Gypset rule #37: Eat and drink what the locals actually eat and drink (not what the tourists think locals eat and drink).
Most tourists who visit Spain eat the same typical dishes that has been popularized by pop culture and the internet. I’m not saying they’re not good. I’m just saying that there’s more to Spanish food and drinks than your typical paella and sangria.
When I travel, I always avoid tourist restaurants and bars and let locals show me the side of their cities unknown to tourists. As a self-confessed gourmand, I enjoy eating a variety of dishes recommended by local friends.
So here’s 9 food and 2 drinks that will set you apart from the typical tourists.
Spanish Food Porn
Champiñones la plancha rellenos de jamon y pimiento – baked mushroom with ham and pimiento
Pastel de puerros en salsa de queso – leek cake in cheese sauce. so yummmmy!
Queso frito con salsa de fresas – fried cheese with strawberry sauce
Patatas alioli – fried potatoes covered in warm garlicky mayonnaise
Pan con tomate – tomato bread: simple, well-loved and widely eaten in Cataluña
La bomba – oozy mass of potato croquette stuffed with some meat and covered in a cream sauce and a deliciously spicy romesco sauce. This is a Catalan dish.
Jamon Serrano (front) – debatably the best dry-cured ham from Spain. Go buy in the market or supermarket and snack on it like I did. It’s not really underrated but I just want to put it here haha.
Jamon York (upper left)- boiled ham. delicious but not as good as jamon serrano
Queso Manchego (upper right)- super delicious Spanish hard cheese from sheep’s milk that is only made in the La Mancha region of Spain (hence the manchego). It’s so good I can’t stop going back to the fridge for another slice.
And this is how you finish your meal like a legit local: wipe the plate clean with the complimentary bread. Your friends will love you.
Spanish Drinks
Tinto de verano – Forget sangria. Ask for this one and you’ll win kudos from your Spanish drinking buddies. What is it? It’s red wine mixed with lemon fanta (or equivalent) or sometimes, orange fanta (tinto de naranja).
Horchata – a non-alcoholic drink made from almonds or tiger nuts. It is originally from Valencia (orxata) and it’s a perfect refreshment during the hot summer months. You have to drink it when you’re in Valencia. A glass cost 2 euros or less. (Kinda reminds me of Vampire Weekend’s song named after the drink.)
Where to get them:
Barcelona – El Tropezon Tapas Bar in Carrer del Regomir 26, Barcelona
Albacete - El Alambique Restaurant in Callejon San Jose, Albacete
Valencia – Street corners. Pretty much everywhere.
What are your other favorite Spanish food?
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crazzzy… i can hear the foods talking to me…
what are they saying? haha
crazzzy… i can hear the foods talking to me…lol
I think I gained weight just reading this! It all looked so wonderful. I’m with you on the local restaurants!
I got hungry just writing about them myself haha.
Loved this! Spain is on my shortlist for next year. This may have moved it ahead a spot or two!
I would love to go back as well and see other cities and eat more Spanish food!
Jamon serrano’s my favorite, wanted to bring a whole leg home. Spent 8 months in Jerez, best time of my life. Wish everyone has a chance to experience life there, even if for a short period of time.
I drool just thinking of jamon serrano. My Spanish friend just threw his birthday dinner party last week and he has some so that’s all I ate ;D
berenjenas con miel! patatas bravas! best i’ve tasted were from a place called el almacen in jerez! mouth watering mmmm..
if you’ve not had a chance to go to southern spain, i’d highly recommend it! andalucia is full of culinary delights! especially around fiesta & holiday weeks like semana santa, christmas, & feria, they serve specific food/drinks/desserts only available during those times!
yes those are spanish classics! The southermost I’ve been to is Valencia. Must check out the south one of these days. Thanks for your recommendations!
I imagine that if I wasn’t full from lunch right now, I’d be drooling all over my keyboard. Then I would have had to bill you for the replacement, so consider yourself lucky, mister.
HAHA. Can I pay you with a plate of jamon serano and queso manchego instead? I’m always happy to share! ;D
I’ve lived in Southern Spain for five years and agree with you – I prefer the hole in the wall places where the waiters know your name and refuse to let you leave the change from your bill. That said, I am a HUGE proponent of jamón ibérico over serrano. My boyfriend’s family ahas a farm, and we’ve got a ham leg year-round in our kitchen! Did you get a chance to try some?
HAHA there’s a huge debate over which jamon is better. Iberico is the more expensive one right? Yes, love it as well! I can eat both any day haha and so jealous you have a ham leg all year-round. I’m hungry again just thinking about it.
God, that all looks so good! Have fond memories of many hours sitting over tapas and vino when we lived in Barcelona. Ah, those were the days!
I can eat these everyday ;D
OH MY GOD…that is all!
What yummy pictures! The baked mushroom with ham and pimento is making me hungry.
So simple yet so gooooooooood!
Love you for this! We’re headed to Spain in February and I’ve been having a bit of trouble finding good ideas for vegetarian tapas – the patatas alioli and queso frito con salsa de fresas with some horchata sound soooo good.
You’re welcome, Micki. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of vegetarian options in Spain. And yes, you should definitely try those!
This looks absolutely delicious, can’t wait to try those stuffed mushrooms!
The stuffed mushroom was my favorite!
I absolutely adore Spanish food! Garlic potatoes there are unbelievable. And I’m so glad you posted about tinto de verano, that was one of my favorite drinks when I was in Spain in college. A lot easier to replicate at home, too.
Oh yes those garlic potatoes! Yum. So simple yet so delish!
This looks incredible! I need to get back to Spain to try some of these dishes (and drinks!!)
I love when food’s good enough you want to lick the plate clean and here, they give you bread to essentially do so! Awesome!
I know right. You know you’re in a good place. ;D
I’m not so sure about the fried cheese teamed with strawberry sauce. That seems like a very odd combination. I think I’d be saving room for those la bombas. They look delicious.
It’s delish!