When you think of Spanish cuisine, one word almost always comes to mind: tapas. These small dishes have become a symbol of Spain’s identity and a beloved tradition that brings people together in lively bars, sunny terraces, and cozy taverns  all across the country. But tapas are more than just food— it is a way to socialize,  taste local products, and experience the Spanish lifestyle. Valencia may be famous for its paellas and esmorzaret but the tapas here are also amazing, and fortunately, very budget friendly aswell!

What Are Tapas?

The word tapas comes from the Spanish word tapa, meaning lid or tapar meaning «to cover.» According to popular legend, bartenders in Andalusia once covered glasses of sherry with slices of bread to keep flies out— as the tradition developed some meat or cheese was added to the bread, developing into tapas as we now know them. Over time, these «lids» evolved into the small, delicious plates we know today.

Tapas can be hot or cold, simple or elaborate. The most classic  tapas included Russian Salad (ensaladilla rusa), Spanish tortilla, spicy potatoes (patatas bravas), aswell as sliced meats, cheeses and an array of seafood. The beauty of tapas lies in sharing a variety of tapas with friends throughout the evening.

The Tapas Experience

Eating tapas isn’t just about satisfying hunger; it’s all about socializing, above all, chatting and sharing with friends.  Not only is tapas the name of the dishes, but its also a verb, you can go to ‘tapear’ or tapas crawl, hopping from bar to bar, enjoying a drink and a diffrerent dish at each stop. Although this tradition is more common in the more southern parts of Spain such as Granada. These tapas tend to be traditional and simple and are served for free with each drink, you might even find yourself having had a full meal without paying a cent!  It’s a very social affair, people gather in loud, lively bars, often standing while they eat and chat.

If you head north to the Basque Country, and you’ll find a completely different scene. Here, the tapas are known as pintxos (or pinchos), which are small bites typically served on a slice of bread and held together with a largetoothpick. You’ll often find them displayed across the bar, and you’re free to help yourself (although ask first!), at the end, the bartender counts your toothpicks to total your bill. The pintxos are very varied and feature ingredients like marinated anchovies, mushrooms, and goat cheese. Cities like San Sebastián are famous for their high quality pintxos.

And of course, in Valencia, the local tapas reflect the city’s coastal Mediterranean identity. You’ll find plenty of seafood like clóchinas (small, flavorful Valencian mussels) and tellinas (tiny clams), as well as regional specialties like esgarraet—a cold salad made of roasted red peppers and salted cod. Tapas here are often eaten more as a sit down meal, where you order a number of plates to share at a table between friends.  It is a great way to share food over great conversation, and the meals time are often long and drawn out as all of the dishes come out at a different times, or if you’re not full by the end you can always order more and stay even longer.

Not just about the food

One of the best things about tapas isn’t just the food—it’s the way they bring people together. Tapas are meant to be shared, making them the perfect excuse to slow down, catch up with friends, and spend hours chatting around the table. In Spain, meals are as much about connection as they are about eating, and tapas encourage a relaxed, social atmosphere where conversation flows just as easily as the wine. Whether you’re out bar-hopping with classmates or sitting on a terrace with locals, sharing tapas is a simple, authentic way to feel part of Spanish life.

Here at Euroace we often organize tapas dinners for our students so you can try some typical foods, meet eachother, and of course practice there Spanish!