Tapas confuses a lot of first-timers because it is not a course — it is a way of eating. You order a few small plates, share everything, and keep going until you are happy. Here is how to do it without over-ordering or looking lost.
Order in rounds, not all at once
Start with three or four plates for two people, eat, then order again based on what you loved. Kitchens expect this; it keeps the food coming hot and lets you follow your appetite.
Build a balanced first round
- Something cured — jamón, chorizo or cheese.
- Something fried — croquetas or calamares.
- Something green and blistered — pimientos de Padrón.
- Something with sauce to mop up with bread — patatas bravas or albóndigas.
Pace and share
Everything lands in the middle; nothing is "yours". Order bread, drink vermut or a small beer, and do not rush. A tapas meal that takes two hours is a tapas meal done right.
Places built for ordering in rounds
- Euskadi in Kraków serves Basque pintxos and tapas and suggests building a meal from three or four dishes.
- Vaso in Bangkok changes its menu of tapas built to share, from patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo to ibérico croquetas.
- Iberia Tapas in Zürich has more than 25 tapas on offer at any time of day.
One rule that never fails
When in doubt, ask the staff what is good today. Spanish service takes pride in steering you. Find a kitchen worth asking in our restaurant directory.
