One of the first things I do every time I visit Spain is to enjoy some tapas. The essence of tapas is all about is sharing good food and drinks in an informal setting, it’s a social ritual synonymous with Spanish cuisine. Socializing Spanish style typically revolves around eating and drinking, and Spaniards can enjoy up to 5 meals in a day not including tapas! Perhaps that’s why I love Spain so much! 

Tapas… how it all started

The Spanish word tapa means cover or lid and there are a few theories about the origin of tapas. Some believe the custom was started by King Alfonso XIII. Legend tells that while travelling one windy day he stopped to enjoy a glass of sherry near the beach. The waiter placed a slice of ham on top of his glass to prevent sand blowing into the drink. The King was so impressed he continued the custom, always asking for small portions of bread and ham to be served on top of his glass of wine or sherry. Another more common theory is that tapas originated as a snack for field workers during the long working hours between breakfast and lunch. They used wedges of bread and slices of ham or cheese to cover their beer and wine glasses to prevent flies flying in and the tapas tradition was born. There are many other theories but whatever the origin, tapas are traditionally a light appetizer between meals enjoyed with some beer or wine. 

Tapas in Spain

The most popular times for tapas is midday or early evening before dinner (la cena). Bear in mind that in Spain lunch is normally eaten around 2.30pm and dinner around 10pm! An afternoon treat known as la merienda is taken around 6pm and tapas sometime later around 8/9pm. Although traditionally tapas are enjoyed as snack food, they can sometimes be enjoyed as a full meal in the custom of bar hopping (tapear) which is my favourite. This means starting in one tapas bar and continuing on to other bars tasting different tapas and drinks in each new place until you’ve eaten the equivalent of a full meal. Nowadays though, it’s common for tapas to be eaten at any time of the day and of course almost anywhere in the world! 

Tapas bars

You never need to book a table in a tapas bar and but don’t worry, you shouldn’t have to wait too long anyway as tapas are eaten fairly quickly and people don’t spend too much time lingering at the table. Service is usually very fast and efficient.  Some of the older traditional tapas bars (which are usually the best) don’t have many seats or tables and can be standing room only. While you eat standing at the bar you throw the used toothpicks and paper napkins on the floor and they are swept up from time to time by the staff… no table manners needed here! Eat, throw and go.

Tapas and variations of tapas

Tapas - This is the general name for small dishes of food that are served to be shared. They can vary widely and cover anything from a simple bowl of olives to a plate of grilled prawns, patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy tomato sauce), jamón serrano, manchego cheese, croquettes, calamari, russian salad, meatballs and much more. 

Raciones - In some bars you will have the option on the menu to order raciones which are the same foods as tapas but a bigger portion size - ideal for when you're really hungry. The prices will be listed separately on the menu.

Pinchos - These are tapas that are small and can be eaten in one or two bites, typically mouth sized.  These are usually served on top of pieces of bread and eaten individually instead of being shared. Think open topped sandwich!

The 'etiquette' of tapas… is there such a thing? 

Well to be honest, not really, but here are few common sense yet fun guidelines.

o   All food is ordered to share, there are no dishes exclusively for oneself.

o   No double dipping, that’s just rude anywhere.

o   Use fingers, skewers, toothpicks or an individual fork to eat tapas - knives are not needed and rarely given.

o   Paper napkins etc., can be thrown on the floor in some establishments but not everywhere!

o   In very busy bars feel free to shout for your order, even waving your arms in the air to get the waiters attention is ok. Spaniards will be very vocal and and can be very demanding so it’s every man for himself !!

Leave most of your table manners at the door and collect them when you exit!

Julia Esteve

The Etiquette Consultant