Spain’s Atlantic Coast: (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country)

 

 

 

Province: Galicia

 

Salty sea air and a fishing fleet sailing out deep into the mid-Atlantic heavily influence tapas in Galicia. A pilgrimage to Galicia for tapas is a truly divine experience.

 

What to sample?

 

• Pulpo (Octopus). It’s everywhere and it’s delicious

• Empanada Gallega (typical fish pie)

• Tigres (mussels with a spicy sauce)

• Nécoras (small crabs)

• Bueyes de mar (large crabs)

• Los Tequenos (fried pastry stuffed with cheese)

• All varieties of fish and shellfish dishes (steamed, boiled, barbecued and fried)

• Inland Galicia is famous for its sausages such as Androlla and Botelo, as well as Chorizo and Salchichones (salami style sausages)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: A Coruña 

Areas: Calle Olmos, Calle de la Franja, Calle Galera, Calle de la Estrella, Calle Barrera, Plaza María Pita, Plaza de Lugo, Calle del Padre Feijoo, Plaza de España.

 

City: Vigo

Areas: Zona Gran Vía, Zona de las Ostras (Plaza de la Pescadería), Calle de la Piedra, Calle Laxe, Calle Montero Ríos, Paseo del Náutico, Ribera del Berbés, Barrio de Bouzas.

 

City: Santiago de Compostela

Areas: Rua do Franco, Pua do Vilar, Rua Nova, Ruta Paris-Dakar.

 

City: Orense / Ourense

Areas: in the Casco Viejo (old town) (in Calle San Miguel, Calle Lepanto, Calle Viriato), Plaza del Hierro.

 

City: Pontevedra

Areas: in the Casco Viejo (old town) (in Plaza de Ferrería, Plaza de Mendez Nuñez and Plaza la Estrella), Rua dos Soportais, Calle Charino, Plaza de la Leña, Plaza de la Verdura.

 

City: Lugo

Areas: in the Casco Viejo (old town) at Rua Nova, Plaza do Campo, Rua da Cruz, Zona de Campo Castelo), Acea de Olga (Southern part of the city/ University Campus), Plaza de A Milagrosa (Northern part of the city), Recatelo (near Rosalia de Castro park).

 

 

 

 

Province: Asturias

 

Where mountains meet the sea and everything in between. Think surf and turf tapas.

 

What to sample?

• ‘Fabada’ - a typical bean casserole normally served as a main course, although also sold in tapa portion sizes too

• Cheeses such as Cabrales, Picón, Gamoneu, Afuega el Pitu or Peral

• Chorizo a la sidra (chorizo sausage cooked in cider)

• Patatas al cabrales (fried potatoes with Cabrales blue cheese)

• Bollos preñaos (bread buns stuffed with chorizo)

• Fritos de Pixín (fried monkfish in bite size pieces)

• Oricio (sea urchin)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Gijon

Areas: Zona de vinos del Carmen (in between Plaza de Italia and Plaza del Carmen), Barrio de Cimadevilla, Plaza Mayor, Barrio de la Arena, Zona de Begoña.

 

City: Avilés

Areas: Plaza de Carbayedo, Calle Galiana, Calle Rivero y Ferreria.

 

City: Oviedo

Areas: La Ruta de los Vinos (near the central train station), Plaza del Fontán, Calle Gascona.

 

 

 

 

Province: Cantabria

 

Slotted in between Asturias and Basque Country, this mountainous paradise blends green splendour with wide sandy beaches and delicious tapas.

 

What to sample?

• Rabas (deep-fried battered Calamari)

• Anchovies

• Almejas a la Marinera (clams in a tomato white wine sauce)

• Sardines

• Cheeses such as ‘Queso de Nata’ (cream cheese)

• Small ‘Quesucos’ made from a mixture of cow’s and sheep’s milk

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Santander

Areas: Plaza de Cañadío, Paseo Pereda, Calle Vargas, Calle Hernán Cortés, Zona de Puertochico (near the sailing club), Barrio Pesquero and Calle Tetuan.

