First Time Dining in a Spanish Restaurant? 8 Signs It’s Authentic

Spanish cuisine features many dishes traditionally enjoyed during celebrations, which adds to the appeal of the dining experience.

Dining at a Spanish restaurant for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to go. These days, many establishments claim to serve authentic Spanish cuisine, but not all live up to that expectation. While some may label their offerings as "fusion," finding a truly authentic Spanish restaurant outside of Spain can be a challenge.

If you’re craving Spanish food, it’s helpful to know a few basics that can help you identify a restaurant’s authenticity. In this article, we’ll highlight some key signs to look for.

1. Serving Regional Dishes

Did you know that the different regions in Spain focus on the dishes that can only be found in their area? For instance, the Pulpo a la Gallega is from Galicia, while the Paella Valenciana is from Valencia. So, if you notice Spanish restaurants that are offering dishes from various regions in Spain, that’s the first sign that they’re authentic.

And it’s not just because they want to highlight the various dishes and ingredients from different regions, but also because they value the roots of the dishes they’re serving to their customers.

2. Using Spanish Ingredients

If a restaurant claims to be serving authentic Spanish cuisine, it should be using the right ingredients and not substitutes. For instance, instead of using regular ham, they should be using Jamón Serrano or Ibérico for croquettes and other dishes that need ham.

Another example is the use of Manchego cheese for dishes that require it. However, Manchego cheese is also often served raw, which can be in tapas or on charcuterie boards.

3. The Taste of the Food is the Same as the One You Can Find in Spain 

Nowadays, especially with the rise of fusion restaurants, many restaurants cater to the palate of the locals. So, if you see Spanish restaurants with menus in Spanish (with or without translations), no other dishes from other cuisines, and the staff are willing to explain dishes that are unfamiliar to people who aren’t familiar with the non-popular Spanish meals.

4. Simple Presentation, Big Flavour

Authentic Spanish restaurants don’t spend too many resources on plating and presentation. Instead, they focus on the flavour, quality of ingredients, and cooking methods. For instance, if you order some tapas, you can get them on small ceramic plates, without garnish. And although paella looks good and has some garnish, it’s usually because there are too many ingredients on one plate.

Of course, the dishes are still appetising, but they’re not the same as what you can get from fine dining restaurants.

5. Drinks are Also from Spain 

Although sangria isn’t always present in regular restaurants in Spain, it’s possible to have it in Spanish restaurants in other countries. However, if it’s your first time trying it, you should know that the authentic sangria isn’t too sweet and has a subtle flavour.

Meanwhile, you can also try other popular drinks in Spain, such as Cava, Wines (from Priorat, Rioja, and Ribera de Duero), and Vermouths.

6. Tapas Are Treated Properly

As you may already know, tapas can be a lot of things. It can be a small serving of food when drinking at bars, the experience of drinking with colleagues or friends, and the act of being in the bar and drinking or eating casually. So, if you feel that a restaurant or bar has this vibe, it can be a good sign that it’s authentic.

Additional information: There’s also a term used for bar hopping, which is tapeo. It doesn’t have to involve drinks. If you like, you can just try the different tapas from various bars, it can still be called tapeo.

7. Homey Decor

The authentic Spanish restaurant doesn’t have too much decoration. It’s simple, rustic, cosy, and homey. Usually, you can find some family pictures to show people behind the dishes they serve and some decorations from old houses. It’s like walking into your grandmother’s dining area, where you can smell the smell of freshly cooked meals.

8. There’s a Sense of Community

More often than not, authentic Spanish restaurants are not quiet. You can hear the things happening in the kitchen, people are talking, and there’s a vibe that you can easily get comfortable with.

In addition, if you don’t understand something, you can easily ask them, and they’ll be willing to explain things, especially if they know you’re not familiar with the culture.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see some Spanish restaurants honouring the tradition, culture, and cuisine of Spain. In addition, it can be a great experience to dine in and eat various Spanish dishes, especially if you haven’t tried them before.

However, if you still haven’t found an authentic Spanish restaurant, don’t forget to consider these signs.