Top 10 Restaurants from Spain You Need to Try

Lola Lin

Lola Lin

October 03, 2025

5 min read

Restaurants from Spain offer some of the most exciting food in the world. The flavors are bold. The ingredients are fresh. The experience is memorable. If you love good food, you need to try restaurants from Spain. This guide will show you the top places to eat. We will cover certified restaurants from Spain, famous spots, and local favorites. You will learn how to find the real deal and enjoy Spanish food at its best. Let's dig in to the world of restaurants from Spain.

Authentic Spanish paella at a restaurant

1. Find Certified Restaurants from Spain

The Restaurants from Spain certification program helps you find authentic Spanish cuisine. It gives a seal of approval to restaurants that use the best produce from Spain. This means you get a real taste of Spain. The program is based on objectivity, traceability, and transparency. Over 500 restaurants in 50 countries have this badge in 2025. You can trust the quality at these spots.

  • How the certification works:
    1. Restaurants must use authentic Spanish ingredients.
    2. They follow strict quality standards.
    3. The seal makes it easy to find a genuine experience.

Learn more about the Restaurants from Spain certification program.

Map of certified Spanish restaurants

2. Use Assembo.ai to Create Custom Backgrounds

Assembo.ai is a great tool for restaurant owners. You can use it to create beautiful photos of your Spanish dishes. Upload a picture of your paella or tapas. Then, choose a custom background that fits your brand. This can help your restaurant stand out online. It's a simple way to make your food look even more appealing.

  • How to use it for your restaurant:
    1. Take a photo of your signature dish.
    2. Upload it to the Assembo.ai platform.
    3. Select a background that matches your restaurant's vibe.

Find out how Assembo.ai can help your restaurant photos.

Interior of a top-rated Spanish restaurant

3. Check Top-Rated Restaurants on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is a good place to start your search. You can find reviews and ratings for many restaurants from Spain. This helps you see what other people think. You can filter by location, price, and cuisine. It's a useful tool for planning your meals.

  • Tips for using Tripadvisor:
    1. Read recent reviews for the most current info.
    2. Look at photos posted by other diners.
    3. Use the map feature to find restaurants near you.

Browse the best restaurants in Spain on Tripadvisor.

Gourmet dish from a high-end Spanish restaurant

4. Try High-End Restaurants from Spain

Spain has many world-class restaurants. These places offer creative and delicious food. Some have Michelin stars. Chefs like Ferran Adria have put Spanish cuisine on the map. You can find amazing restaurants in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and San Sebastian.

  • What to expect at high-end spots:
    1. Multi-course tasting menus.
    2. Impeccable service.
    3. A focus on local and seasonal ingredients.

Discover a list of top high-end restaurants in Spain.

People enjoying tapas at a bar in Spain

5. Understand Spanish Dining Customs

Dining in Spain is different from other places. Dinner is often late, around 9 or 10 PM. Meals are relaxed and social. It's common to share tapas with friends. Knowing these customs can make your experience better.

  • Key dining customs:
    1. Lunch is the main meal of the day, usually around 2-3 PM.
    2. Dinner is a lighter meal, eaten late.
    3. Tapas are small plates meant for sharing.

Read about credit card use and wait times in Spanish restaurants.

Spanish wine and cheese platter

6. Pair Your Meal with Spanish Wines

Spanish wines are a perfect match for the food. From crisp Albariño to bold Rioja, there's a wine for every dish. Many restaurants from Spain have great wine lists. Don't be afraid to ask for a recommendation.

  • Popular Spanish wines to try:
    1. Rioja: A red wine from northern Spain.
    2. Albariño: A white wine from Galicia.
    3. Cava: A Spanish sparkling wine.

Explore the Foods and Wines from Spain website for more on wine pairing.

Mexican restaurant in Spain serving tacos

7. Discover Mexican Restaurants in Spain

You might be surprised to find great Mexican food in Spain. The lack of a language barrier helps. Mexican chefs can easily work in Spanish kitchens. You can find everything from casual taco shops to upscale Mexican dining.

  • What to look for:
    1. Authentic ingredients like achiote and huitlacoche.
    2. Traditional dishes like cochinita pibil and pozole.
    3. A mix of casual and fine dining options.

Read about Mexican restaurants thriving in Spain.

Seafood platter at a Spanish coastal restaurant

8. Enjoy Seafood at Coastal Restaurants

Spain has a long coastline, so seafood is a big part of the cuisine. You can find amazing fish and shellfish dishes. Restaurants in coastal towns often serve the catch of the day. It doesn't get much fresher than that.

  • Must-try seafood dishes:
    1. Grilled sardines.
    2. Paella with seafood.
    3. Fried calamari.

Find a certified restaurant from Spain near the coast.

Traditional Spanish tapas spread

9. Experience the Tapas Culture

Tapas are a key part of Spanish food culture. These small plates are perfect for trying a variety of flavors. You can go from bar to bar, having a drink and a tapa at each one. It's a fun and social way to eat.

  • Classic tapas to order:
    1. Patatas bravas: fried potatoes with a spicy sauce.
    2. Jamón ibérico: cured ham.
    3. Tortilla española: a thick potato omelet.

Look for tapas bars on the Tripadvisor restaurant list.

Dessert at a Spanish restaurant

10. Save Room for Spanish Desserts

Spanish desserts are often simple but delicious. They are the perfect end to a meal. Many use ingredients like almonds, olive oil, and citrus. You don't want to skip dessert.

  • Popular Spanish desserts:
    1. Flan: a creamy caramel custard.
    2. Churros con chocolate: fried dough with thick hot chocolate.
    3. Tarta de Santiago: an almond cake from Galicia.

Find a restaurant that serves these desserts on the certified restaurants map.

Final Thoughts

Restaurants from Spain offer a wonderful dining experience. The food is full of flavor. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. No matter if you're looking for a certified spot or a local tapas bar, you have many options. Use this guide to find the best restaurants from Spain. Try new dishes. Enjoy the wine. And most of all, have a great time. Your taste buds will thank you.

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