Eating out in Spain is often cheap and meals are substantial rather than gourmet. One of the best ways to sample Spanish food is to try
tapas (snacks), which are served at any time of day in local bars. These range from cheese and olives to squid or meat delicacies and are priced accordingly, often complimentary in Andalucia. In the Basque Country they are known as
pinxos.Things to know: Restaurants and cafes have table service. Cocktail lounges have table and/or counter service. There are no licensing hours.
National specialties:• Seafood: cod
vizcaina or cod
pil-pil (Basque provinces);
angulas, tasty baby eels (Aguinaga); shellfish and
hake à la Gallega (Galicia); lobster Catalan (Catalonia); fresh anchovies (Andalucía).
•
Paella based on meat or seafood (Eastern and southern provinces).
•
Butifarra sausage stewed with beans (Catalonia).
• Roast meats: lamb, beef, veal and suckling pig (Castile).
•
Gazpacho, a delicious cold vegetable soup (Andalucía).
National drinks:
•
Sherry: there are four main types:
fino (very pale and very dry),
amontillado (dry, richer in body and darker in color),
oloroso (medium, full-bodied, fragrant and golden) and
dulce (sweet).
• Wine:
Rioja,
Ribera del Duero and
Navarra are among the choice producers of red wine, while the biggest denomination is that of
Valdepeñas. Galicia is tops for white wine, while Catalonia produces
Perelada and
Cava (sparkling wine).
• Spanish brandy:
Carlos I,
Osborne and
Fundador.
• Bottled water: many brands including
Lanjarón and
Font Vella.
Legal drinking age: 18.
Tipping: Some restaurants include service in the bill. Tipping is discretionary - up to 10% in city and resort restaurants; none, or small change in bars, smaller restaurants and family-run establishments.
NightlifeSpaniards often start the evening with
el paseo, a leisurely stroll through the main streets. A
cafe terrace is an excellent vantage point to observe this tradition, or enjoy
street theater in the larger cities. The atmosphere is especially vibrant at
fiesta time, or when the local football team has won, when celebrations are marked by a cacophony of car horns, firecrackers and a sea of flags and team regalia.
Tapas bars offer delicious snacks in a relaxed, enjoyable setting and it is fun to try out several bars in one night. The
nightclubs of Ibiza, Barcelona and Madrid have attracted the attention of the international media, but the variety on offer caters for most tastes. Things work up to
la marcha (good fun) relatively late and it is possible to literally dance until dawn.
Flamenco (Andalucia, especially Seville) or other regional dancing displays provide an alternative for those who prefer to watch dancing.
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