 

 

 

Province: Basque Country

 

Cut off from Spain for many a century, Basque Country is at the cutting-edge of tapas technology. A visit here will leave your tongue titillated. Caution - the tapas here are incredibly yummy so leave your trouser belt at home. You have been warned!

 

What to sample?

 

• Gilda (toothpick with olives, anchovies, pickled chilli, etc.)

• Txangurro (crab)

• Txipirones en su tinta (squid cooked in its ink)

• Idiazabal cheese (smoked sheep’s cheese)

• Bacalao (salted cod)

• Carpaccio de Bacalao Fresco (Carpaccio of fresh cod).

• Plus, many many more to discover

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Bilbao

Areas: Casco Viejo (Plaza Nueva, Calle Somera, Calle Iturribide), Calle Ledesma, Calle García Rivero, Calle de Licenciado Pozas, Calle de la Diputación, Jardines Albia, La Alhondiga.

 

City: San Sebastián / Donostia

Areas: Parte Vieja (Old Town), Calle Pescadería, Calle 31 de Agosto, Zona Gros (Calle Padre Larroca), Zona Centro (Calle Elcano, Calle San Marcial).

 

City: Vitoria / Gazteiz

Areas: Casco Histórico (old city: Calle Correría, Plaza Virgen Blanca), Zona Centro (Calle Postas, Calle Fueros, La Florida, Calle Dato).

 

 

 

Northern Spain (Navarra, La Rioja, Aragón)

 

 

 

Province: Navarra

 

Tapas are called ‘Pintxos’ here and the X factor goes into every tapa. Keep a close eye out for bulls in the street.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Chistorra (thin air-dried sausage)

• Chorizo

• Jamon de Pato ahumado (smoked duck)

• Foie gras

• Idiazabal Cheese (smoked sheep’s milk cheese)

• Roncal Cheese (hard sheep’s milk cheese)

• White Asparagus

• Pimentos del Piquillo Rellenos (stuffed small red peppers)

• Cordero al Chilindrón (lamb stew)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Pamplona

Areas: Calle Estafeta, Plaza del Castillo, Calle San Nicolás, Avenida de Bayona.

 

 

 

Province: La Rioja

 

Not only famous for its wine, the Rioja boasts some fantastic bars and restaurants as well to tempt the most discerning of palates.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Champiñón or Champi (Button Mushroom, garlic oil, small prawn)

• Zapatillas (Slice of toasted bread with ‘jamón’)

• Embuchado (lamb intestines)

• Caldo (a warm broth to ward off the chilliest of nights)

• Pinchos Morunos (skewered meat)

• Oreja de Cerdo (deep fried pig’s ears)

• Morritos (deep fried pig’s lips)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Logroño

Areas: Laurel (Calle Laurel, Calle San Agustín, Travasia del Laurel, Calle Albornoz) in the old town, Calle San Juan.

 

City: Haro

Areas: Herradura (old part of the city), with Calle Santo Tomás, Plaza Mayor de la Iglesia, Calle San Martín and Calle Bilibio.

 

 

 

Province: Aragón

 

Marriage between the royal families of Aragon and Castilla gave us Spain as we know it today. The tapas have stood the test of time too with succulent lamb dishes and traditional dishes – simple and delicious.

 

Typical Tapas:  

• Ternasco (suckling lamb)

• Pollo al Chilindrón (chicken stew prepared with onions tomatoes and red peppers)

• Longaniza (sausage)

• Fardeles (pork liver with spices)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Zaragoza

Areas: Casco Antiguo (old town), Plaza del Pilar, Plaza de España, Plaza Santa Cruz, Plaza Santa Marta, Plaza San Pedro Nolasco. El Tubo (between Calle Alfonso and Calle Don Jaime), Zona de la Magdalena (between Calle San Vicente de Paul and El Coso Bajo).

