If you’re hungry in Spain, you’re in for a treat! With specialties in every corner, no matter where you go, you’ll get your fill.
Whether it’s San Sebastian’s pintxos bars or Michelin-starred establishments or tucking into paella in its city of origin – Valencia, you won’t leave disappointed.
Let’s take a look at the best Spanish cities for food.
1. Barcelona
Barcelona tops many ‘must-see’ lists for many reasons.
It certainly does have a lot to offer, that’s for sure. Food-wise, you’re spoilt for choice too. This city is a real cultural and gastronomic experience.
Head to La Rambla for a pleasant meal outdoors and soak up the atmosphere or make your way down to Barceloneta and try out paella by the sea.
The district of Eixample (a gridded district and home to the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral) has some gourmet restaurants while Raval is home to hip cafés.
The older parts of the city in the Gothic Quarter also have some great old-fashioned taverns.
You could spend a month in Barcelona and try a new dish every evening!
As Barcelona is in Catalunya, you also get to explore the finest of Catalan food here.
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In late winter and early spring, you need to try calçots. These spring onions in a romesco sauce are to die for!
Finally, if you’re a chocoholic, you’ll love Barcelona. The city has so many granjas (dairy shops) and chocolate shops!
2. Madrid
Like most capital cities, Madrid has lots to offer its diners.
Madrid is a truly dynamic city for food and drink, and it is home to seemingly endless restaurants.
Two favorites to try here are:
- cocido madrileño (a stew of meat and vegetables in a chickpea base)
- roast suckling pig
For an authentic experience, why not tuck into a bocadillo de calamares (a sandwich of deep-fried squid rings) standing in a bar with a caña (beer).
For the adventurous type, there’s callos (tripe) or caracoles a la Madrileña (snails cooked in a Madrid style).
Don’t forget to look around the markets here too. The Mercado Antón Martín has excellent produce, and you could get some picnic supplies here.
Though we know we all come to Spain to try Spanish food, you can’t deny the quality of Madrid’s international food selection.
There is even a Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, which is the only one of its kind in the whole of Europe.
What’s More – Madrid is a great place for exquisite fish restaurants, despite its distance from the coast! It even has the biggest fish market in the world after Tokyo.
3. San Sebastian
San Sebastian, also known as Donostia in Eusekra (the language of the Basque Country), is renowned for its gastronomy.
In the old town, you’ll find many eateries serving specialty pintxos displayed on counters that you can enjoy with a drink.
Pintxos are often referred to as miniature haute cuisine because they’re a delicious piece of food that showcases local produce to perfection.
In terms of specialties here, there are many.
You could try sweetbread ravioli, beef in red wine, and pipas en tempura (tempura prawns).
Don’t forget to wash it all down with the local wine txakoli. Other Basque dishes found here include hearty stews, salt cod, and Idiazabal cheese.
4. Valencia
Valencia is where the well-known and exported paella originates so it would be rude not to eat this rice-based dish here.
Though many presume the traditional paella to be seafood, paella valenciana is actually made with rabbit or chicken.
If you do want to try seafood, head to the Cabanyal district where tiled bodegas serve up mussels, sizzling prawns, and michirones, traditionally cooked broad beans.
Also read – 10 Best NYC Bodegas
5. Seville
Seville is one of the few cities in Spain where you can still get tapas free with a drink.
What’s better than sitting down with a glass of something and tucking into traditional iberico ham?
There are loads of places to explore.
The district of Santa Cruz is very pretty and full of cute bars where you can tuck into whatever tapas is on offer.
From here, head to the neighborhood of Arenal and over the river Betis to Triana where you can enter many tiled bars and continue to partake in the culinary delights of this historic city.
6. Girona
Not far from Barcelona and in Catalunya is Girona.
This city is a great place to enjoy real Catalan food away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona.
A three-star Michelin restaurant called El Celler de Can Roca is located in Girona and this was ranked as the world’s best restaurant by Restaurant magazine in 2013 and 2015.
This establishment first opened its doors in 1986 by brother Joan, Jordi, and Josep Roca. It serves traditional food from the region, but it is presented in a creative, avant-garde way.
If Michelin stars don’t appeal, why not try a local tapas restaurant.
Specialties here include pollastre amb escamarlans, which is a stew made from shellfish, chicken, and – believe it or not – chocolate.
Other local specialties are xuixos (pastries filled with cream) and botifarra sausage.
7. Granada
The city of Granada in Andalusia is famous for many reasons – its architecture being one of them.
Due to being ruled by the Moors for many years, the city’s gastronomy has been influenced heavily.
In the Albayzin – You’ll find narrow streets with tea houses that serve up sweet tea, spiced tagines, and Arab-style sweets.
Granada is also one of the few remaining Spanish cities to serve up tapas for free in its bars.
The great thing about these is that they also have a Moorish influence too!
Dishes not to miss include jamón de Trevelez, migas and fried fish.
8. Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is one of the finest cities in the region of Galicia for its food.
There are so many delicacies here! The region is famous for its weird, wonderful, and expensive food too.
Some specialties include percebes, which are goose barnacles.
These are the very barnacles that cling to cliffs and are difficult to collect.
Here, you’ll also find Galician-style octopus, which is served with paprika as well as padrón peppers.
In terms of drinks one big crowd-pleaser here is Albariño wine.
9. Bilbao
Though loads of people rave about the gastronomy in San Sebastian, its neighbor Bilbao also has amazing cuisine on offer.
In terms of pintxos, Bilbao has some amazing, inventive offerings.
You’ll usually get a slice of white bread topped with seasonal and local ingredients like meats, cheeses, roasted vegetables, and spices.
Some other options include anchoas con vinagreta, which are anchovies marinated in a vinaigrette, or pulpo, which is octopus. The cider is good in Bilbao too!
Final thoughts on the best Spanish cities for food
Spain is a country that keeps on giving. Wherever you go, you’ll find so much to explore – and taste!
Whether you’re heading up north to the Basque Country, spending time on the east coast in Barcelona or Valencia, or heading to Andalusia or Galicia, we’ve covered it here.
No matter where you go, you should have some ideas of the types of food and drink you might be able to dry! ¡Buen provecho!
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