The 20 most famous dishes of Spain
Spanish cooking is sunny and Mediterranean, rich in olive oil, rice, seafood and paprika, its dishes still carrying traces of Al-Andalus in saffron, almonds and citrus.
1Paella Valenciana
Valencia's famous saffron rice cooked in a wide pan with chicken, rabbit and beans, forming a crisp crust…
2Tortilla Española
A thick omelette of eggs and potatoes slow-cooked in olive oil with onion, flipped like a cake — Spain's most…
3Gazpacho Andaluz
A cold Andalusian soup of tomato, cucumber, pepper, garlic and olive oil — refreshing in summer heat.
4Salmorejo Cordobés
A thick, cold Cordoban purée of tomato, bread, garlic and olive oil, topped with boiled egg.
5Patatas Bravas
Crisp fried potato cubes with spicy paprika sauce and garlic aioli — a tapas favourite.
6Churros con Chocolate
Crisp, ridged fried dough sticks dusted with sugar and dipped in thick hot chocolate — Madrid's famous…
7Pulpo a la Gallega
Boiled octopus sliced over potatoes and sprinkled with paprika, coarse salt and olive oil — the dish of…
8Gambas al Ajillo
Prawns sizzled in bubbling olive oil with garlic and chili, served in the clay dish with bread for dipping.
9Croquetas
Ultra-creamy béchamel croquettes with chicken or ham, crumbed and fried, melting in the mouth.
10Cocido Madrileño
Madrid's winter stew of chickpeas, meats and vegetables, served in three courses: noodle soup, then chickpeas…
11Pisto Manchego
A La Mancha vegetable stew of tomato, peppers, courgette and onion, served with a fried egg.
12Albóndigas en Salsa
Tender Spanish meatballs in tomato or saffron-almond sauce — a recipe with Andalusian roots.
13Crema Catalana
Catalonia's custard flavoured with lemon zest and cinnamon under a crackly burnt-sugar top — crème brûlée's…
14Pan con Tomate
Toasted bread rubbed with garlic and ripe tomato, drizzled with olive oil and salt — Catalonia's daily…
15Empanada Gallega
A large Galician pie filled with tuna or chicken with onions and peppers cooked with paprika.
16Calamares a la Romana
Squid rings in a light batter fried until crisp, served with lemon — in Madrid they're eaten in a bread roll.
17Arroz Negro
Catalan and Valencian rice cooked with squid ink until glossy black, served with aioli.
18Fideuà
Paella's cousin made with short noodles instead of rice, with seafood and fish stock.
19Leche Frita
Thick milk custard with cinnamon and lemon, chilled, cut into squares, fried and dusted with sugar and…
20Fabada Asturiana
A stew of large white beans from Asturias with smoked sausage and paprika — warming and filling.