Ready for a typical Spanish lunch that will make your head spin? Well take all your big plans and break them… Seeing all the sights will be tough after taking down this three course meal! If you’ve never heard of the plato del dia, menu del dia, or simply plate of the day, then I hope you’re hungry. We’re going to break down some of the best food in Spain in this article!
Where to Find the Best Food in Spain
When searching for a plato del dia you may be surprised by all the places you’ll find them! Some of the best food in Spain we’ve had has been off the beaten path and out of the main tourist areas.
We’ve enjoyed amazing dishes all over the country, from the Canary Islands food scene to the best tapas in Granada. If you have a car, don’t hesitate to get out into the mountains on your hunt for the best menu.
Let’s put it this way… You’re just as likely to find an amazing meal on the outskirts of Barcelona than you are on the famous Las Ramblas street. This also can be a great way to save money if you’re on a budget.
Believe it or not, some of the best plate of the day deals we’ve found only cost 7 Euros. Yet, just because you find a low price is no guarantee for a local delight. A 12-15 Euro plate could bring you something more exquisite, and still be totally worth the price!
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Typical Plate of the Day in Spain
- Drink: Beer, wine, soda, juice or water.
- Primer Plato: Soup, salad, or light small plate.
- Segundo Plato: Heavier dish of meat or seafood.
- Dessert or Coffee: Flan, pudding, ice cream, or a coffee with milk.
- Cost: 7-12 Euros
- Time: 12-3pm
Plato Del Dia Drinks
Not every menu del dia comes with a drink, but the majority will include a beverage of your choice. Usually it’s a local beer, wine, or soda that will go perfectly with your meal.
Just the fact that you’re getting a drink for free with lunch is amazing, right?? In the summer we prefer beer or tinto de verano (wine of the summer), and in the winter we gravitate towards a nice glass of Spanish red.
Here’s a few more of our favorite drinks in Spain to enjoy. Cheers!
Our Favorite: Tinto de Verano
First Course of the Menu del Dia
Let’s start out with the first course. It’s important to know that the appetizer to your entree will make or break your plato del dia! Depending on where you are in Spain you should have at least two options to pick from.
One will most likely be a salad with toppings, while the others will be some sort of soup or small seafood dish. Even though it may be tempting to go with something heavy to start your typical Spanish lunch, you might want to avoid that. The 2nd course will be heavier, and you’ll need to save room for dessert as well!
Our Favorite: Octopus Salad
Plato Del Dia Second Course
Okay it’s time for your main dish! This is where you get your moneys worth, and some of the best food in Spain. Here you’ll have anywhere from two to five different options for the 2nd course which makes it a little more difficult to choose than your app.
Our general rule of thumb is to go with what’s local to each area. For example, on the islands or near the sea we go with fish. While on the mainland we might have pork or beef for our typical Spanish lunch. Only you can truly know what you’re in the mood for, but do some research to see what’s popular in the area for the best results.
Our Favorite: Pescado a la Plancha
Desert and Coffee
Still hungry? We hope so because it’s time for something sweet to finish off your plate of the day! If you’ve never had a Spanish dessert then you’re in for a real treat. Common finishers of the menu del dia are flan, cake, or chocolate mousse.
Rarely does a menu include coffee and dessert though so you may need to pick between the two. Dessert was the easy choice for us, but just know that you can easily pay one euro for a coffee to go with it.
Our Favorite: Flan and Cafe con Leche
Our Favorite Plates of the Day
€7 Family Style
€11.95 Catalonia Plate of the Day
€12 Mountain Meal
€8 Local Specialties
At this point you’re likely ready for a siesta… And trust us, we know how you feel! Have any questions on the best food in Spain or want to share your own plato del dia experience? Comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Hi there. Down here in Almería we generally get a salad along with the entrada, main course and postre. A worthy alternative to the menú del día is a plato combinado, with – for example, salad, pork slices, egg and fries all on the same plate. A beer (and large Almería tapa) to start with.
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Wow that’s awesome! We’ve been all of Spain and the Canary Islands and everywhere seems to have their own take on it. This one sounds delicious ( :