Spanish food goes beyond paella and tapas. It’s one of the top culinary countries in the world, and I’ve had some of the best times visiting different foodie destinations around the country.
Whether you’re going to Spain this holiday season or it’s on your list, here are some of the best destinations for food lovers.
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is an underrated foodie destination in Spain with a lot of delicious and budget-friendly options to choose from. From classics like wine and tapas to the pulpo a Feira, this town is an ideal place to experience local Spanish cuisine and culture. The best part? It isn’t overcrowded like other places, so you can enjoy some nice quiet time.
Valencia
Did you know the famous Spanish specialty, Paella, originated in Valencia? It’s a spicy rice dish with fried chicken, seafood, or vegetables. You can also find Valencian paella, which is a more traditional version of this dish. Besides this, Valencia also has some great Arròs Negre, made from squid or cuttlefish. It’s similar to paella but has black rice due to the squid ink.
Madrid
Madrid is a popular travel destination in Spain with lots of great food options. The iconic bocadillo de calamares, also known as the Madrid sandwich, made with fried squid, is everyone’s favorite. Another great Madrid specialty is cocido madrileño, a traditional pork stew including chickpeas, chorizo sausage, and vegetables. It’s Spain’s popular winter dish.
Madrid has the best chocolate churros that you can have any time of the day.
Seville
Seville is known for its unique cold soups called Gazpacho. It has the perfect blend of healthy and delicious ingredients and comes in many kinds, such as:
- Pipirrana: tomatoes, onion, green peppers, and cucumber
- Porra antequerana: eggs and tomatoes
- Ajoblanco: almond and garlic
- Salmorejo: only tomatoes with a thicker consistency
Barcelona
If you don’t have much time to visit different cities in Spain, Barcelona is a perfect destination to enjoy various specialties in one place. One must-have dish is Escalivada, a popular salad from the Catalonia region with all the flavors of the local vegetables. It combines onions, peppers, potatoes, and eggplants, roasted in an oven or charcoal and dressed in vinegar and olive oil.
Explore more Foodie Destinations with Irina Bukatik
Hi there, fellow food lovers! I’m Irina Bukatik, a traveler and a blogger. I love visiting different places around the world and knowing more about their cuisine and cultures.
Follow my local food blog website at Irina Bukatik to virtually join me on this exquisite journey where we discover our love for food and secret getaways in the world. Read more about my incredible travel experiences, or reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you!