Restaurants, bars and tapas in Spain

There are restaurants (restaurantes) and bars (bares) which serve coffee, drinks, tapas and light meals all day, cafeterías, traditional tascas, world restaurants from Moroccan, Turkish, Arab, Asian and Italian, and fast-food outlets.

• Spaniards have breakfast of coffee with a croissant or toast (tostada) and orange juice, and take an almuerzo, that is a light meal, between ten and eleven, then lunch late at about half past two, and dinner after nine.
• Restaurants stay empty before these times mostly, and in tourist areas many restaurants serve meals at early times.
• At weekends book a table in advance.

On arrival you may choose a table yourself in bars and cafés, and in smart restaurants the waiter leads you.

• The waiter brings the menu (la carta) or you ask about the day menu (menú del día) which is a full meal at a fixed price on weekdays at lunch: a first course, a second course and dessert or coffee, a drink and bread for about ten to fifteen euros, and it is the best value.
• They order drinks first.
• Tap water (agua del grifo) is acceptable and you can ask for it, and it may be served free or at a symbolic price.
• The waiter does not rush or interrupt you, and you call him with a hand signal or by saying Perdone.
• And in bars you stand at the counter and order and pay at the end.

Tapas are small dishes that are shared: potatoes with sauce (patatas bravas), Spanish omelette (tortilla de patatas), croquettes, olives, cheese, fried fish, octopus and others.

• In some cities (such as Granada and León) free tapas are served with every drink.
• In others (such as Madrid) they are ordered and paid for.
• And raciones are known, of a bigger size shared on the table, and pintxos in the Basque Country on bread with skewers counted at the end.
• Eating by sharing means everyone reaches for the dishes and often divides the bill equally.
• And do not expect each person to take their own plate.
• And some dishes include pork (jamón and chorizo), so ask before ordering.

Halal restaurants (Moroccan, Turkish, Arab, Indian and Pakistani) are widespread in most cities, and you find them on maps or apps such as Zabihah.

• In ordinary restaurants ask the waiter ¿Lleva cerdo?
• meaning does it contain pork, and ¿Lleva alcohol?
• meaning does it contain alcohol, since many traditional dishes contain pork or its fat (manteca) or wine.
• And say No como cerdo meaning I do not eat pork.
• Some staff do not understand its importance so explain politely.
• For those with allergies European law obliges restaurants to inform about fourteen main allergens.
• Vegetarian dishes (vegetariano) are available and sometimes limited.
• And many restaurants offer fish and seafood.

Ask for the bill by saying La cuenta, por favor or with a gesture as if signing, since the waiter often will not bring it on his own.

• The bill is paid at the table or at the counter, often by card, and separate payment is possible but splitting the bill is more common.
• The tip (propina) is not compulsory because service is included in prices, but a few euros or rounding up the amount is often left when satisfied, and no large percentage is needed.
• Buen provecho is said before eating, and the glass is raised with ¡Salud!
• or ¡Chin chin!
• Talking relatively loudly and everyone laughing is not considered rude.
• When invited to a home bring a small gift such as sweets, be a little flexible about time, and expect to sit for hours.

What is the menú del día?