A guide to the best Spanish starters to make at home
Finding the best Spanish starters can be an adventure in itself.
For anyone curious about how to start an authentic Spanish meal, this guide gathers the most traditional Spanish starters that locals adore and visitors never forget.
If you have ever wondered which are the best Spanish recipes for the perfect starters, this collection will take you straight to the heart of Spanish dining culture.
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1. Pulpo a la Gallega
Pulpo a la Gallega, also known as Polbo á Feira in Galicia, is a dish steeped in seafaring tradition.
Tender octopus is boiled until soft, sliced, and sprinkled generously with smoked paprika and sea salt, then drizzled with golden olive oil.
The texture is delicate, and the smoky aroma makes it one of the popular Spanish starters found at every Galician fair.
The Spanish octopus recipe is served on a wooden plate with boiled potatoes; it is a true, authentic Spanish starter that captures the salty air of northern Spain.
Get the recipe: Spanish octopus recipe
2. Pan con Tomate
Spanish tomato toast, hailing from Catalonia, is proof that simplicity can be delicious.
Fresh tomatoes are rubbed into toasted bread, then topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.
The best versions use ripe tomatoes and pan de payés, a rustic country loaf.
This traditional Spanish appetizer recipe has spread across the country, often paired with jamón ibérico and a glass of red wine.
Get the recipe: Spanish tomato toast
3. Chorizo al Vino
This Spanish chorizo recipe is a hearty hot Spanish starter beloved across Spain.
It is a dish often served at festive gatherings, when kitchens fill with the scent of paprika and garlic.
Slices of smoky chorizo are simmered in red wine until tender, infusing the sauce with a deep, spicy flavour.
Pair it with crusty bread and you have one of the most typical Spanish starters to share around a busy table.
Get the recipe: Spanish chorizo recipe
4. Pimientos de Padrón
Pimientos de padrón are tiny green peppers fried in olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt.
Grown mainly in Galicia, these Spanish padron peppers capture the rustic, unpretentious side of Spanish cooking, where local produce takes centre stage.
Most pimientos de padrón are mild, but some of them carries a fiery surprise, making them a playful and addictive tapa to have with friends.
Get the recipe: Spanish padron peppers
5. Croquetas de Jamón
The Spanish ham croquettes are the heart of Spanish finger food.
This is one of those traditional best Spanish starters that evoke childhood memories.
Creamy béchamel sauce, bits of cured ham, and a crisp breadcrumb crust make them irresistibly rich.
They require patience to prepare, as you have to wait until the filling is completely cool before frying and to shape each croqueta, but the result is worth every minute.
Get the recipe: Spanish ham croquettes
6. Patatas Bravas
Found everywhere from Madrid bars to Barcelona cafés, patatas bravas perfectly represent Spanish tapas and starters culture: simple, sociable, and full of flavour.
Cubes of fried potato are topped with a spicy tomato sauce or alioli, creating one of the most famous Spanish tapas recipes ever invented.
Do not hesitate about ordering this delicious tapa to bring bold flavours to the table.
Get the recipe: Patatas bravas
7. Albóndigas
Albóndigas, or Spanish meatballs, are a staple of traditional Spanish dishes.
Typically made with minced beef or pork, they are simmered in a rich tomato sauce with a hint of white wine.
Small, juicy, and packed with herbs, they make for one of the best Spanish appetizers to serve hot at dinner or as part of a larger tapas spread.
Get the recipe: Spanish meatballs
8. Boquerones en Vinagre
For those who love seafood, boquerones en vinagre offers one of the freshest Spanish cold starters.
Along the coastlines of Málaga and Cádiz, you will often find fishermen selling small anchovies glistening in the morning sun.
These anchovies are cleaned, deboned, and marinated in white wine vinegar until they turn a delicate ivory white.
Garlic, parsley, and olive oil complete the picture, transforming this humble fish into something bright and elegant.
In seaside taverns, they are served chilled in small earthenware dishes, sometimes with a side of crisp breadsticks and a slice of lemon.
Get the recipe: Boquerones en vinagre
9. Calamares Fritos
The Spanish calamari recipe is irresistible, fried squid rings fried in olive oil until crisp, which have conquered hearts across Spain.
These best Spanish starters are proof that perfection often lies in simplicity.
In Madrid, these golden rings are tucked into crusty rolls to make the legendary bocadillo de calamares, a must-have around Plaza Mayor.
In coastal cities like Valencia or Alicante, they arrive at the table in paper cones, hot from the fryer, with a squeeze of lemon that releases a whisper of zest into the air.
These are an emblem of Spanish finger food — communal, casual, and brimming with life.
Get the recipe: Spanish calamari recipe
10. Mussels in tomato sauce
In the fishing villages of northern Spain, especially along the Galician rías, mussels are cultivated on wooden rafts called bateas.
Once harvested, they are steamed open and bathed in a sauce of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and paprika.
The sauce simmers slowly, thickening just enough to coat each mussel.
