What is a tapa?

Learn what Spanish tapas are, their cultural significance, and how The Best Tapa app helps you discover the best tapas bars in Spain.

What is a tapa?

A tapa is a small dish of food served in Spain, often alongside a beer or glass of wine. Portions are meant for sharing and sampling rather than a full meal, which makes tapas such a social way of eating.

Where Does the Word “Tapa” Come From? (Tapas History)

The word tapa means “lid" or “cover” in Spanish. According to a popular origin story, bartenders once placed a slice of bread or ham over a glass of wine to protect it from flies and dust. Over time, this custom is said to have evolved into the modern concept of tapas: small plates of Spanish food.

Where Were Tapas Invented?

There is no single confirmed place where tapas were invented. Several stories trace their origin to different parts of Spain, especially Seville in Andalusia, but historians generally agree that tapas evolved over time rather than being created in one exact city or region. What is certain is that they spread quickly across Spain as a way of eating.

Popular Types of Spanish Tapas

Spanish tapas range from simple to elaborate, and the dishes available often depend on the region and the tapas bar. Some of the most popular types of tapas include:

• Cold bites: olives, cheese, cured ham (jamon), or pan con tomate (bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil).
• Fried classics: croquetas, calamares, or patatas bravas.
• Seafood: gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) or boquerones (marinated anchovies)
• Egg dishes: tortilla espanola, a thick potato and egg omelet
• Skewered bites known as pinchos or pintxos, especially in the Basque Country

Are Tapas Free or Ordered from the Menu?

In some cities, especially in southern Spain, such as Granada and Jaén, a small tapa comes free with each drink. In many other places, tapas are menu items you order individually, often shared at the table so everyone can try a few different dishes.

How The Best Tapa App Helps You Find the Best Tapas

The Best Tapa app lets users vote on and discover the best tapas at authentic Spanish bars and restaurants. Easily see which dishes locals recommend and what is worth ordering near you.

Tried a great tapa at a local tapas bar? Add it to The Best Tapa app in under a minute so others can find the best tapas in Spain too. Hungry right now? Browse top-rated tapas near you and discover what locals love.

Tapas FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Spanish Tapas

• Is a tapa a full meal? Not usually. A single tapa is a small portion for sharing or sampling. Several tapas together, known as "tapeo," can make a full meal.
• What is the difference between a tapa and a pincho? A pincho, or pintxo, is a type of tapa served on a small piece of bread, often held together with a toothpick, and is especially common in northern Spain.
• Do you have to pay for tapas? It depends on the bar and city. Some places include a free tapa with a drink order, while others charge for each tapa on the menu.
• How do I find the Best Tapas in Spain? Simple: visit https://thebesttapa.com/en/discover and search for your city,, or allow location access to see the most-voted places around you.