Page 578 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

576  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

One of the joys of eating out in Spain is the of top­quality gourmet restaurants, notably
sheer sociability of the Spanish. Family and in the Basque Country. The restaurants listed
friends, often with children in tow, can be on pages 582–605 have been selected for
seen eating out from early in the day until their food and conviviality. Pages 578–81
after midnight. The country’s food has a illustrate some of the best tapas and drinks
highly regional bias and traditional restau­ on offer; and the book’s five regional sections
rants will typically serve dishes based on include features on each area’s unique food
local produce. Spain also has its fair share and wines.

Many work places allow their or beer. In Spain la cena (dinner
staff to have a break for or supper) begins at about 9 or
breakfast between 10 and 10pm. Restaurants sometimes
11am, which is why cafés are begin their evening service
often busy mid-morning. This earlier for tourists. In summer,
meal may consist of a savoury however, Spanish families and
snack, such as a bocadillo groups of friends often do not
(sandwich) with sausage, sit down to eat until as late
ham or cheese, a thick slice as midnight. At weekend
of tortilla de patatas (potato lunchtimes, especially in
omelette) or a churro (fried summer, you may find that
batter stick). Fruit juice, restaurants are filled by large
coffee or beer are the and noisy family gatherings.
usual accompaniments.
During the week, people
take a break for la comida How to Dress
An elaborately decorated bar, with a (lunch) at about 2pm. This is A jacket and tie are rarely
variety of drinks on offer, Barcelona the main meal of the day. required, but the Spanish
From about 1pm at dress smartly, especially
Restaurants and Bars
weekends, people will Decorative lamp for city restaurants. Day
The cheapest and quickest stop in the bars for a beer in a bar dress is casual in beach
places to eat are the bars and or a copa (glass) of wine resorts, but shorts are
cafés that serve tapas. However, with tapas. This tradition is frowned upon in the evenings.
not all bars serve food. This is called irse de cañas (caña is a
especially true of pubs, which type of beer). The cafés, salones
are more about drinking and de té (tearooms) and pastelerías Reading the Menu
socializing. Family-run bar- (pastry shops) fill up by about Aside from tapas, perhaps the
restaurantes, ventas, posadas, 5:30 or 6pm for la merienda (tea) cheapest eating options in
mesones and fondas – all old of sandwiches, pastries or cakes, Spanish restaurants are the
words for the different types of with coffee, tea or juice. By 9pm, platos combinados (meat or fish
inns – serve inexpensive, sit- bars are crowded with people with vegetables and, usually,
down meals. Chiringuitos are having tapas with sherry, wine chips) and the fixed-price menú
beachside bars that open only
during the summer season.
Most restaurants close one day
a week, some for lunch or dinner
only, and most for an annual
holiday. Away from the tourist
areas, a few also close on some
public holidays. Always call the
restaurant ahead to check.

Eating Hours in Spain
Some Spanish people have
breakfast (desayuno) first thing
in the morning, at home. This is
a light meal of biscuits or toast
with olive oil or butter and jam
and café con leche (milky coffee). Designer tapas bar in Barcelona

576-577_EW_Spain.indd 576 10/11/2017 09:48
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.6)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm