Spain: Tapas

Tapas are one of my favorite aspects of going out in Spain. In most parts of Spain, especially the south, a small ‘tapa’ (literally ‘lid’) is customarily provided with a beer or wine. That's right; free of charge, included with drinks, gratis...however you want to say it, it's usually free. The kind of tapa you’re presented with can vary from the lowest end of potato chips, peanuts and olives, to the higher end of baked potato, papas bravas, meatballs, and small pieces of bread with meat or cheese. With enough rounds of drinks, tapas can easily fill you up.

One of my favorite tapas (and Spanish foods), croquettas.

Classic tapa, Patatas Bravas (Fried potato with spicy sauce)

Random bread with sausage tapa.

I think that most Americans think that Spanish eat tapas for their meals, which I haven’t found to be true. Tapas are rarely ordered separately from drinks, rather they are inclusive of the drinks. However, there are some places, especially in trendy areas, that have a 'tapa menu'. It's much more common to order a 'ración' if you have a substantial appetite. University students will frequently combine their drinking and evening meal but it is not common place among other groups. I love the variation in tapas and I still receive tapas that I can’t believe are complimentary. The larger the group you have, and the more drinks you order, the more plentiful your tapas will be! Apparently in the south, the tapa distribution is the most liberal in Spain, though I still haven’t ventured to experience this haven.

Classic tapa: bread and jamon!

Another classic, the Spanish tortilla. I'm very happy when I get a tapa like this.