The 10 best places to eat in Spain
Spanish cuisine has a handful of dishes that have conquered the world. There are Spanish restaurants around the world acting as ambassadors, for better or worse, of Spain’s cooking traditions. However, which areas within Spain itself stand out for culinary excellence? The following is a list of the best places to eat in Spain.
The delights of Spanish gastronomy
Eating well can mean many things. Though gluttony may be one of our more habitual sins, for many people, eating well might still means eating a lot or at least, finishing a meal without feeling hungry.
Of course, quantity is not the only thing that counts. Fundamentals matter like top quality produce and the cuisine’s standing, based on decades of culinary excellence. Each region’s traditional way of preparing its dishes and its overall contribution to Spanish gastronomy are also taken into account.
Last but not least, this list considers the overall satisfaction of each regional cuisine. These 10 places share the common factor of being places where dining is enjoyed so much that gastronomic tourism constitutes a big reason why many people visit them.
Ranking of Spain’s best places to eat
10. Valencia
Having bestowed upon the world its famous paella is reason enough to include Valencia here. Valencian paella conjures up the lagoon landscape of the Albufera region and the way of life rooted in the rice fields. The marvel of Spain’s Mediterranean rice dishes does not end here though.
In addition to the classic paella, other variations including seafood, black rice and arrós a banda, extol the glory of this region’s cuisine.
9. Cáceres
With an array of top-quality food products, Cáceres has made itself a destination for committed gourmets. Whoever tastes the Torta del Casar cheese, the cherries from Jerte or the paprika from Vera will surely want second-helpings. Other delicacies worth mentioning are jamón ibérico, Extremaduran migas and regional stews such as the lamb caldereta. The denominations of origin are excellent and plentiful in this area of Spain and Cáceres was the Gastronomic Capital of Spain in 2015.
8. El Bierzo
The region of El Bierzo in Castilla y León province cannot help but call to mind good dining for the exceptional quality of its traditional fare. Typical food items procured from pork, such as botillo (meat-stuffed pork intestines) and other tasty gammon specialties, like cecina, play a central role in this region.
Its famed produce includes roasted peppers, beans and even its apples bear Protected Denomination of Origin status.
7. Asturias
Asturias makes the list of best places to eat in Spain in terms of quantity, though that is not its primary claim to fame. Beyond the renowned fabada, beans also play a part in other succulent dishes such as fabes with clams.
As opposed to the colossal cachopo or robust cheeses, there are other mouthwatering delicacies to savour like Asturian seafood, an abundance of mushrooms and celebrated desserts, which include arroz con leche and pastries like frixuelos and casadielles.
6. Sevilla
Sevilla encapsulates the entire Andalusian tradition. Though it may seem an ambitious statement, the province’s capital city undeniably offers the best of Andalusia’s unique gastronomy and the ideal setting, whether it be the Seville Fair or just out for some tapas.
All the delights from the Andalusian coast such as pescaíto, boquerones or anchovies, chocos or cuttlefish and cazón or shark can be found as well as jamón ibérico, gazpacho and of course, those heavenly Fino and Manzanilla sherry wines.
5. Barcelona
A walk through the La Boqueria Market is a microcosm of everything that is happening in Barcelona. There are still places in the city that embody Cataluña’s delectable gastronomic tradition, whether it be enjoying tapas in the Barceloneta Beach, a vermouth in Sant Antoni district or in any of its magnificent restaurants on offer.
4. El Ampurdán
The Ampurdán regions have the rare advantage of being written about by acclaimed writer Josep Pla. The author describes the delicacies of this land, which combine superb ingredients like Palamós prawns, L’Escala anchovies and Empordà D.O. wine with the know-how of fishermen and countless chefs. The Costa Brava and the inland regions of Figueres, Palafrugell and Corçà are home to culinary temples able to win over any stomach.
3. Madrid
Though it may be a cliché to say that Madrid has Spain’s best seafood on offer, there is still a lot of truth to that statement. It is no exaggeration to say that Spain’s preeminent gastronomy can be savoured without ever stepping foot out of Madrid, with its ample selection suited to all tastes. While the calamari bocadillo or callos may seem modest contributions, any city offering a variety of Betanzos tortillas deserves top-ranking.
2. Santiago de Compostela
All of Galicia promises extraordinarily high-quality produce and is, undoubtedly, an embodiment of Spain’s celebrated gastronomy. A snapshot of this can be witnessed at Santiago de Compostela’s Abastos Fish Market, itself a tourist draw, from whence the sea’s delights find their way to seafood restaurants, local grocers, taverns and grill houses. Eating in Santiago de Compostela is a festival for the taste buds and one not to be missed when visiting Galicia’s capital.
1. Donostia – San Sebastián
Few things garner such consensus as the notion that the Basque Country boasts of wonderful cuisine. Without a doubt, San Sebastián’s culinary prominence has earned it a site of pilgrimage for many. From the simplicity of its pintxos to the gourmet dishes cooked by its world-famous chefs, the entire province of Guipúzcoa in the Basque Country is a delight at mealtime.
The Basque fishing tradition has bestowed such unforgettable dishes as marmitako, cod in pil-pil and txangurro a la Donostiarra, while not forgetting those flavourful steaks on offer at grill houses. Topping it off with an Idiazábal cheese, some Gernika peppers and a glass of the famous txakolí white wine makes for an unbeatable experience.
You can also read this article in Spanish here.
Follow us on Facebook!