The “Don’t’s” of Dining in Spain

The restaurant scene was one of the greatest cultural shocks I experienced coming to Spain from the United States.

From customer service to mealtime hours, Spain is certainly a different world regarding eating out.

Here are some tips you should know before visiting a bar or restaurant in Spain.

1. Don’t come starving

Trust me on this one.

Your food will almost certainly take longer than expected to come out — even for a seemingly simple dish.

And you will become hangry.

This flamenquín (deep-fried ham covered in pork loin) took almost an hour to get.

2. Don’t expect quality customer service

You’re not in Kansas anymore. This is Spain, which means slow.

So be prepared to fight for your server’s attention… every step of the way.

From ordering, to asking for more water, to getting the check. It’s all a process.

And don’t expect servers to have a smile plastered to their face like they do in the United States. They might even come off as rude, but don’t worry — it’s part of the Spanish experience.

3. Don’t expect anything fancy

Spanish food is simple.

In its most traditional form, Spanish food is straight from Grandma’s kitchen.

The dishes aren’t particularly complex or difficult to make, they make use of simple ingredients and spices, and they’re comforting yet on the unhealthy side.

At first glance, Spanish food is really nothing special.

But it grows on you. Although I would never choose Spanish food over any kind of Asian food, it really is a delicious cuisine.

I was expecting something completely different based on the menu description lol. But this is literally just scrambled eggs with mushrooms and small shrimps. Very simple, nothing fancy, but good!

4. Don’t ask for water

If you want water, ask for “un vaso de agua” (a glass of water from the tap).

Save your euros for the tinto de verano, which is often the same price, and thank me later.

A glass of tap water is free, whereas simply asking for “water” is a paid bottle of water.

5. Don’t not know Spanish restaurant lunch hours

Spaniards go out for their biggest meal of the day between 1-4pm. Peak hour being 2pm.

Don’t expect to be served outside of those hours and don’t expect to be seated immediately in between those hours.

6. Don’t not know Spanish restaurant dinner hours

Everything is later here in Spain, and that includes dinner.

After lunch hours, many restaurants close and don’t open again until 8pm.

Spaniards will have their dinner between 8pm-10pm, and even as late as 11pm.

That may sound extremely late, but it makes sense if you have a filling lunch during the Spanish lunch hours and possibly a merienda or snack around 5-6pm.

Churros con chocolate is a popular merienda (snack)

7. Don’t be in a hurry

Spanish food is ultimately a social experience.

It’s best enjoyed with good company on a nice patio.

Sure, you can dine solo (as I have many times), but in Spain you really should find a friend to tag along — or be really comfortable dining amongst loud groups of Spaniards amongst you.

That concludes my list of “don’t’s” when dining in Spain.

Did any of these surprise you? Is there anything you would add?

Let me know in the comments!

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