1. Tapas
Tapas are one of those things you can have to keep you going before lunch, in-between your midday meal and dinner, or while drinking late nights at the bar. Tapas can be all sorts of foods, like olives, salmorejo, or even something hot like patatas bravas or calamares fritos. What makes them so good? They are served in small portions, so you get to eat lots of different dishes. They are usually shared with whomever you are out with. Tapas originate in Sevilla, and are so much a part of the culture that you don't go "out to eat" (comer), you go "de tapeo" and use the verb "tapear" instead of "comer".
If you want to be like a Sevillian, you should definitely order tapas with a cerveza - beer, vino - wine, or my favorite, tinto de verano - summer red wine (see below). Some popular and typical tapas are papas aliñás – dressed potatoes, solomillo al whisky – pork sirloin, and montaditos – little sandwiches.
2. Gazpacho and Salmorejo
Ángela's favorite food in the world is gazpacho. It can be thought of as a cold soup, and on a hot summer day in Sevilla, there is nothing more refreshing than a cold glass or bowl of fresh gazpacho! It's made mostly of tomato, with red and green bell pepper, garlic and onion, lots of Spanish olive oil, fresh bread, and a touch of vinegar. Blend it all together, add a touch of salt, let it chill, and you have gazpacho. Sometimes it is served with pieces of jamón serrano or even fresh melon. Another food to try is gazpacho's cousin salmorejo. Salmorejo is similar, but it is made with more bread, so it has a thicker consistency.
3. Tortilla de patatas
One of the most common foods you'll find in Spain is tortilla de patatas – Spanish omelette. It's made of eggs and potatoes that have been simmered with onion in olive oil. You can find it at bars and cafés, any place you can find tapas, and there's almost always one at home that's been homemade. It's sliced like a pie and served alone with mayo, in-between a piece of bread, or sometimes with a little bit of salmorejo on top. It's delicious, and perfect for a light dinner.
4. Jamón serrano
The most delicious and prestigious meat in the entire world! Jamón serrano, or jamón ibérico, is a dry-cured Spanish ham that often takes around two years before it is fully cured. One unique thing you'll notice about jamón is that it is cut and served right off of the leg. The outside of the pata de jamón – the leg, along with excess fat, is trimmed off until you hit the meat of the leg. It is then cut very thin with a sharp knife and served in small thin pieces. It is salty, and very rich in flavor. Jamón can be compared to the Italian proscuito, but even many Italians agree that jamón serrano has a superior flavor. You will see legs of jamón hanging from every bar in Sevilla, and in grocery stores there is always a section dedicated solely to jamón serrano. It can be ordered as a tapa, and is commonly found on bocadillos or a tostada.
5. Dry Cured Meats
Some of the best you can find in the world. My favorites are chorizo – not like Mexican fresh chorizo, salchichon, and the caña de lomo is extraordinary.
6. Tostada
It's delicious, and it's the most common thing eaten for breakfast in Spain. Simply put, it's just toast, but what makes it special are the Spanish tomatoes, Spanish olive oil, and jamón serrano that you usually put on top of it. You can find this for breakfast at any bar – and yes, they eat breakfast in bars. Order it with jamón and a coffee and you'll be set for the day.
7. Aceitunas
Spain's olive oil is famous for a reason: the quality of their olives. Try the different types of olives as a tapa, such as manzanilla and gordal, in the different available styles – pitted, with garlic, or de la abuela - grandma's olives.
8. Tomates aliñados
Tomatoes in Spain are absolutely delicious, sweet, and full of flavor, and you will find tomatoes in many Spanish dishes. They often eat them sliced up and seasoned lightly with olive oil, fresh lemon juice or white wine vinegar, salt, chopped garlic, and sometimes oregano. Also, don't mistake any green tomatoes you see for not being ripe. Some of the most delicious tomatoes are lightly colored and full of green.
9. Queso
Probably the most well known cheese from Spain is queso manchego. It's a delicious flavorful firm cheese that goes well with dry cured meats and wine. You can find lots of good cheeses at all of the restaurants and bars. View this link to see the most famous Spanish cheeses and where they come from.
10. Empanada de atún
An Empanada in Spain is something like a large flat pie with a filling, and it is not a dessert, rather something you eat for lunch or dinner. One of the most common types of empanada you will find is the empanada de atún – tuna empanada. Its one of my favorite things to eat in Spain, with its flaky crust and delicious filling containing bell peppers, tomato, olive oil, onion, and garlic.
11. Paella
Probably the most well known dish from Spain is paella, or paella de marisco – seafood paella. If you haven't tried it before this is one dish you most definitely need to have when in Spain. It's made by simmering an assortment of seafood and shellfish and some vegetables with rice. What you get in the end is a tasty creamy rice dish full of seafood flavor.
12. Pescaíto frito
All seafood is amazing in Spain, especially the fried fish. It's very commonly eaten, and you won't miss it on any restaurant menu. There are many different types of fried fish to try, and they are all very good.
13. Chocolate con churros
They are not like the Mexican ones! You can get yourself some at any local churrería. Ask for them with a side of their chocolate sauce and eat them for breakfast.
14. Tinto de verano
Spain's "Summer Red Wine" is a refreshing mix of red wine and soda, served on the rocks. The soda choices are blanca – plain, limón – lemon, and naranja – orange. To quench your thirst like any other Sevillian does, order a tinto con limón anywhere you go to eat.
15. Cerveza Cruzcampo
Cruzcampo is the most loved beer in Sevilla. Brewed in this city since 1904, it ranks number 1 in sales in Spain. Its extremely refreshing taste will surely help you get through the summer heat just fine. You can even order a Cruzcampo Glacial at some bars for an extra cold and refreshing beer.
Other foods to try in Spain:
Montaditos – Little Sandwiches at 100 Montaditos, Spain's most popular fast food chain.