Spain, like any other country, has its typical food that it's known for. If you are new to Spain or have lived here for years, you should try these dishes and see what you think! They might not be everybody's cup of tea, but to follow with tradition, you should try them all at least once.
You'll probably find that most bars in Spain offer these dishes on a daily basis and will probably have their own twist on them too.
Believe it or not, although some people might see it as just food, there is a lot of history behind all these dishes!
Aside from these, Spain is also very known for its tapas, which I will name a few of the popular ones.
Typical dishes in Spain
Paella
Paella is a dish and that can be found all around Spain, and I can probably guarantee that every restaurant has an option for this.
Normally its something you have to book in advance, as it takes time to prepare it.
Paella has undoubtedly become the most famous dish that is recreated around the world and comes from very humble origins.
Cocido madrileno
Cocido is very similar to a stew.
Cocido is a stew that consists of first a bowl of broth resulting from cooking chickpeas with vegetables, usually cabbage or green beans, chicken, black pudding, bacon and beef, which is served as a main course.
Jamon Serrano
Also know as serrano ham.
Is food that is only produced in Spain.
Serrano ham is the hind legs of a pig, which are salted and cured with the fresh air of the mountains.
Tortilla de patatas
Also known as a Spanish omelette, it is an egg omelette with potato.
People sometimes add other ingredients, like peppers, onions or even tuna.
It is also a very popular tapa, which is served with bread.
Fabada Asturiana
It is a basic bean stew, with a few things added.
This dish consists of a bean stew with chorizo, black pudding, bacon and pork ear.
Gazpacho y salmorejo
Gazpacho is a cold soup of mashed bread, water, olive oil, vinegar, tomato, cucumber, onion, garlic and green pepper.
Delicious and refreshing during the summer months.
Another variety is salmorejo, thicker and simpler, with soaked bread, garlic, tomato, oil, vinegar and salt, which is served with pieces of Serrano ham and a boiled egg.
Pulpo a la gallega
Also know as Galician octopus.
The octopus is cooked by cooking the octopus for a few seconds at time in boiling water so the it preserves it skin.
It's served sliced, with olive oil, salt and sweet paprika.
Rabo de Toro
Translated as bull tail.
The traditional dish is bull tail stew, with onions, carrots, tomato, garlic, bay leaf, saffron, olive oil, red wine, pepper and salt to taste.
Lechazo o cordero asado
A suckling lamb is a lamb that has not stopped suckling, which is roasted in a clay pot or a wood oven.
A dish that is very much enjoyed all around Spain!
Makes a great main dish.
Gambas al ajillo
Gambas al ajillo is a very simple dish known as prawns cooked in garlic oil.
Typically served with bread as a tapa.
Calamares a la Romana
Also known as squid rings and goes great with mayonnaise!
It is simply squid, covered in flour, and fried.
Can be eaten as they are, or quite popular in a baguette.
Croquetas
As we know them, croquettes. Very popular in Spain.
It consists of a creamy bechamel sauce, with serrano ham, which are covered in egg and breadcrumbs and then fried.
Makes a brilliant tapa too.
Callos
This dish is a dish made with tripe stewed with garlic, onion, paprika, olive oil, bay leaf, chilli pepper, black pudding, chorizo and salt.
Other tapas
Apart from the ones I have already mentioned, here is a list of other tapas that can be found locally.
Queso Frito
Fried cheese, normally served with strawberry jam.
Alitas de Pollo
Chicken wings.
Olivas
Bowl of olives.
Pan tostado con tomate y alioli
Toasted bread with tomato and alioli.
Calamares
Squid rings, in batter and fried.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with a spicy sauce and alioli.
Sometimes its served with mayonnaise instead of alioli.
Tabla de jamon serrano y queso
A plate of serrano ham and cheese, normally manchego cheese.
Ensaladilla Rusa
Russian salad. Mayonnaise with peas, boiled egg, and normally tuna
Served with breadsticks.
Magro en tomate
Pieces of pork served in a tomato sauce. Normally served with bread.
Pollo en tomate
Pieces of chicken served in a tomato sauce. Normally served with bread.
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