Quick answer
Spain needs some care for vegetarians, because ham and seafood appear in many dishes, but tapas make it manageable: patatas bravas, pan con tomate, tortilla, pimientos de padrón and espinacas con garbanzos are all meat-free. Barcelona and Madrid have plenty of vegetarian restaurants and Indian and Pakistani places. Andalusia and small towns are harder.
How easy is it to eat well?
Vegetarian & Jain friendliness
5 = easy everywhere, 1 = plan every meal
Indian food availability
5 = Indian restaurants everywhere, 1 = rare
What to order (and what to ask about)
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce. The aioli served alongside contains egg.
Pan con tomate
Toasted bread rubbed with tomato, garlic and olive oil. Vegan and on every Catalan menu.
Tortilla de patatas
A thick potato and egg omelette, often with onion. Eaten warm or cold, by the slice.
Pimientos de padrón
Small fried green peppers with sea salt. Most are mild, but the occasional one is hot.
Gazpacho
Cold tomato and cucumber soup, usually vegan. Its cousin salmorejo is often topped with ham and egg, so ask for it 'sin jamón'.
Paella
The Valencian original has chicken and rabbit, and seafood paella is common. Ask for 'paella de verduras', which many places make for two or more.
Espinacas con garbanzos
Seville's spinach and chickpeas with cumin and garlic, close to a chana saag. Occasionally made with meat stock; ask.
Croquetas
Creamy fried croquettes, most often filled with ham. Mushroom, spinach and cheese versions are common.
Escalivada
Catalan roasted aubergine, peppers and onion in olive oil. Vegan.
Churros con chocolate
Fried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate, a breakfast or late-night treat.
Jamón ibérico
Cured ham, Spain's most famous food. It turns up in salads, croquettes and vegetable dishes, so always mention it when ordering.
Phrases that help
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Soy vegetariano / vegetariana. | I am vegetarian (male / female). |
| Sin carne ni pescado, por favor. | Without meat or fish, please. Some cooks consider tuna acceptable for vegetarians, so be explicit. |
| Sin jamón. | Without ham. |
| ¿Lleva caldo de carne? | Does it have meat stock in it? |
| Sin huevo. | Without egg. |
Is Spain easy for vegetarians?
Easier than it looks, as long as you're specific. Traditional Spanish cooking uses a lot of ham, chorizo and seafood, and "vegetarian" doesn't always mean what you expect — tuna and ham sometimes appear in "vegetable" salads and stews. Say "sin carne ni pescado" and "sin jamón" clearly.
Tapas solve most problems. Order several small plates — bravas, pan con tomate, tortilla, padrón peppers, escalivada and cheese — and you have a full, varied meal.
City by city
- Barcelona: the easiest, with many vegetarian and vegan restaurants and clearly marked menus.
- Madrid: good choice in the centre and in Lavapiés and Malasaña.
- Seville and Granada: harder, though espinacas con garbanzos, salmorejo without ham and tortilla help. Granada's free tapas with drinks are often meat-based; ask for a vegetarian one.
Where can you find Indian food in Spain?
Barcelona's El Raval, near the Ramblas, has many Indian and Pakistani restaurants and grocery shops. In Madrid, Lavapiés is the main area for Indian and South Asian food. Seville and Granada have a few Indian restaurants each. Most menus are North Indian, with dal, paneer and naan; South Indian food is rare.
For Jain travellers
Jain eating is difficult in Spain. Onion and garlic are in almost everything, and potatoes are central. Carry packaged meals, choose hotels with kitchenettes, and ask Indian restaurants in Barcelona or Madrid for Jain preparation in advance.
Meal times and costs
Spain eats late: lunch from 2 pm and dinner from 9 pm. The menú del día at lunch, with two courses, bread and a drink, costs about €14–20 and is the best-value meal of the day. Tapas cost €3–8 a plate, and a dinner of several shared plates about €20–35 a person.
Budget ₹2,500–4,500 per person a day for food — see our Spain trip cost.
To stay near good food, see where to stay in Barcelona. For sights, see things to do in Spain, and for documents, the Spain visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What vegetarian tapas should I order in Spain?
Is paella vegetarian?
Where can I find Indian restaurants in Barcelona?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
