6 Vegetarian Tapas Recipes to Try (2024)

FAQs

Are there vegetarian tapas in Spain? ›

While Spanish tapas are typically quite meaty, there are some great vegan & vegetarian tapas too like patatas bravas, delicious olives, or bread with tomato.

Tortilla de Patatas might be the most common tapa out there. It's also known as a Spanish Omelette however it really has no relation to the classic French dish. Tortilla is a perfect mix of softened potato slices mixed with egg that are fried into a cake like shape.

A tapa (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtapa]) is an appetizer or snack in Spanish cuisine. Tapas can be combined to make a full meal, and can be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid, or patatas bravas).

Barcelona

The Mediterranean hotspot Barcelona takes first place in this veggie ranking. The city of Gaudi is a popular holiday destination for anyone who wants to enjoy sun, vibrant nightlife, culture and amazing food. Thankfully, vegans and vegetarians won't feel like they're missing out on the local cuisine.

You can categorize tapas into three main categories: cosas de picar, pintxos, and cazuelas. We explain the three types of tapas below. Cosas de Picar - The most popular type of tapas, cosas de picar, are finger foods.

Numerous cities in Spain are famous for tapas including Seville, Granada, and San Sebastian. Some bars or restaurants pride themselves on their unique, comprehensive tapas menu while others stay loyal to the tradition of giving a simple, free tapa with every drink.

There are no rules for what tapas can be; they are sometimes meant to be shared and eaten with toothpicks, but they can also be small individual dishes with their own cutlery, and other times its perfectly acceptable to eat tapas with your hands. They will also take different forms depending on where you are in Spain.

Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid). In select restaurants and bars in Spain, tapas have evolved into an entire and sophisticated cuisine.

How many tapas dishes should you get? ›

Portion sizes will vary by restaurant, but typically, ordering 2 to 3 tapas per person gets the job done. So a party of 4 would order 8 to 12 tapas between them. Don't be afraid to ask your server if you haven't ordered enough food, and remember, your friends are there to help if you've ordered too much.

Tapas aren't usually called tapas in the north of Spain. Traditionally in the Basque Country, Cantabria, La Rioja, Navarre and Asturias, the appetizers are known as pinchos. That's, because they have a toothpick (pincho) stuck through them to hold whatever topping it is to the piece of bread.

Paella is perhaps the most famous Spanish dish of all, and certainly one of the most abused. Authentic paella originates from the region around Valencia, and comes in two varieties: Paella Valenciana, with rabbit and chicken; and seafood paella.

In general, two to four tapas dishes per person is a standard order for a meal. This may be slightly fewer if you're stopping off for a snack. Tapas do come in different sizes so it's a good idea to check with your server and potentially ask for recommendations. This way, you can ensure the right sized portion!

This traditional Spanish vegetarian dish, simply named “Spinach with Chickpeas”, can be found in almost any traditional Spanish restaurant. It consists of cooked chickpeas and spinach, and may be prepared a variety of ways. Sometimes Espinacas con Garbanzos may be served as a thin soup, hearty stew, or on a plate!

The best thing about Spanish food is that it's all about flavor, so even if you're not having meat, it's still going to be amazing and creative! Expect some interesting versions of potatoes and vegetables cooked in several different ways – make sure you try out the traditional fried eggplant!

A recent study concludes that in Spain 4% of the population is vegetarian -they do not eat meat or fish- and 0.8% is vegan -they do not eat dairy products or eggs. Around 7% are flexitarians, i.e. they tend to eat less and less animal protein. In countries in northern and central Europe, the proportion is higher.

But if you're vegetarian, this can turn into a mini adventure to explore local cuisine. Spanish cuisine is based on the Mediterranean diet and offers a wide range of dishes without animal-based ingredients. Here you will find a quick tour of vegetarian dishes in Spain.