Mantecados: How to Make Spain’s Crumbly Christmas Cookies
↓ Jump to Recipe On this page ⌄ At a Glance What Are Mantecados? Mantecados vs. Polvorones: What’s the Difference? … Read more
Spanish Cooking: Ingredients, Guides & Where to Start
✦ October’s Featured Dish
Marmitako
A Basque fishermen's stew of bonito, potatoes and peppers, originally cooked in one pot on deck. It belongs to the late-summer bonito run that carries into autumn.
Get the Recipe →Explore Spanish Food
Breakfast Dishes
Churros, tomato toast and Spain’s favorite morning pastries.
Desserts
Churros, flan, and Spain's favorite sweets.
Drinks
Sangría, sidra and refreshing Spanish beverages.
Holiday Dishes
Nochebuena and festive Spanish traditions.
Ingredients
Olive oil, saffron, and the staples of Spanish cooking.
Main Dishes
Paella, pulpo a la gallega and bacalao al pil pil.
Seafood Dishes
Fresh catches from Spain's Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.
Side Dishes
The perfect plate, completed.
Soups & Stews
Comforting gazpacho, fabada and other classic stews.
Street Foods
Bites and snacks from Spain's markets and streets.
Tapas
Spain's small-plate classics, from patatas bravas to croquetas.
Turrón
Jijona, Alicante, the flavored bars and the brands worth buying.
The Complete Spanish Food Guide
50 traditional dishes, ingredients, and cooking guides in one place.
Explore the Guide →Jamón Ibérico, Spain's Prized Cured Ham
Spain's prized cured ham, aged for deep, nutty flavor.
Explore the Guide →Spain's Best Tapas
Discover Spain's best tapas, from classic favorites to regional specialties.
Explore Tapas →Patatas Bravas, Spain's Favorite Fried Potatoes
Crispy fried potatoes with a smoky, spicy tomato sauce.
View the Recipe →Churros con Chocolate, A Spanish Classic
Fried dough pastries served with thick, rich hot chocolate.
View the Recipe →Latest Spanish Recipes
View All Recipes →Mantecados: How to Make Spain’s Crumbly Christmas Cookies
Chorizo al Vino (Spanish Chorizo in Red Wine) Recipe
Pulpo a la Gallega: How to Make Tender Galician Octopus
Almendras Rellenas: How to Make Spain’s Filled Christmas Almonds
Rebujito: Seville’s Feria Sherry Drink (Recipe, Ratios & History)
Types of Sherry: From Fino to PX, Explained
Patatas a lo Pobre: Andalusia’s Slow-Cooked Poor Man’s Potatoes
Seafood Paella: Authentic Spanish Recipe for Paella de Mariscos
Pan con Tomate: Authentic Spanish Tomato Bread Recipe
Pan de Cádiz: Spain’s Marzipan Christmas Loaf (Recipe & History)
A little Spanish curiosity
Fun Facts About Spanish Foods
Big flavors. Little surprises. There’s a story in every bite.
Behind the nameA tapa is a “lid.”
Tapa comes from tapar, “to cover.” The popular story says bartenders once set a slice of bread or ham on top of a glass to keep the flies out.
Food fightA whole town throws 100+ tons of tomatoes.
Every last Wednesday of August, thousands of people pack the streets of Buñol, near Valencia, for La Tomatina: an hour-long tomato fight that turns the town red.
Spanish Food FAQs
A little curious? Open a question.Is Spanish food spicy?
Usually, no. Spanish cooking gets its flavor from olive oil, garlic, pimentón (smoked paprika) and saffron rather than hot chiles. Even spicy dishes like patatas bravas are mild next to Mexican food.
Explore the Spanish pantry →What’s the national dish of Spain?
Spain has no official national dish. Paella from Valencia is the one most people name, with tortilla española a close second. Every region has its own favorites.
Get the paella valenciana recipe →What makes jamón ibérico special?
It comes from Spain’s black Iberian pigs and is cured for years. The top grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, comes from free-range pigs that fatten on acorns in the oak pastures of the southwest.
Read the jamón ibérico guide →Is a Spanish tortilla the same as a Mexican tortilla?
No. A Spanish tortilla is a thick omelet of eggs, potatoes and often onion, served in wedges. A Mexican tortilla is a flatbread made from corn or wheat.