Served with slices of crusty bread to mop up the sauce, this dish is both rustic and comforting.
It evokes the image of family gatherings at long wooden tables, where bowls of mussels are passed around and conversation flows as freely as the local wine.
These are the kind of starters from Spain that remind you that eating is a shared joy.
Get the recipe: Mussels recipe
11. Spanish Marinated Olives Recipe
No tapas spread is complete without Spanish marinated olives, small yet mighty ambassadors of the Mediterranean.
These Spanish tapas and starters are marinated in olive oil, garlic, thyme, and orange zest, sometimes with a hint of chili or cumin.
The longer they marinate, the deeper their flavour becomes.
They are among the best Spanish starters and pair beautifully with crisp sherry or a cold beer, making them a timeless companion to conversation.
Get the recipe: Spanish marinated olives
12. Buñuelos de Bacalao
Buñuelos de bacalao are golden cod fritters that offer a taste of Andalusia’s deep Moorish roots.
These authentic Spanish starters are comfort food at its finest, humble ingredients transformed through time and tradition into something festive and unforgettable.
Salt cod is soaked, flaked, and blended with flour, parsley, and egg to form a light batter.
A spoonful dropped into hot olive oil puffs up instantly, turning crisp on the outside and airy inside.
Served hot, sometimes with a drizzle of lemon juice, they are a perfect example of traditional Spanish dishes that honour both land and sea.
Get the recipe: Buñuelos de bacalao
13. Spanish Trampo Salad
From the shores of the Balearic Islands comes Spanish trampó salad, a dish that captures the essence of summer.
It belongs to the family of vegetarian Spanish starters, where freshness and simplicity rule.
Made with tomatoes, green peppers, and onions chopped finely and dressed in olive oil, it is light yet bursting with flavour.
The secret lies in using the ripest tomatoes and best-quality olive oil.
Refreshing and colourful, trampó salad proves that the best Spanish starters do not need to be elaborate to be memorable.
In Mallorca, locals often eat it alongside grilled fish or crusty bread, savouring each bite as the afternoon sun warms the tiled rooftops.
Get the recipe: Trampó salad
14. Papas Arrugadas
One of the culinary treasures of Spain can be found on the Canary Islands.
Papas arrugás stand out for their simplicity and charm.
Known as “wrinkled potatoes,” these small local potatoes are boiled in seawater until their skins wrinkle and form a delicate crust of salt.
Served with the famous mojo picón, a fiery red sauce made from paprika, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, they embody the spirit of the islands.
Eaten by hand, still warm, they are one of the best Spanish starters and a staple of local festivals.
Each bite carries the essence of the Canary Islands: sunshine, salt air, and joy.
Get the recipe: Papas arrugás
15. Cazón en Adobo
The Andalusian coast, with its golden sands and bustling markets, brings us marinated cazón fish, or Cazón en Adobo.
This dish is among the best Spanish starters to try if you want a taste of traditional southern cooking
The fish is marinated in vinegar, paprika, cumin, and oregano for at least eight hours before being coated in flour and fried.
The result is a crisp exterior with a tender, aromatic centre.
Each mouthful has a whisper of vinegar and spice, balancing acidity with warmth.
It is a favourite during summer fairs, served in small portions on paper plates to be enjoyed while walking through lively crowds.
Get the recipe: Marinated cazón fish
16. Berenjenas Fritas con Miel
Moving inland, berenjenas fritas con miel, or fried aubergine with honey, showcases Andalusia’s deep culinary history.
This is one of the best Spanish starters that turns simple ingredients into pure art.
Thin slices of aubergine are dusted in flour and fried until golden, then drizzled with miel de caña, a thick, dark syrup produced around Frigiliana.
Served warm, it is crunchy, soft, and fragrant all at once, an unexpected gem among Spanish appetizers.
Locals will tell you that the key lies in soaking the aubergine in milk before frying, ensuring a tender texture.
Get the recipe: Berenjenas fritas con miel
Short FAQ about Spanish starters
What is a good Spanish appetizer?
A good Spanish appetizer captures the country’s love for flavour and sharing.
From Spanish tapas and starters like patatas bravas and croquetas de jamón, to Spanish cold starters such as boquerones en vinagre.
These easy Spanish starters are perfect for gatherings, offering a taste of authentic Spanish culture in every bite.
What are famous starters in Spain?
Some of the most popular Spanish starters include tortilla española, pimientos de padrón, and pan con tomate, each representing the essence of traditional Spanish dishes.
These typical Spanish starters are served in bars and homes across the country, proving that simplicity and quality ingredients make the best Spanish starters.
What are the most traditional Spanish starters?
The most traditional Spanish starters include gazpacho, albóndigas, and buñuelos de bacalao, often featured in classic Spanish tapas recipes.
Rooted in local traditions, these authentic Spanish starters highlight Spain’s regional diversity, from hearty hot Spanish starters to light and healthy Spanish starters that celebrate the Mediterranean way of eating.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
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