Spain is one of Europe’s best destinations for food lovers. Walk through any city, from Madrid to Barcelona, and you’ll smell garlic sizzling in olive oil, fresh seafood grilling, and warm bread coming out of bakeries. Spanish cuisine is simple, bold, and built around high-quality ingredients.
To help you plan your culinary adventure, here’s our ranking of the most famous food in Spain:
- Paella
- Jamón Ibérico
- Tortilla de Patatas (Tortilla Española)
- Patatas Bravas
- Gazpacho
- Churros con Chocolate
- Croquetas
- Calamares Fritos
- Crema Catalana
If you want to know where to find the best place to eat these famous dishes in Spain, keep reading. We’ll break down each dish, explain why it earned its ranking, and show you exactly where to try it during your trip.
#9 Crema Catalana (Catalan Cream)
Crema Catalana | Photo Credits: Kritzolina on Wikimedia
Crema Catalana is a classic dessert from the Catalonia region of Spain. It’s made with a smooth custard flavored with citrus peel and cinnamon. The dessert is finished with a thin layer of caramelized sugar on top.
When you tap it with a spoon, it cracks and reveals the creamy custard underneath. That mix of crunchy sugar and soft cream makes each bite satisfying. You’ll usually eat this dessert at the end of a meal in Catalan restaurants.
While you may not see it on every menu across the country, it’s a treat many travelers try when visiting Barcelona. It’s a great introduction to Spanish desserts and a sweet way to end a meal.
Ranking: #9
Where to eat it: Traditional Catalan restaurants in Barcelona and throughout the Catalonia region
#8 Calamares Fritos
Calamares Fritos | Photo Credits: Yuichi Sakuraba on Flickr
Calamares Fritos are crispy fried squid rings that are popular across Spain. The squid is cut into rings, coated lightly in batter, and fried until golden.
The outside becomes crunchy while the inside stays tender. Restaurants usually serve calamares with lemon wedges or garlic aioli. The lemon gives it freshness, while the aioli adds creamy garlic flavor.
In Madrid, you’ll see locals enjoying this dish at tapas bars, markets, and casual restaurants. It’s easy to share and pairs well with a cold drink. If you want to get the best calamares fritos, join a Madrid tapas tour where local guides bring you to some of the best tapas bars!
Ranking: #8
Where to eat it: Seafood restaurants and tapas bars in Madrid
#7 Croquetas
Croquetas | Photo Credits: Jonathan Pincas on Flickr
Croquetas are one of the most common tapas dishes in Spain. These small fried bites are filled with a creamy béchamel mixture.
The filling often includes ham, chicken, cheese, or mushrooms. The mixture is shaped into small pieces, coated with breadcrumbs, and fried until crispy.
When you bite into a croqueta, the outside is crunchy while the inside stays creamy and soft. Croquetas are perfect for sharing, which is why they appear on almost every tapas menu. Many restaurants also have their own versions or special fillings like creamy goat cheese.
Ranking: #7
Where to eat it: Tapas bars and traditional Spanish restaurants across Spain
#6 Churros con Chocolate
Churros con Chocolate | Photo Credits: Joy on Wikimedia
Churros con Chocolate is one of the most popular sweet snacks in Spain. Churros are long pieces of fried dough that are crispy outside and soft inside. They’re served with a cup of thick hot chocolate that’s perfect for dipping. The chocolate is richer and thicker than normal hot chocolate.
Many people eat churros for breakfast, while others enjoy them late at night. In cities like Madrid, churro cafés stay open late for people looking for a sweet snack. If you want to try them while exploring the city, you can join the Madrid Authentic Culture & Food Tour.
Ranking: #6
Where to eat it: Cafés and churro shops across Spain, especially in Madrid
#5 Gazpacho
Gazpacho | Photo Credits: Paul Goyette on Wikimedia
Gazpacho is a cold soup that comes from Andalusia in southern Spain. It’s made by blending tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.
Unlike most soups, gazpacho is served chilled. This makes it especially refreshing during Spain’s hot summers.
The flavor is light and fresh with a slightly tangy taste. Many restaurants serve it as a starter before the main meal.
