A guide to the 10 tapas dishes from Spain to indulge while traveling
Tapas is one of the most beloved culinary traditions given by Spanish cuisine to the world.
These tasty, bite-sized meals are ideal for sharing and provide a fun opportunity to try several amazing tapas recipes in one meal.
In this article, we journey through the top 10 tapas dishes that every food enthusiast must try.
Join us as we explore these Spanish recipes, each a delicious piece of Spain’s gastronomic puzzle.
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Top 10 tapas dishes you must try
Regarding Spanish cuisine, the top 10 tapas dishes are a must-try for any food lover. These small plates offer a delightful variety of flavors and textures, perfect for sharing with friends.
Tapas in Spain are small, flavorful dishes typically served as appetizers or snacks, perfect for sharing.
They range from simple olives and cheese to elaborate seafood and meat creations, reflecting the country’s diverse culinary traditions.
1. Tortilla de Patatas
One of the top 10 tapas dishes and Spanish starters is tortilla de patatas, which is a versatile dish made with beaten eggs and fried potatoes, ideal for multiple occasions.
Although it will take a while to cook this tasty Spanish tapa, it will be worth it.
To prepare an unforgettable tortilla de patatas for two at home, you will peel, cut, and fry three medium potatoes.
Once these are ready, you will pour them into four large beaten eggs. When the mixture is even, you just have to cook it in the frying pan with a splash of olive oil.
If you are short of time, you can prepare a plain Spanish omelet.
Get the recipe: Tortilla de Patatas
2. Croquettes
Our top 10 tapas dishes ranking can’t miss croquetas! Spanish love tapas croquettes because these crispy bites make everyone’s day better!
Restaurants offer a wide variety of croquetas.
Depending on the ingredients used, you will get Spanish potato croquettes, Spanish chicken croquettes, Spanish mushroom croquettes, or the most popular ones: Spanish ham croquettes.
Bacalao croquettes are the best Spanish fish croquettes to share with some great white wine.
Boil a cod and some potatoes, mash these ingredients, shape the dough into small meatballs, and coat them with breadcrumbs.
Fry the Spanish cod croquettes in abundant olive oil and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Spanish Croquettes recipes
3. Crispy Patatas Bravas
The third position of our top 10 tapas is for patatas bravas, which is one of the easiest and best Spanish tapas!
These chunky potatoes are peeled, cut into big cubes, and fried. The spicy sauce poured on top of them is made by grinding a sauteé onion, a garlic clove, tomato sauce, and a chilly pepper.
If you are a spicy lover, this is the best Spanish tapa to share with your friends when gathering together.
Get the recipe: Patatas Bravas
4. Albondigas
Albóndigas are one of the most popular Spanish tapas throughout the country. The classic recipe uses pork meat, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, eggs, and some flour.
To taste some great albóndigas you just need to mix all these ingredients, shape the dough into small balls, coat them with some flour, and fry the meatballs in abundant olive oil.
When the albóndigas are ready, you should use the same frying pan to prepare some tomato sauce.
You can add a bay leaf and some garlic cloves to give a delicious aroma to the sauce.
After that, it is time to enjoy this delicious tapas food, and don’t forget to get a great white bread to dip in the delicious tomato sauce you have prepared.
Get the recipe: Spanish meatballs recipe or Albóndigas soup
5. Gambas al Ajillo
If you are looking for easy Spanish tapas recipes to impress your guests, you should know that Spanish garlic prawns are one of these.
Gambas al ajillo or gambas al pil pil is one of the top 10 tapas dishes in coastal regions of Spain and it appears in most tapas menu.
When preparing these kids of Spanish tapas recipes great results depend on the ingredients used.
That’s why we encourage you to purchase some fresh prawns in a local market.
The elaborating process is simple, you just need to sauteé some sliced garlic cloves with prawns. If you like spiciness, you can add a bell pepper.
Get the recipe: Gambas al Pil Pil
6. Spanish Berenjenas con Miel
One of top 10 tapas dishes from Málaga are berenjenas fritas con miel.
Preparing this Spanish tapa is quite time-consuming because you need to slice a few aubergines and fry them in abundant olive oil.
The key ingredient of berenjenas con miel is dark honey which you can purchase at local shops.
This special kind of honey should be poured on the already sliced and fried aubergines or placed on the side of the dish to dip them in.
Get the recipe: Berenjenas fritas con miel
7. Spanish Octopus Recipe – Pulpo Gallego
Amazing tapas recipes like pulpo gallego are delicious but tricky to prepare because getting the right texture when boiling the octopus is difficult.
If you visit Andalusia, you should order this Spanish tapa in local restaurants where fresh fish is served.
To make pulpo a la gallega at home, you should boil a few potatoes and an octopus. Then, you need to slice both ingredients.
To prepare the tapa, place the octopus on top of the sliced potatoes and pour some extra virgin olive oil, coarse salt, and pimentón de la vera.
Get the recipe: Spanish octopus recipe
8. Espinacas con Garbanzos
Espinacas con garbanzos are one of our top 10 tapas dishes from Spain because it is healthy and tasty.
Spinach with chickpeas should be ordered in winter because it is a hot Spanish tapa that will give you the energy you need to face a busy day.
If you follow the traditional recipe you get a delicious vegan dish because you just need to prepare a sofrito and let some spinach and chickpeas boil in vegetable broth.
Nevertheless, you can use some lentils or beans instead of chickpeas, and add some chorizo if you feel like eating some meat.
Get the recipe: Spanish chickpea stew
9. Fried Spanish Calamari Recipe
Authentic tapas recipes like calamares fritos can be found all around Andalucia. You can find them in the most great tapas menu of local restaurants.
Fresh squid is the key ingredient of this dish. To make this fantastic Spanish tapa you just need to slice the calamar and coat the rings with some flour.
Then, you should fry them in abundant olive oil and place some Spanish garlic sauce on the side to dip the fried Spanish calamari.
You can also add some lemon juice drops to give citrus notes to the tapa.
Get the recipe: Spanish Calamari recipe
10. Chorizo a la Sidra
Chorizos a la sidra is one of the most popular tapas from Asturias, where you can find lots of restaurants serving these kinds of traditional Spanish tapas.
The last of our top 10 tapas dishes ranking is one of the most authentic Spanish tapas recipes: chorizos a la sidra.
Spanish chorizo tapas are easily prepared. To get the best chorizos a la sidra you just need to slice and sauteé some garlic cloves and tomato puree with chorizo.
When these are golden brown, pour some sidra inside the frying pan.
Then, you should constantly stir the ingredients. Once these are ready, you just have to use a clay dish to serve them
Get the recipe: Spanish chorizo recipe
Short FAQ about the top 10 tapas dishes
What is the most famous tapas in Spain?
One of the top 10 tapas dishes is tortilla de patatas.
This is ideal hot or cold and it is one of the best Spanish starters to share.
A great Spanish tapas menu should include calamares fritos and croquetas.
Both of them are traditional Spanish tapas that must be tasted.
What is Spain’s most famous dish?
One of the most famous Spanish dishes is paella.
Although it is usually a main course, you can also order a paella as a tapa when visiting Valencia.
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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