Photo by Dennis Schmidt
“Life without tapas, is like a heart without love.”
There's a very pesky misconception floating around that being vegetarian, vegan or plant-based in Spain is impossible. The point of this article is to simply show that eating vegan at a tapas bar, or going for tapas in Madrid doesn't have to be a pain in the bum! Whether you go to a vegan restaurant a tapas bar de toda la vida or you're simply on the hunt for vegetarian tapas it shouldn't be hard to indulge in Spanish cuisine.
What is a Spanish tapa?
Tapas are typical small plates served either when you order a drink or when you sit down at a restaurant. Tapas can range from typical Spanish bar food to more traditional dishes, to simply a bowl of olives. Spanish tapas are a long-standing tradition and treasured custom. Since there are more and more vegan restaurants appearing in Spain, seeing vegan tapas is more common than ever. Vegetarian food is more common in Spanish food than people may think. While vegan food and traditional vegan tapas are a bit harder to find-- it's far from impossible. Keep hope alive, friends!
What is a vegan tapa?
While some may argue that Spanish food is anti-vegan with the obsession with jamón and queso manchego, I'd like to point out that some of the best vegan tapas are accidentally vegan!
Basically, a vegan tapa is any tapa without animal products like honey, butter, milk or eggs. On the other hand, spanish tortilla, (tortilla de patatas) or spanish omelet, is a very popular tapas dish and is vegetarian friendly.
What are the best vegan tapas?
Patatas bravas, for example, one of the most beloved Spanish tapas is vegan. They are fried potatoes with a spicy tomato-based spicy sauce or they're also served with a garlicky mayo ali-oli too. Fried eggplant, usually accompanied with honey is also vegetarian friendly (or vegan friendly if you ask them to exclude the honey) and guess what?! Both of these dishes are typical in Spanish cuisine.
Here's a list of the best vegan tapas in Spain (to include at your vegan tapas party!)
Gazpacho topped with olive oil (a cold tomato soup often served in a glass, not a bowl)
Fried eggplant with honey or molasses
Ajo Blanco, another chilled soup made of almonds, stale bread, garlic, olive oil and vinegar usually topped with grapes.
Spinach and chickpea stew, or espinacas con garbanzos
Patatas bravas, or fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce known as salsa brava (although spicy is 100% relative)
Pimientos de padrón / padron peppers or perfectly cooked fried green peppers that aren't spicy at all, so don't worry
Grilled mushrooms usually cooked with garlic (garlic mushrooms)
Parillada de verduras or roasted veggies sometimes served with romesco sauce, again, all vegan tapas.
Spanish olives are one of the most typical free tapas, just make sure they aren't anchovy!
Totally delicious vegetarian tapas you'll find at any tapas bar in Spain:
Tortilla española or potato omelet is one of those Spanish classics that everyone loves. It's potato, egg and onion (if you do it right) Some places make stuffed tortilla de patatas and add cheese as well. Everyone deserves a good pincho de tortilla if you ask me. (Luckily there are quite a v¡few vegan places that know how to make a tortilla completely vegan and 100% delicious.)
Patatas bravas with garlic mayonnaise
Cheese! Cheese and jam. Cheese and bread. Cheese is one of those Spanish foods that is rich, varied and vegetarian.
Huevos rotos which translates to broken eggs. You'll see this a lot in the Spanish capital. It's chips or fried crispy potatoes covered with runny eggs and usually topped with cured ham, but obviously there are vegetarian options.
Salmorejo, yet another cold tomato soup which is richer as it's made with bread and usually topped with hard boiled egg.
Is Madrid good for vegetarians?
Short answer: yes. Good food is easy to find, and most places at this stage also offer vegan options. If you go into a super small and typical tapas bars and you don't speak the language, it will be hard to express what you want and need. That said, there are many authentic recipes you can make at home. I'd be able to call Madrid vegetarian friendly quite confidently. Vegan friendly? Not yet, but there are more and more vegan spots popping up all over.
If you're a vegetarian or vegan person visiting Madrid or Spain in general don't be afraid of tapas. Before your waiter brings out your free tapas you can simply say that you're vegan or vegetarian or ask not to receive the tapa altogether. Not everyone is a fan of grilled mushrooms, I get it. But the more people speak up, the more tapas bars can learn and adjust their menu based on demand, so don't be shy.
Conclusion
We're all working together to get more vegan options. without having to stray too far from the authentic recipe. I've seen a variety of vegan places which offer Spanish classics like vegan tortilla, vegan calamari and delicious cakes that would make you, or your vegan friend scream in delight. Next time you sit down for a glass of red wine, or an ice cold caña, I hope you feel confident in the vegan options and vegetarian dishes available in Spain.