Ranking: #5
Where to eat it: Andalusian restaurants and traditional Spanish eateries across Spain
#4 Patatas Bravas
Patatas Bravas | Photo Credits: Nano Erdozain on Pexels
Patatas Bravas is one of the most famous tapas in Spain. The dish is made up of crispy fried potatoes topped with a bold sauce. The sauce is usually tomato-based and slightly spicy. Some restaurants also add garlic aioli on top.
The potatoes are cut into cubes and fried until crispy outside and soft inside. When the sauce is poured over them, the flavor becomes even stronger!
You’ll find Patatas Bravas on menus in almost every tapas bar in Spain. Each place often has its own version of the sauce. But the best place to try it is during the El Born & Gothic Quarter Tipsy Tapas Tour, this gives you both sightseeing and food trip all in one!
Ranking: #4
Where to eat it: Tapas bars across Spain, especially in Barcelona
#3 Tortilla de Patatas (Tortilla Española)
Tortilla de Patatas | Photo Credits: Tamorlan on Wikimedia
Tortilla de Patatas, also called tortilla española, is a classic Spanish omelette made with eggs, potatoes, and olive oil. Some versions also include onions. The potatoes are cooked slowly in olive oil before being mixed with eggs. The mixture is then cooked into a thick omelette.
You’ll usually see slices of tortilla displayed in cafés and bars across Spain. Because it’s simple and filling, it’s a dish locals eat often. You can try it during the La Barceloneta Tapas Food Half-Day Tour.
Ranking: #3
Where to eat it: Tapas bars and traditional restaurants across Spain
#2 Jamón Ibérico
Jamón Ibérico | Photo Credits: Valdavia on Wikimedia
Jamón Ibérico is one of the most prized dishes in Spanish cuisine. This cured ham comes from Iberian pigs and is aged for several years. The ham is sliced paper-thin and served on a plate so you can fully enjoy the flavor. When you eat it, the ham almost melts in your mouth.
If you want to learn more about how it’s made and how to eat it properly, join the Jamón Experience Essentials! In this class, a Jamón Master will let you try two different types of jamón (Gran Reserva and 50% Ibérico de Cebo) and show you their unique flavors, textures, and aromas.
Ranking: #2
Where to eat it: Specialty ham shops and restaurants across Spain
#1 Paella
Paella | Photo Credits: Feda Wong on Wikimedia
For us, Paella takes the top spot as the most famous dish in Spain. This rice dish started in Valencia but is now known all over the world. Traditional paella Spain recipes use saffron rice cooked with seafood, chicken, rabbit, or vegetables.
Everything is cooked together in a wide pan. As the rice cooks, the bottom layer becomes slightly crispy. This part is called socarrat, and many people think it’s the best bite. You can even learn to cook it during a Paella Cooking Class in Barcelona!
Ranking: #1
Where to eat it: Valencia and seafood restaurants across Spain
FAQs about famous food in Spain
What is the most popular food in Spain?
One of the most popular dishes is paella. This rice dish from Valencia has become a symbol of Spanish cuisine. Many restaurants across Spain serve their own versions.
What is Spain's national food?
Spain does not officially have a national dish. However, paella is often considered the dish that best represents Spanish cuisine. Its global popularity makes it strongly linked to Spanish food culture.
What is the main meal in Spain?
Lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day in Spain. Many locals enjoy a large lunch with multiple courses. Dinner tends to be lighter and happens later in the evening.
What is a traditional Spanish dish?
A traditional Spanish dish usually uses simple ingredients like olive oil, potatoes, seafood, and garlic. Examples include tortilla española, gazpacho, and paella. These recipes have been part of Spanish cooking for generations.
Final verdict: ranking Spain’s famous foods
Trying the famous food in Spain is one of the best parts of visiting the country. Spanish dishes are simple, flavorful, and meant to be shared.
From famous tapas in Spain like Patatas Bravas to iconic dishes like paella, there’s always something new to try. Start planning your food adventure and discover why the famous food in Spain keeps travelers coming back for more!
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels
