What are tapas in Spain?


What are tapas in Spain? Tapas are small portions of food eaten between or before meals with a drink, which is more often than not, alcoholic. Traditionally, they were free with a drink. Wondering where the name comes from? The word 'tapas' comes from the verb 'tapar' which means to cover.


Can you go to tapas alone?

This might sound surprising, as many people know the very central idea of tapas is that they are to be shared. This is often the case of course, but not a must-do at all. To go for tapas alone, pick places that offer small portions of things like croquetes, bombes or pintxos.


Can tapas be a full meal?

Traditionally, in Spain, dinner is served late. Tapas served as snacks to keep hunger at bay before the main meal. Their popularity has grown, and tapas are now often eaten as the main meal. They can be thought of as samplers, or you can make a complete meal by combining two or more tapas to enjoy a variety of flavors.


How much do tapas cost in Spain?

Price: While there are some more expensive restaurants, generally speaking, expect to pay between 3.50 – 6 euros for a tapa. In many of these places, some dishes are only available as a half or full plate. So, you will see some dishes priced between 7 – 15 euros.


How many tapas per person?

Portion sizes will vary by restaurant, but typically, ordering 2 to 3 tapas per person gets the job done. So a party of 4 would order 8 to 12 tapas between them. Don't be afraid to ask your server if you haven't ordered enough food, and remember, your friends are there to help if you've ordered too much.