Spanish Eating Customs: Meals

Spain people love their food. In fact, the typical Spaniard probably eats more food in a day than most people in other countries since they spread their meals throughout the day. Moreover, they also take their time eating and enjoying the conversation shared with friends and family.

Habits of eating

Firstly, many people might know that Spanish people have dinner very late compared to others, however, some people might not know that they have an afternoon snack (La merienda) such as a hot drink, pastry or a sandwich which is eaten around 6.00 p.m. However, it is more likely to be for kids or children that come back from school.

Secondly, Spanish people have a habit of having a conversation after a meal (Sobremesa). They are not likely to just eat and leave. Instead, they often stay at the table conversing, savoring each other's company and perhaps sharing a drink. Sometimes, it can last for hours.

Thirdly, a piece of bread tends to be the third cutlery utensil after the knife and fork for Spanish people. They eat bread with anything and everything, including heavy carb dishes like pasta and rice, even with dessert on some occasions. For example, they eat bread and chocolate, not chocolate spread, but a piece of chocolate.

Let's follow 'Blanca', our fictional Barcelonian girl spending an average day of Spanish meals from breakfast to (very late) dinner. This is useful introduction definitely will prepare you for a trip to Spain!

Breakfast (Desayuno)

7.00 - 8.00

This is a typically light meal for Blanca. Someday she may skip the breakfast to make some time before her work. Today she feels a little bit hungry so she whips something quick that is suitable for her daily routine. First, she made herself a cup of 'Cola Cao'. Normally she would go for a strong coffee with hot, frothy milk or what she would call as 'Café con leche'. But today she want to reminisce her childhood so she goes for this warm cup of chocolate beverage. Then she grasped churros that she ordered late at night after her party. She could not eat all of them so she left it in the refrigerator. Lastly, she dunked 'Maria' her favorite brand of crackers in worm cup of 'Cola Cao' and get ready to work.

Coffee Break (Almuerzo)

10.00

Before the big mid-afternoon lunch, Blanca has a small meal during her work hour. She eats small plate foods like canapés or finger food. Some other day she ordered a tostada (grilled bread) with ham and tomato. She also drink a cup of coffee since it is common to drink coffee during her office break before continuing to work.

Lunch (La Comida)

14.00 - 16.00

The midday meal or what Blanca likes to call 'La Comida' is considered for her to be the largest meal of the day. She takes her time and enjoying the meals so the meal could last for an hour or longer. Most people would go to restaurant to order a menu del dia, which is a complete lunch with multiple courses for the price of one, but the restaurants near her workplace are super crowded, she decides to treat herself with a little fancier lunch and ordered 'Cocido madrileño' at a fine dinning restaurant Casa Lucio. They have great cocido here, a stew that consists of chickpeas, vegetables, sausage. She also ordered Crema catalana, a Spanish creamed custard dessert very similar to crème brulee.

Mid-afternoon snack (Merienda)

14.00 - 16.00

Mid-afternoon snack is usually sweet. She remembers that it used to be very important during her childhood, since she has to wait around six hours from lunch to dinner. She  particular loved a sandwich with a piece of chocolate inside. Nowadays she would go grasp some churros with chocolate, pastries or ice cream or some sandwich with Iberian ham, chorizo sausage or cheese.

Dinner (La Cena)

19.00 - 23.00

As she finished from work, Blanca head into the tapas bars with her coworkers. She talks and has some drink and chomps down on potato chips that is offered to her as free tapas. After that, she went home and cooks 'Tortilla de patata', an omelet and potatoes and onion with a green salad on the side. This is a significantly lighter meal than lunch. The portions served at dinner are usually smaller, and plates are much simpler. Her dinner at restaurants usually include fresh fish or seafood or a portion of roast chicken or lamb with fried potatoes or rice. A simple and quick dish, commonly eaten at dinner is arroz cubano, a mound of white rice, topped with tomato sauce and a fried egg.

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Source :

Bingham, A. (2019, August 5). Spain Dining Guide: When are Spanish Mealtimes? Retrieved November 25, 2019, from https://spanishsabores.com/2015/06/17/spain-dining-guide-when-are-spanish-mealtimes/.