It’s a quintessential Spanish experience, but so many travelers understandably find the tapas experience more than a little confusing. Here’s a quick-flip guide to help you through your next ir de tapas adventure.
1. Plan to make a night of it.
A classic tapas crawl starts late and ends even later, so don’t go out expecting to be in bed by 10 p.m. Though you can certainly find an array of incredible bars serving tapas and raciones early in the evening, your experience will be much more authentic — and much more fun — if you take your time, sample several places and go with the late-night Spanish flow.
2. Watch the locals before you order.
Every tapas joint is different. Some serve directly from the bar, some let you pick whatever you want from plates piled on communal tables, and others function like traditional restaurants. Plus, depending on the spot you choose, you might pay slightly more to sit at a table or on the patio. Before you dive in, take a few minutes to observe the locals. Are they browsing a menu? Are they picking up small bites and paying according to how many toothpicks they’ve accumulated? Are they clustered around the bar? Following the local lead is usually the best way to get the lay of the land, and you’ll even be able to tell whether you can use your platinum credit card or need to rely on cash.
3. Know the menu basics.
Unless you’ve visited the country numerous times and speak impeccable Spanish, you’ll likely run into a few unfamiliar dishes. Every restaurant has its specialties, so it’s tough to predict what you’ll find where.
There are, however, a few constants. Raciones are large portions generally intended for several people, and pinchos are the bite-sized dishes most often associated with tapas. Bocadillos are small sandwiches, boquerones are tangy anchovies served on bread, and patatas bravas are fried potatoes with a sometimes creamy, sometimes spicy tomato sauce. If you’re ordering off a menu, many restaurants will offer you some pan con tomate with your meal; this tomato-dusted bread dish is definitely worth sampling, but skip it if you plan to fill up on pimientos and provoleta: peppers and grilled cheese respectively.
4. When in doubt, point it out.
Of course, the above list only scratches the surface of the types of tapas you’ll encounter. If you find yourself baffled by the array of vieiras, tortillas and gambas a la plancha, don’t be afraid to simply point at what you want. In large cities like Madrid and Barcelona, servers are accustomed to dealing with tourists; simply add a few niceties like por favor and gracias, and you’ll be fine.
We get it: It’s easy to fall into the tourist traps when you’re a first-time visitor. Though the most authentic tapas bars tend to be a touch intimidating, don’t let fear keep you from an unforgettable experience. You’ll likely find a few decent restaurants in the touristy areas, but it’s usually not worth the gamble. Stick to the locally loved spots, and you’ll definitely have something to write home about.
photo credit: Silverman68
