“I love Spanish tapas! There are so many delicious dishes out there with bold flavours and unexpected combinations, but few are as fun and satisfying as Spanish tapas. These small shared plates are perfect
Tapas can be hot or cold, meat-based or vegetarian, simple or elaborate—making them a perfect way to sample a variety of Spanish flavors in one meal.
Spanish inspired Ingrediants:
- Olives
- smoked paprika
- mackeral
- good crusty bread
- chirozo or ham
- potatoes
- manchego cheese
- tomaotes, onions and garlic
- octopus
- shrimp
- anchovies
Tapas Dishes Recommended:
- Crispy Bread topped with tuna, anchovies, or tomatoes
- Potatoes Bravas
- Shrimp sautéed in olive oil or stewed in tomato sauce
- Croquettes made with fish or meat
- Fried Cheese drizzle with honey
- Fried Squid or Octopus
- Charcuterie Board- with olives, machete cheese and jamon
- Spanish omelette or frittata
No-Cook Tapas Ideas:
- Marinated olives
- Tomato and anchovy salad (or tomato slices with olive oil and salt)
- Assorted Spanish cheeses (manchego, cabrales)
- Jamón serrano or prosciutto
- Chorizo slices
- Nuts (like Marcona almonds)
- Dips (romesco, aioli, or olive tapenade)
- Crusty bread or crackers
- Mini charcuterie boards with chutney and cherry tomatoes
Easy-to-Cook Tapas Ideas:
- Roasted peppers or grilled vegetables
- Patatas bravas (crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce)
- Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp)
- Tortilla española (Spanish potato omelet)
- Albondigas (Spanish meatballs)
How to plan a Tapas night:
Sizzling Tapas: Meaty Bites Full of Flavour
Spanish chorizo, sliced and slowly cooked with onions in a rich tomato and red wine sauce. The smoky, slightly spicy sausage infuses the sauce with bold flavor. This dish is comforting, rustic, and ideal with crusty bread to mop up the juices. Hosting Tip: Serve it warm in a terracotta bowl with toothpicks for easy sharing.
Tender mini lamb chops seasoned with rosemary, garlic, olive oil, and a touch of lemon, then grilled to juicy perfection. This is a slightly elevated tapa—great for adding variety and richness to your tapas spread.
Small cubes of lamb or beef are slowly stewed with tomatoes, red peppers, paprika, and a splash of red wine or sherry until tender and flavorful. This tapa is heartier—perfect for cooler evenings or when you want a rustic, comforting dish on the table. For extra flavour you can add some spicy red pepper flakes.
Veggie Tapas That Steal the Show
Shishito Peppers, these mild, slightly sweet green peppers are blistered in olive oil until charred and tender, then finished with flaky sea salt and a squeeze of lemon. Perfect as a quick, crowd-pleasing tapa—just beware: about one in ten packs a surprising kick!
Patatas Bravas, crispy fried potato cubes served with brava sauce (smoky tomato-based) and creamy garlic aioli. Always a crowd favourite—even meat lovers go back for more.
Fried Artichokes hearts lightly coated and fried until golden. Best with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt. Delicate, crispy, and sophisticated
Roasted Peppers with Olive Oil, Feta & Marcona Almonds -Sweet roasted peppers are drizzled with good olive oil, topped with crumbled feta, and finished with a sprinkle of buttery Marcona almonds for crunch. This vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired tapa is rich, tangy, and perfectly balanced for any tapas spread.
Spanish Potato Omelet is easy to make and hearty. A thick, hearty omelette made with thinly sliced potatoes and onions, cooked slowly in olive oil. It’s one of the most iconic tapas, and it’s naturally vegetarian.
Garlic Mushrooms, sautéed in olive oil with garlic, parsley, and a splash of sherry or white wine. Juicy, earthy, and incredibly aromatic.
Beans Stewed with Cream or Tomatoes. Tender white beans are gently cooked in one of two ways: with leeks and a splash of cream for a delicate, subtly sweet dish, or simmered in a rustic tomato sofrito with garlic, onion, and smoked paprika for a heartier, more robust flavor. Both versions are comforting, flavorful, and perfect served warm with crusty bread.
Seafood Tapas to Savor: Anchovies, Octopus & More
Fresh white anchovies cured in vinegar, garlic, and parsley, then drizzled with olive oil. Delicate, tangy, and briny, they’re often served with potato chips or crusty bread and make the perfect salty snack with a glass of cold beer or vermouth.
Fresh mackerel fillets are lightly seasoned and pan-fried in olive oil until crispy on the outside and tender inside. Served warm with a squeeze of lemon, they’re bold, savory, and packed with rich, coastal flavor—an easy yet classic seafood tapa.
Tender octopus slices, sprinkled with smoked paprika, sea salt, and drizzled with olive oil, served over a bed of sliced boiled potatoes. A classic from Galicia, this dish is rich, slightly smoky, and elegantly simple.
Whole baby squid, quickly grilled with garlic, parsley, and olive oil. They’re tender with a slight char, offering a taste of the sea in every bite.
Juicy shrimp are sautéed in sizzling garlic butter with a hint of chili and a splash of olive oil, creating a rich, aromatic tapa that’s deeply satisfying. Serve hot with crusty bread to soak up the golden, garlicky sauce.
Benefits of Tapas: Why Small Plates Make a Big Impact
Communal Eating: encourages connection, good conversation and communal dining with your guests. It’s interesting to have different dishes, and your guests will be interested in what these dishes are and learning more about Spanish tapas.
Can make it healthy: Tapas are easy to make healthy by focusing on quality ingredients like olive oil, fresh herbs, and seasonal produce.
Flexible and customizable: They’re also simple to customize for any dietary preference, making them perfect for a crowd.
Budget friendly: Use simple, seasonal ingredients to create rich, flavorful dishes without overspending.
Great for hosting: If you’re looking for an easy way to feed your guests, try Spanish tapas! It’s sure to be a pleasant surprise, and paired with some great cocktails, you’ll create an unforgettable experience.
The key here is simplicity—many of the ingredients don’t need to be cooked. Think marinated olives, a fresh tomato salad, bowls of nuts or cheese, sliced ham, or a flavorful dip. This is a versatile, Spanish-inspired cuisine that invites creativity. Feel free to add your own twist to enhance the experience. The best part? These dishes are generally healthy and easy to mix and match with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Small bowls filled with nuts, sauces, and dips work beautifully, and you can even put together mini charcuterie plates with chutney, tomatoes, and cured meats for a vibrant, shareable spread.