 

City: Huesca

Areas: Casco Antiguo (old town) and Zona de La Catedral; Plaza de Navarra, Zona del Parque (Calle Vicente Campo), Paseo de las Autonomías.

 

City: Teruel

Areas: Plaza del Torico, Paseo del Óvalo, Plaza de San Juan, Plaza de la Catedral.

 

 

 

Mediterranean Coast (Catalunya, Valencia, Murcia)

 

 

Provinces: Catalunya (Cataluña)

 

Influenced by its proximity to France position in the Mediterranean, Catalunya combines its unique natural ingredients with sense of creativity. The culinary results are wizardry.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Calçots (a seasonal leek-like vegetable served grilled)

• Coca (a small pizza that comes with lots of different toppings)

• Sausages such as Butifarra, Fuet and Llonganissa

• Pan con tomate (toasted bread with fresh tomato)

• Escalivada or Esqueixada (grilled vegetables)

• Buñuelos de Bacalao (deep-fried cod fish cakes)

• Fuet de Vic (thin dried salami)

• Gambas a la plancha (grilled prawns)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Barcelona

 

Areas: Barrio Gótico and Zona Mercado del Borne (called El Born). Plaça del Pi, Placeta Montcada, Calle Montcada, Plaça de les Olles). Las Ramblas (Rambla de Catalunya), Mercat de La Boquería). Gracia (Calle Mallorca, Calle Verdi, Calle Sant Domenec), El Raval.

 

City: Tarragona

 

Areas: Zona Alta (Calle Cavallers), Casc Antic (old town), Plaça del Rei), Barrio Pesquero (Calle Gravina), Plaça Ponent.

 

City: Lérida / Lleida

 

Areas: Calle Sant Martí, Calle Dr Fleming, Prat de la Riba, Calle Rovira Roure, Paseo de Ronda.

 

City: Gerona / Girona

 

Areas: Plaza de la Independencia (also known as Plaza de los Cines), Callezuelas de la Judería (Calle de la Força, Calle Ballesteries, Calle de les Ferreries Velles and surroundings), Plaza de Sant Feliu.

 

 

 

Province: Valencia

 

The heart of Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Tapas here are centred in using traditional fish, shellfish and dishes from the hinterland in keeping with the Mediterranean diet.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Ollas or Ollicas stews, centred in vegetables, meat and fish

• Traditional recipes using ingredients common with a ‘Mediterranean Diet’

• Suquet (type of stew)

• Mojama (dried fish covered in salt)

• Paella and arroz is as Valencia as it comes. Normally a dish in itself but is sometimes served as a tapa

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Valencia

Areas: Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, Calle Císcar, Calle San Vicente Mártir, Calle Juan Llorens, Calle San Francisco de Borja, Mercado de Colón, Playa de la Malvarosa (Paseo de Neptuno), Barrio del Carmen.

 

City: Alicante

Areas: Casco Antiguo or El Barrio (old town), Calle Navas, Calle Teatro, Calle Castaños, Plaza de Gabriel Miró, Calle San Francisco.

 

City: Castellón

Areas: Zona de las Tascas (between Calle Barracas and Isaac Peral, near Plaza de Santa Clara), Plaza de España.

 

 

 

Province: Murcia

 

It’s the fruit bowl of Europe producing vegetables and fruit all year round. Combine this with a strip of Mediterranean coastline, Murcia, offers some of the best raw material for tapas of every variety.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Gambas Rojas (red prawns)

• Mojama (dried tuna)

• Ensalada Murciana (tomato, canned tuna, onion, capers, boiled egg, olives)

• Empanada Murciana (small pie with tomato, onion, tuna)

• Pastel de Carne (meat pie)

• Revuelto (scrambled eggs with vegetables or seafood)

• Cabeza asada de Cordero (roasted sheep’s head)

• Zarangollo (scrambled eggs with courgette and onions)

• Pisto Murciano (stewed aubergine, onion, tomato, peppers)

• Marinera (long round bread stick topped with Russian potato salad and an anchovy)

• Queso fresco a la plancha (fried fresh cheese)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Murcia

Areas: Plaza de los Flores, Arco San Juan.

