While there are tapas-style restaurants in most major metro areas, you may not have as much experience with these small, bite-sized Spanish dishes as you'd like. Of course, going out for tapas is the best way to learn more about the traditional flavors, dishes, and customs, but here's a little cheat sheet of popular tapas dishes you are likely to see on menus in the U.S. and Spain, so you can study up before you head out.
With countless varieties of tapas available, how do you choose? Here are some notable tapas and accompaniments:
Aceitunas (olives): especially marinated and stuffed varieties
Albóndigas (meatballs): often prepared from pork, veal, beef, or a combination of meats
Allioli: Catalan garlic and oil sauce eaten with fish, meat, and vegetables, and served as a dip and accompaniment
Banderillas: tidbits of marinated fish, olives, veggies and the like, skewered on toothpicks
Calamares: deep-fried battered squid
Ceviche: thin-sliced raw fish, marinated and "cooked" in an acidic marinade
Chipirones en su Tinta: Squid served in ink sauce
Chorizo al vino: chorizo sausage slowly cooked in wine
Conservas: what the French call "confits;" preserved foods poached in oil over low heat, then sealed and stored
Croquetas: Spanish croquettes/fritters
Empanadas: large savory pies
Gambas al ajillo: prawns sautéed with garlic
Gildas: anchovies, olives, and guindilla chiles skewered on a toothpick; named after Rita Hayworth's portrayal of Gilda
Patatas bravas: fried potato made with salsa brava, a spicy pepper and oil sauce
Mejillónes: steamed mussels
Pinchos (pintxo): lamb, pork, or chicken, marinated and skewered on sticks
Puntillitas: battered and fried baby squid
Queso: Fresh and marinated cheeses
Romesco sauce: peppers, tomatoes, almonds, bread, and onions roasted then puréed into a thick sauce
Salsa verde: classic Basque Country green sauce usually served with hake or cod fish
Samfaina "sauce": mixture of stewed eggplant, tomatoes, and zucchini
Serrano ham/jamón Serrano: used in any number of tapas, but often just sliced and served on its own
Tortilla española: famous potato and onion omelet
Tostas: tapas served on toasted bread
