Tapas is an essential part of the Spanish culinary tradition, and one that has gained popularity around the world. Not only is it a chance to sample some of the country’s finest cuisine, but it is also a social experience best enjoyed with a group of friends or family. However solo diners are also very welcome in a tapas bar.
A tapas meal typically involves the whole table sharing several small dishes, rather than eating your own individual dish. There are no fixed rules about how tapas should be eaten, so don’t worry about etiquette too much. Having said that, if you have never eaten tapas before, here are a few helpful tips to bear in mind.
The essence of tapas is to share the food, rather than to order a dish that you want to eat entirely for yourself. Therefore even if you really love a dish, hold back and give everyone the chance to try it. You can always order another one later on.
Make sure there is something for everyone in your order, particularly if there are vegetarians or vegans in the group. Great vegetarian tapas dishes include green bean salad, goat’s cheese omelette, fried potatoes with brava and garlic sauce, and spinach and blue cheese croquettes.
It’s fine to use your fingers, forks, or skewers to eat tapas dishes, so dig in as you please. Savour the different textures and flavours of the food rather than rushing to eat as quickly as possible. Compare your thoughts about each dish with your dining companions as eating tapas is a social activity and should be a communal experience.
In some tapas restaurants, it’s traditional to throw your napkin on the floor. It is said that the more napkins are on the floor, the better the restaurant is, because it’s an indication of how many customers they have. However it’s a dying tradition, so if in doubt leave your napkin on the table!
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