Information on Eating Out and Spanish Cuisine

Eating Out

Most restaurants will provide "raciones" (tapas as they are known in UK) most of the time. Occasionally the kitchen is closed between 5 and 9, but they will still provide some food on request, often that displayed on the bar. They usually serve a "menu del dia" and "a la carta" between 1.30/2 pm and 4/5pm, and dinner a la carta from 9pm. Bar JJ (jota jota) has the kitchen open all day until 10pm.

Menu del dia (this is what you will get if you ask for the menu) - a daily menu of 3 courses with restricted choice for 7 - 14 euros including wine, gaseosa (lemonade), water or beer. The choices are often displayed outside the restaurant otherwise you can ask what there is and you will either be presented with the list or they will read it out to you. Sometimes you can select "postre or cafe" (desert or coffee) but ususally cafe is extra. The menu is usually very good value.

A la carta - this is like choosing from the menu in UK.

Some possible choices and terms that may not appear in your phrase book or dictionary can be found below.

Starters – primer plato

Main courses - segundo plato

Desserts – postres – the selection is usually limited to those below

Various

Terms