The Art of Eating Tapas

The great thing about tapas is that it's everywhere. And it's cheap. Especially in Salamanca, and especially on a street close to my apartment (Calle Van Dyck, if anyone ever comes here!).

The first time I went to eat tapas, it took my spying on customers at 4 different restaurants to figure out what was going on. Was I supposed to sit down? Wait to be seated? Call a waiter?


Slowly I figured out that 1. you go up to the bar and tell them what you want, 2. things on the menu were usually for lunch - and not part of the tapas deal, and 3. there are more options than what they lay out for you at the bar.



Every tapas bar is just that--a bar. On the counter there are platters of what look like hors d'œuvres and trays of "main dishes", as if at a buffet. Usually there are tons of people, standing around the bar, sitting at small hightop tables, and lounging outside on the terrace.

Somehow you have to get the waiter's attention. Then he will say, "Que quieres comer?" (What do you want to eat?) You either point at one of the platters or order some specialty. He'll take a tiny plate and fork on some of whatever you ordered. If it's served cold, he will most likely put some sauce on it and hand it right over. If it's served warm, he'll pop it in the microwave for a bit. And if it's still raw, he will grill it right in front of you before handing it over.

"Y beber?" (and to drink?)

Most likely, there is a combo deal (ie 1.50 euros for a plate and a drink) or the plate is free and comes with the drink, which is what you actually pay for. In any case, there is never much difference between getting a drink and not getting a drink. The most common is "con una cana," which is a beer, or "con un vino tinto," which is red wine.

After your plate--one is never enough--you can either order another one or pay and leave to go to another tapas bar! After all, it's called "ir de tapas," which is to go for tapas. You have to go to at least two.

The great thing about tapas is that you never have that "Crap, what should I order? I can't decide!" type feeling because you can have a taste of all that you want. If it's bad, you've only paid a dollar anyway and there isn't much of it. If it's good--and it usually is-- you can always have more or try something else.

If you're ever in Salamanca, here are my favorite tapas bars (an awesome German woman who's been here 16 times showed us around): La Oficina, La Galetea, Blanco y Negro, Momo, and any of those in the Plaza Mayor (a little more expensive). Enjoy!