nationwide (Andalusian origin) · Spain
Tapas
Tapas are small Spanish plates served with drinks, meant for sharing and bar-hopping. They range from simple olives and jamón to elaborate miniature dishes. The culture around them — standing at the bar, ordering one plate per stop — is as important as the food itself.
Approximate, per 1 assorted small plate (~80g). Values vary by recipe and portion.
Where it comes from
Tapas are small savoury dishes served with a drink, and the word ('lid') is tied to the old custom of covering a glass of wine or sherry with a slice of bread or ham to keep out flies. What began as a free bite with a drink in Andalusian taverns grew into a whole style of eating, moving bar to bar and sharing many small plates. Tapear, going out for tapas, is central to Spanish social life.
Where to eat Tapas
29 restaurants worldwide serve it.
4.6(273)
4.3(515)
4.6(439)
- MICHELIN listed4.6(461)
4.8(81)
Best cities for Tapas
Cook it yourself
- Tapas
Tapas are less a single recipe than a way of eating, but a home spread is easy to pull off with a handful of classic small plates. Here is a simple trio that covers the range from cured to cooked without needing much time at the stove.
FAQ
What are tapas?
Small portions of Spanish dishes served alongside drinks. A tapas crawl (ir de tapas) means moving bar to bar, trying the specialty at each.
Are tapas free in Spain?
In some regions — notably Granada and León — a free tapa comes with every drink. In most cities you order and pay per plate.