What to eat Spain? culinary specialties and gastronomy

The Spanish schedules are different from ours: from 2 to 4 pm for the lunch, the most important one, the " comida fuerte ", and from 9 pm for the evening meal. The times are sometimes a little different in the small villages (1 to ½ hour earlier). In the big cities, restaurants are often closed on Sunday nights and Mondays. And the best ones, part of August. In the inland villages or the very touristy destinations on the coast, they sometimes close out of season or only open in the evening or on weekends.

On average, the restaurant budget will be less expensive than in France but on this basis, there will be variations depending on where you are staying. In a large city or a tourist site, a meal can vary from 25 to 40 €, more if it is an award-winning restaurant. In any case, you will find almost everywhere menus del día ranging from 9 to 15 €, served in the middle of the day and on weekdays, since they are primarily aimed at people who work. And you can indulge in the tapo for a sum of 10 to 15 € per person, drink included. Some destinations even offer free tapas with any drink (except water and coffee), as in the provinces of Jaén and Granada in Andalusia, or the city of Ciudad Real, for example. It is also the ideal country to practice street food, shopping in the beautiful markets, and then sit in a park or a nice square. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, you can ask to take the rest away. The "doggy bag" is not yet systematized, but it will not shock anyone. Finally, remember to keep some cash to pay for your tapas or restaurants in the small villages.

The prices are displayed all inclusive. But bread, water and cutlery are not included. So there will be no carafe of water, the water is bottled, con gas or sin gas, sparkling or still, specifying if you want it fresh, fría or at room temperature, natural. However, the habit of asking for a glass of water (not charged) is becoming more and more widespread. Bread will be charged from 1 to 1.50 €, usually presented with the cutlery, in a basket. If you don't want bread, say no if you are asked when you order or indicate it directly. Theoretically, the service is included in the bill, but it is appreciated if you leave 5 to 10% of the bill for the service.

You will want to honor the tradition of the tapeo, born in Andalusia, but which has spread throughout Spain, by changing the creamery several times during the mid-day or evening stroll. And you will also follow another beautiful local practice, ordering a dish to share it " compare " with others. The main products of the barras de tapeo are patatas bravas; tortilla (omelette) with potatoes, mostly, but also spinach, prawns... octopus a la gallega; Russian salad; Padrón peppers; small fried food and of course, ham and chorizo. On the other hand, Spain has much more to offer than paella and this will be an opportunity to discover the richness of its gastronomy, trying the fadada of Asturias (a kind of cassoulet), the Duesos y quebrantos manchegos (stew with chorizo and bacon), the suquets of the Costa Brava (fresh fish marinade) or the pastel de carne murcien. The more affluent can also visit one of the 200 or so starred restaurants on the peninsula.

Most restaurants offer "children's" menus that cost around 10 €. They will also be very attentive if you want a modification due to an allergy or other. In general, children are welcome and you will be surprised to see how much they are present in the same areas as adults, whatever the time of day. For the very young, some have special chairs, so please ask.

After a transition period, all establishments are smoke-free since January 2011, except for the terrace.

If you see "hay paella y sangria", there is paella and sangria, check further away if you are there. In very touristy neighborhoods or areas, it is best to avoid establishments that are located very close to the most visited places. Because of the flow, the quality is rarely there.

The bars for a drink are open all day and often all week. In the evening, they are more like copas bars, frequented after dinner, so rather around 11 pm and more. And they close around 2 or 3 am. It is on Friday and Saturday nights that they are more crowded. As for the snack, the merienda, it is around 6 pm.

The price depends on the establishment and the drinks taken. Count 1,5 € for a coffee (especially a cortado, the equivalent of our hazelnut), 2 € maximum for a beer, cerveza and from 7 to 15 € for a cocktail. There are nohappy hours, except in some bars, but prices are cheaper than in France.

The age of access to alcohol is the same as in France: 18 years. Don't forget to bring your papers.

In the summer, almost everyone goes for a Tinto de Verano, a red wine with gaseosa, a Spanish lemonade, and sometimes a dash of cooked wine as well. And after the meal, the chupito, a small glass of liqueur, is very common. On the menu of winter snacks, chocolate con churros, with, depending on the region, preferences for the Madrid ones (small and streaky) or the porras, bigger but more hollow. Each region has its own local sweet, fartons in Valencia, sobaos in Cantabria or Piononos in the province of Granada... And if you stay in Spain, during the month before Easter, you will see a whole range of pastries linked to this period, including the famous torrijas, a kind of French toast. At Christmas, it's the perfect time to try turrón.

They are always associated with the outings. So you will see them, even very late, accompanying the parents in the patronal parties and standing on the stools to have the head at the height of the barra, or even sitting on it. But not in the bars of copas or discos.

Smoking is not allowed inside the establishments. But it is allowed on the terrace.