The best food in Spain? Here are 7 top contenders

Try a paella in Valencia. Photo by Regina Winkle-Bryan

Spanish food and wine is en vogue all over North America at the moment. And with good reason! The nosh in Spain is as diverse as the many unique territories that make up the country, from tapas in the south, to paella in the east, to pintxos in the north, there is so much good food to try. Your stomach will be happy, as well as your wallet, because most classic dishes in Spain are very affordable.

Searching out these inexpensive bites is half the fun of traveling through the Iberian Peninsula and the islands. But how do you know what to order? We’ve made your culinary mission a lot easier by coming up with seven top tastes sorted by city and region.

Related: The perfect 10-day itinerary in Spain

Madrid: Bocadillo de calamares

When visiting the big capital city of Madrid, you will have lots of food choices including tapas, Spanish rice, traditional sweets, and even international fare. For a low-cost snack on the go, order like the locals and get a calamari sandwich, or bocadillo de calamares. You can find them in almost any bar in town.

You may be thinking, “Did I just read squid sandwich?” Yep! Madrid’s most famous sub is little more than deep-fried squid on a bun with a touch of olive oil — the perfect accompaniment to a cold beer.

Barcelona: Pa amb tomàquet

Granted, pa amb tomàquet, or bread with tomato, does not sound like an exciting snack. Think of it more as the definitive base to any meal in Catalonia and Barcelona. Pile Catalan charcuterie high on pa amb tomàquet or spread pungent goat cheese over thick slices for a satisfying afternoon bite.

Pa amb tomàquet may be served already prepared, or you might just get the fixings to make it yourself. If the latter is the case, you’ll have to rub toasted bread with halved tomatoes, and then drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt on it. Sometimes raw garlic is also offered, and if so, you should peel it, and then rub it gently on the toasted bread.

Related: 18 tips for eating like a local in Barcelona

Canary Islands: Papas arrugadas and mojo picón

As its located closer to Africa than to Spain, the Canary Islands boast a number of dishes that are quite different to those in the rest of the country. One of the most popular side dishes on the islands is papas arrugadas, or “wrinkled potatoes”. Small potatoes are cooked with a massive amount of salt to create a savory spud, usually served alongside fresh fish from the Atlantic or meat.

While the papas are tasty on their own, the real draw is the red and green mojo picón sauce they are always served with. Mojo picón is spicy and garlicky, so smother your papas in it or use it sparingly, depending on how much of a kick you want.

Don’t leave Mallorca without getting a few of the famous pastries known as ensaïmadas. Photo: pocketcultures

Mallorca: Ensaïmadas

Don’t be surprised to see travelers stuffing stacks of boxes into the overhead luggage bin on your return flight from the island of Mallorca. These round boxes contain ensaïmadas, the island’s most popular pastry. Served for breakfast, but also as an afternoon snack in cafes, locals have been producing the simple sugar-covered bread since the 17th century. Budget-friendly and delicious, try an ensaïmada with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

A local bar in San Sebastian with a typical spread of pintxos. Photo: Jonathan Hood

San Sebastian: Pintxos

There is a difference between tapas and pintxos, although both are similar to “appetizers” and both make a delectable afternoon or evening nibble. While tapas are small dishes featuring all sorts of ingredients, pintxos usually consist of a slice of bread topped with cheese, seafood, omelet, or any of a number of other ingredients, all skewered together with a toothpick.

In San Sebastian and throughout the Basque Country, pintxos abound in bars and restaurants. Normally, customers are given a plate and can then peruse a buffet of pintxos, snagging the ones that look most tempting. At the end of the meal, the waiter will count up the toothpicks on a plate and charge the customer accordingly. This is the honor system at its best, so don’t abuse it. Furthermore, at €1.50 to €3 a pop, pintxos are not going to break your bank.

Seville: Tapas

You can find tapas all over Spain, but for many, the region of Andalusia is the top spot to chow down on these small dishes. Seville’s many bars offer long lists of tapas which include everything from elaborate seafood and meat dishes to simple plates of cheese and ham. On menus in Seville, you’ll see raciones offered, and these are larger portions than the smaller tapa.

While in some areas of Spain (like Granada), tapas are free whenever you order a drink, this is not often the case in bigger cities. In Seville the tapas are plentiful, delicious, and inexpensive, making them a good dinner option, especially when washed down with a €3 glass of Spanish red wine.

Valencia: Paella

Spanish rice, or paella, is found all over the country including Barcelona, but the best place to eat it is in Valencia (in either the city or the region of the same name). Paella originated in this part of Spain, and locals are experts in creating the slow-cooked rice with seafood, rabbit, pork, and chicken.

Note that paella is a lunch dish, and Spaniards almost never order it for dinner. It’s so rich, you need the rest of the day to digest this tasty feast! Also, in many restaurants, there is a two-person minimum for ordering paella, so if you’re traveling solo, you might need to find a friend before trying this quintessential dish.

Related: Taking the ferry to Valencia from Barcelona (via Mallorca)

What’s your favorite Spanish Dish?

So many more types of food and drink could be added to this list. In Galicia you should try a slice of empanada, in Menorca you can’t go wrong with the gin, and don’t miss the hard cider of Asturias.

Of course, Spanish wine will be good almost wherever you go, but be sure to order sherry in the south and a vermouth in Barcelona. When in doubt, ask the waiter for tips on what’s in season and if there any specials on the menu. Avoid tourist trap restaurants with neon paellas and enormous photos of the food, and you should eat well across Spain.

Tell us your favorite dishes and tips for finding the best food!