 

 

 

Andalusia

 

Olive trees that extend into the horizon, long lazy days and an enviable way of life. Andalusia offers a variety of tapas in a league of its own.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Olivas or Aceitunas (olives). There are many types of olives - green, black, manzanilla, machacadas (broken), gordales (big), rellenas (stuffed), aliñadas (flavoured) or deshuesadas (stoneless)

• Pescadito frito (deep fried fish)

• Pulpo frito (battered and fried octopus)

• Gambas a la plancha (grilled prawns)

• Calamares fritos (deep fried squid)

• Chopitos (baby squid)

• Atún en adobo (marinated tuna)

• Tortillitas de camarones (small deep-fried prawn pancakes)

• Jamón ibérico de bellota (acorn-fed cured Iberican ham)

• Gazpacho

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Almería

Areas: Zona de las Cuatro Calles, Calle Trajano, Paseo Marítimo, Barrio del Zapillo, Plaza de la Catedral, Zona de Nueva Andalucía, Zona de Altamira.

 

City: Granada

Areas: Campo del Príncipe, Zona de la Catedral, el Albaicín, Zona de la Plaza de Toros, Barrio de la Chana.

 

City: Jaén

Areas: San Felipe, Paseo de la Estación, Avenida Andalucía, Jardinillos, Bulevar, Fuentezuelas.

 

City: Córdoba

Areas: Plaza de San Miguel, Plaza del Potro, Plaza de la Corredera, Barrio de Ciudad Jardín, Judería, Vial Norte.

 

City: Sevilla

Areas: El Arenal, Triana, Calle Reyes Católicos, Calle Betis, Casco Histórico (old town), Alameda de Hércules.

 

City: Huelva

Areas: Plaza de las Monjas, Avenida de Italia, Calle Velázquez López, Avenida de Pablo Rada, Plaza de la Merced.

 

City: Cádiz

Areas: Paseo Marítimo, Calle Brasil, Plaza de la Catedral, Barrio de la Viña, Barrio del Pópulo, Plaza del Tío de la Tiza, Plaza de la Libertad.

 

City: Málaga

Areas: Plaza de la Merced, Calle de Calderón de la Barca, Calle Marín García, Calle Granada, Calle Comisario, Calle Strachan, Zona El Palo.

 

City: Jerez de la Frontera

Areas: Plaza de Plateros, Plaza Arenal, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza la Yerba, Plaza del Gallo Azul.

 

City: Marbella

Areas: casco Antiguo (old town), Calle Peral, Calle Virgen de los Dolores, Avenida Miguel Cano), Plaza de los Olivos, Plaza de los Naranjos, Paseo Marítimo.

 

 

 

Central Spain Castilla La Mancha, Extremadura, Castilla y León, Madrid. 

 

 

 

Province: Castilla La Mancha

 

Stretched out plains and blue skies into the yonder, Castilla La Mancha is famous for its Manchego cheese. Dig deeper and you’ll discovery a treasure trove of tapas – shhh, it’s a secret!

 

Typical Tapas:

• Jamon (cured ham)

• Manchego cheese

• Olives

• Lomo (pork marinated in olive oil, vinegar, herbs)

• Berenjena de Almagro (small pickled aubergine)

• Almendras Fritas (fried almonds)

• Queso fresco a la plancha (fried fresh cheese fried)

• Perdices Escabechadas (pickled partridge)

• Caracoles (snails)

• Migas (fried bread crumbs with garlic and chorizo)

 

City: Albacete

Areas: La Zona (streets near the Cathedral and Plaza del Altozano), Calle de la Feria, Avenida de España, Calle de Hellín Barrio del Pilar.

