Food is an integral part of Spanish culture. So, when planning a trip around Spain, you should try as many types of traditional Spanish food as possible to get the most out of your experience. With so many different dishes and delicacies to try, in this post we will highlight some of the best, most authentic Spanish food that should be on your list.

1. Jamon Iberico

If you are looking for typical Spanish food, ham is right up there with paella and tapas because Spain is one of the world’s biggest producers and consumers of ham. Every year, Spain produces more than 35 million hams. Although that may seem like a lot, you will understand why the numbers are so high when you try the Spanish-cured ham dish Jamon Iberico.

While the most popular versions of this traditional dish come from the capital of Madrid, they are found around the country. Jamon Iberico first became a part of Spanish cuisine during the 1400s. Its simplicity is what led to its popularity. Black Iberian pigs are found along the peninsula to make the ham, which is dried and salted for 36 months. There are two main versions, and Jamon Iberico is more expensive than Jamon Serrano. It has a sweet and savory flavor and buttery smooth texture.

2. Seafood Paella

Another typical Spanish food in Spain is seafood paella. This is the national dish for many locals and has had a long history. It originated in the city of Valencia before it gained more widespread popularity and spread across the country and then to the world.

Although you may have tried this popular and famous Spanish food before, the authentic version is different. Enjoying it means you should go to Valencia to delight in the best paella you will ever taste. It consists of rice and mixed meats – chicken, sausage, rabbit, and snails – topped off with rosemary and saffron.

3. Zamburiñas A La Gallega

Another of the best Spanish dishes you should make an effort to try while traveling through Spain is Zamburinas a la Gallega. It originates from Galicia, located in the north western corner of Spain on the Iberian Peninsula. Although the town is renowned for historic lighthouses, wild and beautiful beaches, and densely wooded valleys, the ocean has given the community in Galicia one of the best traditional Spanish dishes in the country’s cuisine.

The dish consists of the famous Galician scallops caught off the Atlantic Ocean's edge. Importantly, Zamburinas are the better of the two types of scallops that originate from Spain, with the lesser being vieras. The shape and the flavor are why Zamburinas are so popular. 

4. Chorizo

If there are any food and ingredients you are likely to know from Spain, one of the most famous Spanish dishes is perhaps Chorizo. You can find this worldwide. But as we said before, something is quite different from chorizo in Spain. It first originated in 16th-century Spain, and then over the five centuries that followed, it took on various flavors. Now, you will find a versatile range of dry-cured, smoked, sweet, spicy iterations and even a vegan option.

Chorizo is the famous meat that is smoked, cured, and fermented. It is then generally chopped into small chunks, seasoned with garlic, salt, and Spanish paprika, and splashed with olive oil.

5. Gambas Al Ajillo

If you are looking for genuinely traditional Spanish dishes, tapas bars are a great place to explore and get the authentic flavor of Spanish cuisine. Gambas al Ajillo is among the most commonly available dishes in most tapas bars. The dish is simple but tasty: fresh prawns grilled and then topped with roasted garlic, olive oil, and chili. That might only sound particularly special once you put one of those prawns into your mouth.

6. Escalivada

Escalivada is one of the most authentic Spanish vegetarian dishes. It’s pretty strange in a country with a diet dominated by fish and meat, but this classic recipe originates from Catalunya. You will also find it in Murcia, Aragon, and Valencia. The dish consists of red peppers, onions, and eggplants grilled to give them a flavorsome, smoky taste.

All the vegetables in the dish are sliced thinly. Then, they swim in sherry vinegar and olive oil until they have soaked up the flavors and are appropriately moist. Generally speaking, it is traditional for them to be roasted on a BBQ grill or fire, although modern variations of the dish involve each vegetable being wrapped in foil and placed inside a conventional oven.

Once they are cooked to perfection, they are delicious on their own. You could rub a slice of bread with garlic and oil and place a generous serving of the vegetables on top. Many also pair the vegetables with Manchego cheese and serve with a glass of Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine similar to Prosecco.

7. Pulpo A La Gallega

As fish is one ingredient central to many typical Spanish dishes, it’s time to talk about octopus. For centuries, octopus has been used in the local cuisine and has become a delicacy. While octopus may be popular worldwide, Spain is famous for its octopus dishes.

One in particular is Pulpo a la Gallega, the name given to a popular Galician dish called Polbo a Feira. The best versions of this dish are found in Northern Spain, even if it is relatively simple.

In the past, the octopus would be boiled inside a large copper cauldron, and the cooking time has been refined over the years. This is a crucial part of the recipe because if you cook it for too long, it loses its flavor and stunning texture, whereas if you don’t cook it for long enough, it is tough to chew. After it has been boiled, the octopus is smothered in salt and paprika and splashed with olive oil. Generally, it is then served alongside some bread and an excellent red wine.

