Table of Contents
Andalusia
Andalusia is known for its sunny beaches, stunning architecture, and delicious food. Some of the region’s most famous dishes include gazpacho, a chilled soup made with tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber, and pescaíto frito, a platter of deep-fried fish. Other must-try dishes include salmorejo, a thicker version of gazpacho that’s often served with jamón and hard-boiled eggs, and flamenquín, a type of breaded and fried pork roll.
Aragon
Aragon, located in northeastern Spain, is known for its rugged mountains and medieval towns. The region’s cuisine features hearty stews and meat dishes, such as ternasco asado (roast lamb) and migas (fried breadcrumbs with chorizo and other ingredients like juicy green grapes or fried egg and morcilla – blood sausage). Another famous Aragonese dish is Bacalao Al Ajoarriero, where desalted salt cod is cooked in a frying pan in a sauce called ajoarriero, made up of potatoes, garlic, onion, and beaten eggs.
Asturias
Asturias, located in northern Spain, is renowned for its rugged coastline and mountainous landscapes. The region’s cuisine features hearty soups and stews, such as fabada asturiana (a white bean stew with pork and chorizo) and pote asturiano (a soup made with cabbage, potatoes, and beans). Asturias is also famous for its cider, poured from a great height to aerate it and enhance its flavor. Not to be forgotten is cachopo – two large veal fillets filled with ham and cheese, breaded, fried, and typically served garnished with potatoes, peppers, or mushrooms.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands, a group of islands in the western Mediterranean Sea, have a cuisine heavily influenced by the sea. Dishes like arroz brut (a rice dish made with chicken and vegetables) and sobrasada (a type of spicy sausage) are popular. The islands are also famous for their ensaimadas, a type of pastry often enjoyed for breakfast or dessert.
Basque Country
The Basque Country, located in northern Spain, is celebrated for its rugged coastline, picturesque villages, and unique language and culture. Its cuisine is globally renowned and features pintxos (Basque-style tapas), bacalao al pil pil (cod cooked in garlic and olive oil), and txangurro (a type of crab stew).
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, a group of islands off the coast of Morocco, have a cuisine heavily influenced by African and Latin American flavors. Dishes like papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes served with mojo sauce) and sancocho (a type of fish stew) are popular. The islands are also famous for their sweet wines, such as malvasía and moscatel.
Cantabria
Cantabria, located in northern Spain, is known for its rugged coastline and rolling green hills. The region’s cuisine features fresh seafood like anchovies and squid, as well as meat dishes like cocido montañés (a hearty stew made with beans and pork). Another famous Cantabrian dish is sobao pasiego, a type of sweet bread.
Castilla y León
Castilla y León, in northwestern Spain, is renowned for its historic cities like Salamanca and Burgos. The region’s cuisine features hearty stews and roasts, such as lechazo (roast lamb) and cocido maragato (a stew made with chickpeas and meats). Morcilla de Burgos, a type of blood sausage, is another famous dish.
Castilla-La Mancha
Castilla-La Mancha, located in central Spain, is known for its windmills, which inspired the classic novel Don Quixote. The region’s cuisine is simple and rustic, featuring dishes such as pisto manchego (a type of ratatouille), gazpacho manchego (a hearty soup made with game meat), and migas ruleras (fried breadcrumbs with garlic and chorizo).
Catalonia
Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, is famous for its vibrant capital city, Barcelona, as well as its stunning beaches and mountains. The region’s cuisine is renowned worldwide and features dishes such as esqueixada de bacallà (salted cod shredded and mixed with tomatoes, red peppers, onions, olives, and olive oil) and mandonguilles amb sípia (meatballs cooked with cuttlefish in a rich gravy sauce). The pollastre amb llagosta (chicken and lobster) is also a favorite dish in Catalonia, showcasing the region’s version of “surf and turf.”
Ceuta
Ceuta, located on the coast of North Africa, is known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural history. The city’s cuisine combines Spanish and North African influences, offering dishes such as arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), kefta (spiced meatballs), and pastela (a savory pie filled with chicken or seafood and flavored with cinnamon and sugar). Mint tea is a popular drink throughout North Africa, including Ceuta.
Extremadura
Extremadura, in western Spain, is known for its medieval architecture and beautiful landscapes. The region’s cuisine features hearty stews and roasts, such as cocido extremeño (a stew made with chickpeas, meat, and vegetables) and caldereta extremeña (a spicy lamb stew). Torta del casar, a type of creamy cheese, is another famous dish from Extremadura.
Galicia
Galicia, located in northwestern Spain, is famous for its rugged coastline and delicious seafood. The region’s cuisine showcases dishes like pulpo a la gallega (boiled octopus served with paprika and olive oil), empanada gallega (a savory pie), and lacón con grelos (pork shoulder with turnip greens). Galicia is also renowned for its crisp, refreshing white wines.
La Rioja
La Rioja, located in northern Spain, is known for its stunning vineyards and wineries. The region’s cuisine features hearty stews and roasts, such as caparrones (a type of bean stew) and chuletillas al sarmiento (lamb chops cooked over vine cuttings). La Rioja is also famous for its red wines, particularly those made from the tempranillo grape.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and world-class museums. The region’s cuisine is diverse and features dishes such as cocido madrileño (a stew made with chickpeas, meat, and vegetables), callos a la madrileña (a type of tripe stew), and huevos rotos (fried eggs served over crispy potatoes). Madrid is also famous for its vermouth, a type of fortified wine.
Murcia
Murcia, located in southeastern Spain, is known for its beautiful beaches and stunning architecture. The region’s cuisine features dishes such as zarangollo (a type of vegetable omelette), caldero (a type of fish stew), and paparajotes (lemon tree leaves that are battered and fried). Murcia is also famous for its sweet desserts, including tocino de cielo (a type of caramelized egg custard).
Navarre
Navarre, located in northern Spain, is renowned for its stunning landscapes and medieval towns. The region’s cuisine features dishes such as menestra (a type of vegetable stew), chuletón (a type of beef steak), and cordero al chilindrón (lamb cooked with peppers and onions). Navarre is also famous for its cider, similar to the cider produced in the neighboring Basque Country.
