Our guide to the best Spanish recipes and dishes to try for your next trip to Spain.
Spain is renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, which varies greatly depending on the region. From hearty stews to fresh seafood and world-famous tapas, Spanish food reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Spanish cuisine is rich, diverse, and deeply tied to the regions it comes from. Whether you’re sampling paella in Valencia, enjoying a tapas crawl in Madrid, or savoring fresh seafood on the coast, there’s always something delicious waiting in Spain. These dishes give you a taste of the country’s culinary soul, and trying your hand at these recipes will transport you back to Spain no matter where you are!
Here’s a travel and recipe guide to some of the most iconic and must-try Spanish dishes, along with tips on where to find them.
The best Spanish food to try, Breakfast in Spain, and vegetarian food in Spain
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Spanish Recipes and Dishes You Must Try
1. Paella Valenciana (Valencia)
Why Try It: This iconic Spanish dish originated in Valencia and is made with Bomba rice, saffron, and a mix of chicken, rabbit, and vegetables. It’s a flavorful and aromatic dish that captures the essence of traditional Spanish cooking.
Where to Try It: Valencia, at restaurants like La Pepica or Casa Carmela.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups Bomba rice
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 chicken, cut into pieces
1/2 rabbit, cut into pieces
1/2 cup green beans
1/2 cup garrofón (butter beans)
2 ripe tomatoes (grated)
1 tsp paprika
1 pinch saffron threads
Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a large paella pan. Add the chicken and rabbit, cooking until browned. Add the green beans and garrofón and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the grated tomatoes, saffron, and paprika.
Add the Bomba rice, spreading it evenly in the pan. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes without stirring. Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving.
Read here how to make Paella
2. Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette)
Why Try It: This simple yet satisfying dish consists of eggs, potatoes, and onions. It’s a staple in Spanish households and tapas bars, often served hot or cold. Where to Try It: Madrid and tapas bars all over Spain, such as Bodega de la Ardosa in Madrid.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
6 large eggs
Olive oil
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a large pan and cook the sliced potatoes and onions until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and onions, then whisk them into beaten eggs. Season with salt. Heat more oil in the pan and pour in the egg mixture, cooking on low heat until the edges set.
Flip the tortilla using a plate and cook the other side for another 3-5 minutes. Let it cool slightly, then slice and serve.
Read here how to make Spanish Omelette
3. Jamón Ibérico (Iberian Ham)
Why Try It: Considered one of the finest cured meats in the world, Jamón Ibérico is made from acorn-fed Iberian pigs and aged for up to 36 months. The flavor is rich, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Where to Try It: Andalusia or Salamanca, at Museo del Jamón or Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid.
Tips for Eating Jamón Ibérico:
Serve it thinly sliced with manchego cheese, picos (breadsticks), or olives for a perfect appetizer. Pair with a glass of sherry or Rioja wine to enhance the flavors.
4. Gazpacho (Andalusia)
Why Try It: This chilled tomato-based soup is a refreshing dish, especially in the hot summer months. Made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, and olive oil, gazpacho is light, healthy, and bursting with flavor.
Where to Try It: Andalusia, particularly in Seville or Córdoba, at local restaurants like El Pimpi in Málaga.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
6 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: croutons and diced vegetables for garnish
Instructions:
Blend the tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, and garlic in a blender until smooth. Slowly add olive oil while blending, followed by vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with croutons or diced vegetables on top.
Read here how to make Gazpacho
5. Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician Octopus)
Why Try It: A classic dish from Galicia, Pulpo a la Gallega (or Pulpo a Feira) features tender octopus sprinkled with olive oil, smoked paprika, and sea salt, served over boiled potatoes.
Where to Try It: Galicia, especially in coastal towns like Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña, at O’Camiño or Casa Marcelo.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 large octopus (cleaned)
4 potatoes, boiled and sliced
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 cup olive oil
Sea salt to taste
Instructions:
Boil the octopus in salted water until tender (about 45-60 minutes). Slice the octopus into bite-sized pieces and arrange it over the boiled potato slices. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika and sea salt before serving.
Read here how to make Pulpo a la Gallega
6. Patatas Bravas (Fried Potatoes with Spicy Sauce)
Why Try It: One of Spain’s most popular tapas, patatas bravas consists of fried potatoes served with a spicy tomato-based sauce and sometimes a garlic aioli. It’s a comforting and flavorful snack.
Where to Try It: Barcelona and Madrid at tapas bars like Bar Tomás (Barcelona) or Casa Toni (Madrid).
Recipe:
Ingredients:
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup olive oil for frying
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp paprika (sweet or spicy)
2 tbsp mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Fry the cubed potatoes in olive oil until crispy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Mix tomato sauce with paprika and simmer for a few minutes. Adjust for seasoning. Serve the potatoes with the spicy tomato sauce and a dollop of mayonnaise or aioli.
Read here how to make Patatas Bravas
7. Churros con Chocolate (Churros with Hot Chocolate)
Why Try It: A sweet treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert, churros are fried dough sticks that are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, typically served with thick, rich hot chocolate for dipping.
Where to Try It: Madrid, at traditional churro cafés like Chocolatería San Ginés.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
Oil for frying
1 cup dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream (for the hot chocolate)
Instructions:
In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, salt, and olive oil to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the flour. Transfer the dough to a piping bag with a star tip.
Heat oil in a frying pan and pipe the dough into the oil, frying until golden brown. For the hot chocolate, melt the chocolate in heated cream, stirring until smooth. Serve the churros dusted with sugar and dip in the chocolate sauce.
Read here how to make Churros
8. Fabada Asturiana (Asturian Bean Stew)
Why Try It: This hearty white bean stew from Asturias is perfect for a cold day. It’s made with fabes (butter beans), chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), and pork belly, creating a rich and filling meal.
Where to Try It: Asturias, especially in Oviedo at traditional spots like Casa Gerardo.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups dried white beans (soaked overnight)
1 chorizo sausage, sliced
1 morcilla sausage
1/2 lb pork belly
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic. Add the soaked beans and cover with water. Add the pork belly, chorizo, morcilla, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 2-3 hours until the beans are tender and the broth is thickened. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Read here how to make Fabada
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.