 

City: Ciudad Real

Areas: Plaza Mayor, Plaza Cervantes, Plaza del Pilar, Plaza de la Provincia.

 

City: Cuenca

Areas: Calle San Francisco, Plaza Mayor, Barrio del Castillo, República Argentina, Calle Colón, zona de la Estación.

 

City: Guadalajara

Areas: Casco histórico (old town), Zona Bardales Paseo de San Roque, Avenida de Castilla, Avenida Rufino Blanco.

 

City: Toledo

Areas: Plaza de Zocodover, Calle Barrio Rey, Calle Santa Fe, Calle Sierpe, Calle Comercio, Calle Sinagoga, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Calle de la Ciudad, Plaza de la Magdalena.

 

 

 

 

Province: Extremadura

 

This sparsely populated corner of Spain is now coming to the fore in global cuisine, led by an insatiable appetite for its decadent jamón iberico de bellota.

 

Typical Tapas:

• ‘Jamón iberico de bellota’ is the point of reference. It comes from the Iberican pig which freely roams around Extremadura happily feeding on acorns. In addition to jamón, other Iberican dishes such as Caldereta or Puchero (meat stew), Presa (whole fresh leg), Secreto Iberico (pork fillet), Carrillera (pork cheeks) maintain the decadence level on high alert.

• Migas (fried bread crumbs with garlic and chorizo)

• Local cheeses such as Torta del Casar, Torta de la Serena and Ibores

• Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Cáceres

Areas: Plaza Mayor, Calle de Felipe Uribarri, Calle Cánovas, Calle de Sánchez Garrido.

 

City: Badajoz

Areas: Casco Antiguo (old town), Plaza de San Juan, Plaza de Santa María, Plaza de San José, Plaza Alta.

 

City: Mérida

Areas: Plaza del Mercado, Calle San Francisco, Calle John Lennon, Calle San Juan de Dios, Calle Suárez Somonte, Calle Sagasta.

 

 

 

Province: Castilla & Leon

 

Occupying a large chunk of the middle and north of Spain, this once very royal of locations has a culinary offer in keeping with its roots.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Cecina (air dried beef)

• Chorizo (spicy sausage)

• Morcilla de Burgos (black pudding from Burgos)

• Torreznos (pork grinds)

• Picadillo de chorizo (diced chorizo)

• Chuletillas de cordero (lamb chops)

• Queso de Burgos (cheese)

• Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup)

• Chorizo y Jamón de Guijuelo (cured ham)

• Botillo (pig's stomach is stuffed with meat, boiled and served with potatoes)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Burgos

Areas: near La Catedral, Plaza Mayor, Calle San Lorenzo City.

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City: Segovia

Areas: Plaza Mayor and nearby streets, Calle Real, Calle Infanta Isabel, Calle Cronista Lecea, Calle Santa Engracia.

 

City: Soria

Areas: Plaza Mayor, Plaza de San Clemente (also called El Tubo), Plaza Ramón Benito Aceña (also called Plaza de Herradores), Plaza del Vergel, Calle Manuel Vicente Tutor (also called El Tubo Ancho).

 

City: León

Areas: El Barrio Húmedo and the Plaza Mayor (main square), El Barrio Romántico (also called Zona del Cid), La Chantría, Plaza de la Pícara Justina.

 

City: Zamora

Areas: Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Viriato, Calle Morillo, Plaza de Santa Teresa, Calle Alfonso de Castro, Plaza de la Catedral.

 

City: Salamanca

Areas: Plaza Mayor, Calle Van Dyck, Calle Salesas, Plaza de la Fuente, Plaza del Corrillo, Plaza Santa Eulalia.

 

City: Palencia

Areas: Barrio del Ave María, Barrio de San Antonio, Zona Vieja (old town).