Make a tortilla española →A Culinary Journey Through Spanish Cuisine
Spain is home to one of Europe’s most celebrated culinary traditions, where centuries of history, regional diversity, and exceptional local ingredients have created a cuisine admired around the world. From lively tapas bars and seafood-rich coastal dishes to hearty stews, cured meats, artisan cheeses, and unforgettable desserts, Spanish food is known for its simplicity, bold flavors, and emphasis on high-quality ingredients. Every region—from Andalusia and Catalonia to Galicia, Valencia, the Basque Country, and Madrid—offers its own distinctive specialties and culinary traditions.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Spain, searching for authentic Spanish recipes, or discovering the country’s most iconic dishes, you’ll find everything you need here. Explore classics like paella, tortilla española, gambas al ajillo, croquetas, gazpacho, and patatas bravas, along with regional specialties, traditional Spanish desserts, refreshing drinks, cooking guides, and the rich culinary heritage that has made Spain one of the world’s premier food destinations. Start with tapas favorites, continue through hearty regional dishes, and discover the incredible variety that makes Spanish cuisine so unique.
If you’re new to Spanish cuisine, start with our comprehensive guide to Spanish Food: 50 Traditional Dishes You Need to Try, then continue exploring our authentic recipes, desserts, drinks, and regional food guides. Whether you’re cooking at home or planning your next trip to Spain, AmigoFoods is your trusted resource for authentic Spanish food.
Chorizo al Vino (Spanish Chorizo in Red Wine) Recipe
Jump to Recipe ↓ On this page ▾ Chorizo al Vino at a Glance What Is Chorizo al Vino? Choosing … Read more
Pulpo a la Gallega: How to Make Tender Galician Octopus
Authentic pulpo a la gallega (polbo á feira): how to cook tender Galician octopus, with a timing chart, step-by-step photos, serving tips and a printable recipe.
Almendras Rellenas: How to Make Spain’s Filled Christmas Almonds
↓ Jump to Recipe On this page ⌄ At a Glance What Are Almendras Rellenas? Where Almendras Rellenas Come From … Read more
Rebujito: Seville’s Feria Sherry Drink (Recipe, Ratios & History)
The rebujito is Andalusia’s feria drink: dry sherry, lemon-lime soda, mint and plenty of ice, shared by the jarra. Here’s its real history, the ratio debate and a pitcher recipe for six.
Types of Sherry: From Fino to PX, Explained
From salty manzanilla to syrupy Pedro Ximénez, here are the types of sherry explained with official ABV ranges, serving temperatures, tapas pairings and how long an open bottle really lasts. Plus an easy fino sherry tonic.
Patatas a lo Pobre: Andalusia’s Slow-Cooked Poor Man’s Potatoes
Patatas a lo pobre are Andalusia’s humble potatoes, slowly cooked in olive oil with onion and green pepper until meltingly soft. Here’s the real technique, how to reuse the oil and an easy recipe.
Seafood Paella: Authentic Spanish Recipe for Paella de Mariscos
↓ Jump to Recipe On this page ⌄ At a Glance What Is Seafood Paella? Seafood Paella vs. Other Spanish … Read more
Pan con Tomate: Authentic Spanish Tomato Bread Recipe
↓ Jump to Recipe On this page ⌄ At a Glance What Is Pan con Tomate? Where Pan con Tomate … Read more
Pan de Cádiz: Spain’s Marzipan Christmas Loaf (Recipe & History)
↓ Jump to Recipe On this page ⌄ At a Glance What Is Pan de Cádiz? Inside a Slice: The … Read more
Agua de Valencia: History, Recipe & How Strong It Really Is
Agua de Valencia is Valencia’s sparkling jug cocktail of fresh orange juice, cava, gin and vodka. Here’s the verified origin story, a balanced recipe, and the ABV math most recipes leave out.
Cava Wine: A Guide to Spain’s Sparkling Wine
Cava is Spain’s traditional-method sparkling wine, and it’s one of the best bargains in bubbles. Learn the new rules, how it compares with prosecco and Champagne, and how Spaniards drink it.
Spanish Food: 50 Traditional Dishes You Need to Try
Updated October 4, 2026 Spanish food is simple cooking built on great ingredients: olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, pimentón, saffron, cured … Read more
12 Grapes Under the Table: The New Year’s Eve Tradition Explained
Why people eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, where the uvas de la suerte come from, and what eating them under the table means.
Serranito: Seville’s Pork, Pepper and Jamón Sandwich, With Recipe
The serranito is Seville’s beloved hot sandwich of pork loin, fried green pepper, tomato and serrano ham. Here’s its disputed history and an easy recipe with US-friendly swaps.