What does a good tapas menu look like?

Tapas and siestas: Our two most famous exports. If you’re traveling to Spain, having a tapas menu is definitely a “must do” on your list. Sometimes with two drinks, you will get enough food to have a full dinner. But it’s a little bit more tricky than just ordering a beer or a wine, and just waiting for the food to arrive. Major cities are very touristy, and in some bars, they will try to sell you anything as tapas.

You should also know that tapas are typically from the South of Spain and in the rest of the country, the will probably make you pay.

Here is some advice on how to catch a good tapas menu and not get ripped-off.

What is a tapas menu?

Tapas go back a long way in Spanish history. Some people argue that they were an invention of the Spanish King Alfonso X “The Wise”, who took small portions of food with a glass of wine between meals. The more widely accepted theory is that tapas originated as a snack for field workers during the long hours between breakfast and lunchtime.

The wine was also served in a ceramic jar covered with a piece of bread and some ham or cheese to prevent flies from diving straight into the wine. Actually, tapa literally means “cover”. This dish is meant to be a small appetizer between meals to help gulp down some wine or beer.

Do you have to pay a Tapas Menu?

Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to reach for your wallet whenever a waiter brings a beer to your table with a small plate of olives or anchovies. You don’t pay for tapas as they are given out of gratitude for ordering drinks in a bar. The price of your drink remains unaffected whether you choose to have the tapa or not. You should also bear in mind that every city is different.

The free tapas policy is very common in the South of Spain (Andalucia) and in the North (Galicia and Basque Country), but it’s not like this everywhere. For example in Catalonia, you are expected to pay for your tapas, as you will find them on your menu with a price tag.

What types of tapas can you find

Tapas aren’t so much the best representatives of Spanish cuisine, but rather the most economically convenient export. The food in true tapas is humble, typically requiring minimal preparation and certainly not as fancy as some Spanish restaurants abroad will have you believe.

Some bars will dish out small portions of tortilla, magro con tomate,  or pipirrana as a tapa, but only because these can easily be produced en masse and stored in the fridge all day.

Top 10 tapas to try in Spain

1. Patatas bravas are served across Spain, though how they are served can vary depending on the region. Potatoes are cut and fried in oil before being served with either a spicy tomato-based sauce (like in Burgos) or alongside aioli (like in Valencia and Catalonia).

2. Croquetas are fried balls that are served across bars and restaurants in Spain. They can come with a variety of meat, fish, and vegetable fillings.

3. Gambas al ajillo are fresh prawns that are cooked in sizzling olive oil with garlic and chili peppers, packing a flavorful punch.

4. Montaditos are small sandwiches that are often served toasted with a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian fillings.

5. Ensaladilla Rusa is a potato salad mixed with tuna, mayonnaise, and vegetables like carrots and peas — may have its roots in Russia, but the dish is popular across all Spain.

6. Pimientos de Padrón are small peppers that come from Galicia, in the northern part of Spain. They’re fried in oil and salted, and every so often a few of them will have an extremely spicy flavor.

7. Gazpacho is a cold soup originally from the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Vegetables like garlic, onions, peppers, and cucumbers will be chopped and mixed with oil and vinegar to create a refreshing soup that’s especially great in the hot summer months.

8. Chipirones are small squids that are usually fried or grilled whole to offer a healthy and delicious snack.

9. Tortilla de patatas, or tortilla española, is an omelet made with potatoes bound with eggs and is usually flavored with onions. As tapas, they are commonly served in small wedges.

10. Calamares a la Romana are battered and fried squid rings. Very delicious and usually they come with aioli or a lemon to flavor them.

Near Villa Masia Victoria you can find great Tapas restaurants.