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What to eat in Spain

The 10 best dishes in Spain

A nation of small plates, late dinners and the best seafood on earth.

1

Paella valenciana

Best: Valencia

Rabbit, chicken, beans and saffron rice cooked thin in a wide pan, with a crisp socarrat.

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2

Jamón ibérico

Best: Andalusia and Extremadura

Acorn-fed black-hoofed ham, cured for years and sliced by hand.

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3

Tortilla española

Best: Madrid

Potatoes and onion slowly fried in olive oil, set with egg and served thick.

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4

Gambas al ajillo

Best: Madrid

Prawns sizzled in a clay dish of olive oil, garlic and chili.

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5

Pulpo a la gallega

Best: Galicia

Octopus boiled in copper, snipped onto wood, dusted with paprika and sea salt.

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6

Gazpacho

Best: Andalusia

Cold blended tomato, cucumber, pepper, bread and olive oil, for the hottest days.

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7

Patatas bravas

Best: Madrid

Fried potato chunks with spicy sauce and often allioli.

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8

Croquetas

Eaten all over Spain

Béchamel croquettes of ham, cod or mushroom, crisp and creamy inside.

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9

Pintxos

Best: San Sebastián

Bite-size bar food on bread, eaten standing with a glass of txakoli.

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10

Churros con chocolate

Best: Madrid

Fried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate, for breakfast or 4am.

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Photos: each dish's lead photo on its Wikipedia article (license and author on Wikimedia Commons); "a photo like it" is a food photo of the same kind, not that dish. Cook it opens a recipe in Chef Amazing, or Chef writes one for you. Picked by Chef Amazing, November 2026.