Spanish tapas come in all shapes and forms. They can be small plates of food or they can be big plates of food. They can be free or you can pay for them. And every Spanish city has its own way of doing it. Traditionally in Madrid when you order a beer or a glass of wine in a bar, you’ll get some kind of mini tapas to go with it, whether it’s olives, a few slices of chorizo or everyone’s favorite Manchego cheese, but there’s also the possibility to order bigger plates off the menu that are also confusingly referred to as tapas. More than a style of dish, tapas are a way of going out, moving from one place to the next and having a bite at each stop. To help you fully immerse yourself in this lifestyle, here’s our guide to eating tapas like a local in Madrid.
Spanish tostas in Madrid — © baklava / Pixabay.
Tapas are commonly small plates or servings but, in some local restaurants and bars, you’ll also see raciones on the menu, which are larger portions of tapas, designed to share and served on a larger dinner plate. If you’re with a group of friends, you’re better off ordering by the racion. They will usually come with a free basket of bread. Some places also serve media raciones (half sized portions), which allows you to try more things.
Then there are tostas that also fall under the tapas category and consist of slices of fresh, crusty bread topped with various savory toppings.
Eating tapas in a tapas bar — © Elena Merlika / iStock.
The traditional way to eat your tapas is by standing at the barra (counter) rubbing shoulders with the locals. From this vantage point, you can better observe what’s coming out of the kitchen and see what kind of tapas is available in the glass cabinets along the bar. Don’t be intimidated by crowds. Wait for a gap in the crowd and then dive in, order a drink and suss out the vibe. If in doubt, point at the dishes you want to try. Equally, if you’re with a bigger group of people, you can sit down at a table and order some raciones off the menu and still have a good time.
Spanish tortilla in Madrid — © unserekleinemaus / Pixabay.
Order the lighter dishes first and slowly build up the flavors and quantities to give you space to eat and try more dishes. Start with olives and marinated boquerones (anchovies) to whet your palette and work your way up to the classic Spanish tortilla and other carb- or meat heavy dishes.
Selection of Spanish tostas in tapas bar — © Ed-Ni-Photo / iStock.
The key to eating and enjoying tapas is to take your time. It’s about eating, drinking and being merry. Savor each dish and don’t order everything on the menu all at once. Don’t worry about keeping track of what you’ve ordered either. The wait staff is accustomed to this way of eating and will keep track for you, totting it up at the end in one bill.
Jamón Ibérico in traditional tapas bar in Madrid — © Tomás Fano / Flickr.
A complete tapas experience involves hopping from bar to bar, only eating a couple of plates in each one. Don’t plan out your route too seriously. Be spontaneous and see where the night takes you. Just drop in at any lively looking place and see what’s on offer. Every place has a specialty be it the mushrooms or Jamón Serrano.
Still unsure of what to order? Here are some classic tapas to try:
Pimientos de padron peppers — © Chete Del / Pixabay.
If you need to be pointed in the right direction, here are some of our favorite tapas restaurants in Madrid.
Got any other tips for eating tapas like a local in Madrid? Share your thoughts with our readers in the comments section below.