 

City: Valladolid

Areas: Plaza Mayor, Calle Pasión, Plaza Martí y Monsó, Calle Correos.

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City: Ávila

Areas: Avenida de Portugal, Casco Antiguo (old town), Plaza del Mercado Chico.

 

​

 

Province: Madrid

All roads lead to Madrid, so expect the same with tapas too. The best dishes and ingredients from all over Spain are concentrated here and combined with a nightlife that’ll have you out until the sun comes up.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish omelette)

• Gambas con Gabardina (prawns cooked in beer)

• Boquerones (fresh anchovies in vinegar)

• Cocido (meat, potato and chickpea stew)

• Callos (tripe)

 

Where to go for tapas?

​

City: Madrid

Areas: La Latina, Plaza de Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor, Huertas, mercado de San Miguel and mercado de San Antón.

 

 

 

 

The Islands

 

 

Province: Balearic Islands

 

Not content with lazy days soaking in the sun, postcard sunsets and the jet-set scene, the Balearic’s boast tapas from shoestring to chic.  

 

Typical Tapas:

• Sobrasada (red pepper and pork pate)

• Coca (pizza topped with fresh vegetables)

• Empanada (small pies)

• Pa amb Oli (bread with olive oil)

• Calamares (squid)

• Burride de Raya (Skate in fish stock)

• Mero a la Mallorquina (Grouper covered with vegetables and then baked)

• Caldereta de Langosta (lobster stew)

• Porc Negre (pork)

• Queso de Mahon (cow’s milk cheese)

 

Where to go for tapas?

​

City: Palma de Mallorca

Areas: Paseo Marítimo, Plaza de la Reina, Casco Antiguo (old town).

​

City: Ciudadela (Menorca)

Areas: El Puerto, Plaza del Borne, Plaza de Ses Voltes.

 

City: Ibiza

Areas: Puerto, Dalt Vila, Mercado Viejo.

 

 

 

Province: Canary Islands

 

Stuck somewhere between here and there, the Canary Islands are influenced by both land and sea, combined with interesting ingredients sailors brought back from the New World.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Gofio (roasted maize or wheat)

• Mojo (piquant sauces, with varieties such as Mojo Picón, Mojo Verde or Mojo Palmero)

• Papas Arrugás (small potatoes cooked in their skins in very salty water and served with Mojo)

• Tollos (dogfish)

• Lapas (limpets)

• Sancocho (salted fish served with papas and mojo)

• Burgado (sea snails)

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Santa Cruz de Tenerife / La Laguna

Areas: La Noria, Cásco Histórico de La Laguna (old town).

 

City: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Areas: Triana, La Vegueta, Muelle Deportivo.

 

City: Arrecife (Lanzarote)

Areas: Parque Islas Canarias, Calle Real, Charco de San Gines.

 

 

 

Northern Africa

 

 

Province: Ceuta

 

The spot where Spain touches the top tip of North Africa with a cuisine focussed heavily on the sea.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Pescaítos fritos (fried fish)

• Conchas finas (crab)

• Coquinas (clams)

• Cañaíllas (razor fish)

• Boquerones en adobo (marinated anchovies)

• Sama (sama fish)

• Acedías (plaice).

 

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Ceuta

Areas: Paseo de la Marina Española, Puerto Deportivo, Plaza de los Reyes, Murallas Reales.

 

 

 

Province: Melilla

 

At the crossroads of two great culinary worlds, Melilla offers a combination of Spanish tapas with a strong Moroccan influence.

 

Typical Tapas:

• Pescaíto (fried fish)

• Coquinas (clams)

• Pinchos Morunos (kebabs)

• Rape a la Rusadir (Stewed Monkfish)

• Couscous

• Chopitos

 

Where to go for tapas?

 

City: Melilla

Areas: mainly in Melilla la Vieja also called Ciudadela and El Pueblo (old town),Paseo Marítimo and Barrio del Real.

 

 

 

 

 

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