Eat Spanish tapas like a local with this ultimate guide

Tapas are small portions of food eaten between or before meals with a drink, which is more often than not, alcoholic. Traditionally, they were free with a drink. Wondering where the name comes from? The word ‘tapas’ comes from the verb ‘tapar’ which means to cover.

As is always the way, there are all kinds of stories about where tapas originated from. One theory about the origin of Spanish tapas is that King Alfonso X of Castile once fell ill. He recovered by drinking wine and eating tapas between meals, and when he’d recovered he commanded that from then on, all wine served at inns had to be accompanied by food.

And that’s not the only royal legend surrounding tapas. Apparently, Alfonso XIII was offered his wine with a slice of ham to protect it from the sand from the beach at a tavern in Cadiz. He liked the idea, so he ordered another glass of wine with the cover, or ‘tapa’.

Lastly, some people also say that a law passed by Felipe III contributed to the development of Spanish tapas culture. To combat drunken behaviour among sailors and soldiers, it was decreed that every drink had to have a lid covering it with a small quantity of food on it, to line people’s stomachs and keep a lid on drunkenness, as it were.

But there are also some less anecdotal and more practical explanations as to why the practice gradually became widespread, and where the name came from.

They include the fact that a piece of bread or card would’ve often been used to cover a drink and protect it from flies, and over time people started to top that with a snack. Plus, as punters would often be standing in bars they’d use their glass as a stand for their plate.

One of the most common misconceptions is that Spanish tapas is available everywhere you go in Spain. Yet, it is only really widely available in areas such as Andalusia, Murcia, Extremadura, Ciudad Real and Leon. In the north of Spain, in the Basque Country, tapas is known as pintxos and is normally served with a wooden skewer through the centre holding the food together. If you’re curious to discover the best tapas in Spain, start planning your holidays. 

Generally considered to be the home of tapas food in Spain, there are still many areas in the east of Andalusia where tapas is served free with the purchase of an alcoholic beverage. Immerse yourself in the region’s vibrant flavours and traditions with an Andalusian holiday in cities such as Seville, Granada or Malaga. Since the area is famous for its sherry production, do as locals do and order a glass of refreshingly chilled fino sherry (or a tasty sangria) and tuck it into the enticing array of small plates that appear by magic. From crispy croquettes oozing a creamy bechamel sauce to finely sliced Iberian ham, there is no better way to enjoy the quaint taverns and bustling bars in between all the sightseeing on offer. Andalusian tapas is a celebration of the region’s eclectic cultural heritage mixing Moorish, Mediterranean, and Spanish influences into bite-sized snacks.

While chorizo is widely available across Spain and Portugal, it is in Asturias where it can be enjoyed with cider. Since Asturias has its own Denomination of Origin when it comes to cider, this plate is a must-try if you plan to visit Oviedo or the surrounding areas. Yet, don’t be surprised if you don’t hear the term tapas when exploring the city’s landmarks. In the north of Spain, these bar snacks are known as pinchos. 

Rest assured though, the tapas culture here is strong with Oviedo boasting a tapas neighbourhood. Bookmark the streets Fray Ceferino, Río de San Pedro, Manuel Pedregal and Campoamor for your tapas bar crawl as these streets make up the Tapas Zone. Here you can taste delicious local cider and line your stomach with free plates of croquettes, ham and cheese and many more tasty treats.

When visiting the Basque Country, one thing that must be on your to-do list is to try authentic Basque pintxos. With the highest concentration of Michelin-star restaurants in the world, you are in for a real foodie treat when travelling through this region of Spain. Start your gastronomic adventure in either Bilbao or San Sebastian and expect seafood to feature heavily on the menu, especially anchovies and cod tapas. Do what locals do and order a chilled bottle of ​​txakoli and be prepared to receive an array of delicious treats to accompany it.  Rabas (deep-fried squid), cod skewers, anchovies and Gildas (toothpicks with olives, ham and pickles in a vinegar dressing) are popular bites in the Basque Country. 

If you are a fan of seafood, there is nowhere quite like Vigo. Plan a weekend getaway to Vigo and indulge in typical Galician tapas dishes such as pulpo a feira. This delicious dish consists of chopped-up cooked octopus tentacles covered in oil and paprika. Keen to try more dishes? Head to the Calle de las Ostras, a street dedicated to freshly caught oysters where you can also indulge in other tasty seafood tapas dishes with a glass of Albariño wine. 

Madrid is full of traditional tapas bars, but if you are looking for an atmospheric way to try Spanish cuisine head to the Mercado de San Miguel. Here locals and tourists enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of this fresh food market. With over 20 stalls to choose from, make sure you arrive with an empty stomach as you will be tempted to try them all. If you are staying in Madrid, this is a plan not to be missed. 

Only in certain parts of these areas are the tapas free. For example, in the east of Andalusia, in the regions of Granada, Almeria and Jaen, tapas are free with a drink as standard, whereas if you find yourself in Malaga or Seville, then they’re charged separately, but the drinks are supposedly a little cheaper. In places like Madrid, there are bars that serve free tapas. But it definitely won’t be the case everywhere, so it’s a matter of playing it by ear.

As far as drinks go, a very standard order would be a small glass of beer known as a caña or a glass of wine, but there is no obligation to drink alcohol. If the tapa is free, you’ll get one with a Coca Cola too! If they’re free, then you’ll sometimes have a menu to choose from, but will often just be given whatever it is that’s been prepared that day. So if you’ve got any dietary requirements, always let them know when you order your drink. You’ll get a different tapa with your second drink, and so on. If you’re paying for tapas or Spanish bar snacks, then you’ll have a menu to choose from. If you’re not sure what tapas to order in the area or bar you’re in then don’t be shy. Ask the locals!