta").

Traveling to Spain with Kids?

Be sure to check out my children's activity book, "Scavenger Hunt Spain: A Kid's Travel Journal". Inside, find challenges, activities, drawing and writing prompts and more. Educate your children on the culture, language, food, landmarks and excite them for your travels.

Check it out here on Amazon to look inside or purchase.

Food for Tourists Eating in Spain

Finally, the last thing I want to note is that depending where you are in Spain, and I'm betting you are somewhere touristy, these rules of dining may be completely thrown out. If you are in authentic Spain, like Zaragoza or other towns not catering to tourism, hold these facts to be true.

Otherwise, you can expect some all day restaurants to shell out food from their kitchens (yes, including the quintessential paella and sangria), you can expect higher prices on wine, and probably even a mixed menu including pasta and chicken fingers for your children.

That said, Spanish food isn't the only thing in Spain. They also have plenty of International foods including sushi, Italian, Chinese, and more.

You will want to visit these places after daily Spanish food eventually, but I recommend seeking out something more Spanish, more authentic, and more true to the heart of Spanish culture and getting away from what is familiar for the majority of your trip.

If you are traveling with your children to Spain soon, please consider purchasing a copy of my book for kids called: Scavenger Hunt Spain: A Kid's Travel Journal. You'll be able to engage your young readers and doodlers on their vacation with little challenges and activities, sure to be a hit when traveling by train or car.

Planning your first trip to Spain? Check my tips here.

Meanwhile, enjoy my other Spanish resources at this link here, and enjoy your travels.