8. Salmorejo

If you head to Spain during the summer months, one of the authentic Spanish dishes you need to try is Salmorejo. This cold soup, perfect for hot summer days, was created in the country's small city of Cordoba in the south. It is similar to the other famous cold soup, gazpacho, but involves skinned tomatoes mixed with garlic and olive oil. Bread is added, and the added amount helps thicken the soup. The resulting dish is a creamy-flavored soup.

Some additions to this soup include ham, slices of hard-boiled eggs, and tuna.

9. Gazpacho

Another of the traditional Spanish dishes is the cold soup, gazpacho. Although we generally think of soups as dishes to warm us up, we are more familiar with gazpacho because it won’t keep us warm when the temperature drops. It is a nutritious, tasty, refreshing, ice-cold beverage in summer heat.

While you may know it for its creamy, rich tomato flavor, tomatoes were added only in the 1800s, a long time after its origination during the Roman Era. It works well as a main dish, but you will often find it on menus of Spanish side dishes.

10. Bocadillo

While you are out and about and don’t have time to stop and sit down to eat, one of the famous Spanish dishes that is great on the go is the mouthwatering bocadillo. It is a baguette-style loaded stick filled with your choice of cheese, meat, and vegetables. This has been popular for many centuries, mainly as it was a food that even the poorest of the country had money to buy. From its humble beginnings, it became more widespread across Spain, with different regions, towns, and cities giving it their touch with fillings.

11. Patatas Bravas

One of the hallmarks of traditional Spanish food is simplicity. One extremely popular and straightforward dish is patatas bravas, served in tapas bars and consisting of cubed potatoes fried in boiling olive oil. Once cooked, they are placed onto a small plate and drizzled in spicy sauce, salsa brava, or aioli. To finish the dish, they are topped with succulent sundried tomatoes. Although you will find them throughout the country, some of the best in Spain are found in Madrid.

12. Spanish Omelette

Another simple dish that is one of the most famous Spanish dishes is Spanish Omelette. The only ingredients you need are onions, potatoes, and eggs. If you want to keep things traditional, you don’t need to include the onions. The dish is made by cubing the potatoes and frying them as you would when making patatas bravas in a small amount of olive oil. Then, after you have cooked the onions, if you are including them, you need to add the eggs. Grill it on both sides and slice it into bite-sized pieces to finish it off.

13. Pistos

Have you ever tried ratatouille? Then you may love pistos, too. Pistos are one of the most famous authentic Spanish dishes and can be found throughout the country. However, the best versions will likely be found in the villages and towns south of Madrid within the La Mancha region. Generally, it is served as a warmup for a main meal on a shared plate or as an appetizer.

At its foundation is a mixture of peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and courgettes fried slowly in olive oil. The idea is to take the time to allow all the flavors to mix. In addition to these essential ingredients, some versions include chopped-up chorizo or fried eggs. However, one of the most delicious is Pisto Con Huevos. Use a cast-iron skillet and fry the onions before adding the rest, along with bay leaves, thyme, and oregano. Crack open four large eggs and serve the finished dish with parsley.

14. Croquetas

Another of the most famous Spanish dishes you should try in Spain is the renowned tapa dish, Croquetas. This consists of breadcrumbs shaped into balls and filled with leftovers, usually a delicious mixture of vegetables and meats, and then topped off with sublime bechamel sauce. Although they originally came from France, they were exported to Spain during the early half of the 19^th century for a royal banquet.

From that point onwards, it became a very popular Spanish dish in its own right.

15. Burnt Basque Cheesecake

Among the most famous Spanish dishes you will likely have heard of before reading this post, is Burnt Basque Cheesecake. If you want a truly authentic take on this memorable dish, you must head to San Sebastian or a restaurant named La Vina.

16. Pimientos De Padron

For one of the more intriguing authentic Spanish dishes, you should look to the region of Padron and the Padron peppers that originate from there. This is a delicacy that has a very unique flavor and is served in a variety of different ways.

This dish is fascinating to travelers and is widespread across the country. A lot of the intrigue stems from their very peculiar, beguiling shape. They are tiny, twist from the top down to the bottom, and change in width as it progresses. Despite what you may think about their shape and how they look, their flavor will have you returning for more. You will find that they are either very mild or piping hot. What’s even more intriguing from a flavor point of view is that no two peppers are ever precisely the same.

17. Churros Con Chocolate

One of the most famous Spanish dishes we have yet to mention is churros. Don’t be surprised if you are offered churros for breakfast. Although you are likely to have tried them outside of Spain, the best types of churros are found in Spain. The recipe for churros involves a dough pastry that is pushed into a churrera, a special star-shaped syringe. It is then fried until it is crunchy and is served with chocolate sauce or hot chocolate.

Final Thoughts

If you are heading to Spain this year or sometime soon, you have a good idea of the best and most popular Spanish dishes you should try there. We have kept our list diverse enough to appeal to all tastes, preferences, and dietary considerations. Please let us know in the comments section if we missed your favorite dish.