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10 Typical Vegetarian Tapas

10 Typical Vegetarian Tapas

Whether you are looking for alternatives to meaty tapas or something new to try, check out these typical vegetarian favourites next time you are out tapeando!

1.  Patatas Bravas**:
In Europe, it seems as though the potato is everywhere!  From Ireland to Amsterdam, this root vegtable is as popular as ever and Spain is no exception.  Probably the most spiciest dish found in Spain, patatas bravas are a classic tapa!  For a new spin on an old favourite, try Las Bravas, a tapas bar popular amongst the locals.  They specialize in bravas which come slathered in their own patented sauce!  

**Sometimes brava sauce can contain animal fats.  Patrons must be sure to ask for salsas with no traces of meat nor animal based fats.**

Las Bravas
Calle Alvarez Gato, 3.  Metro Sol
Website: www.lasbravas.com/en/#

2.  Tortilla
An icon in the world of Spanish cooking, the spanish omlette or tortilla even has folkloric origins coming from the region of Pamplona and created by a General from the Military who concocted this amazing dish.   A tortilla can be found in every tapas bar, but for a variety of vegetarian options, try Bar Casa Paco, where you can order a tortilla with cheese or mushrooms.

Bar Casa Paco
Calle Altamirano, 38. Metro: Arguelles
Website: www.barcasapaco.es

3.  Pimientos de Padrón
Originating from Galicia in Northwestern Spain, these tiny green peppers are fried in olive oil and served with salt.  They are typically not spicy, but rumor has it that one pepper in the bunch can be extremely spicy!  You’ll never know until you try it!  You can find pimientos de padrón in most Galician bars, or in Restaurante Melos.

Restaurante Melos
Calle Ave Maria, 44.  Metro: Lavapiés

4.  Aceitunas
Along side bulls, flamenco and delicious wines, there could be nothing more emblematic to Mediterranean Spain than olives. Here in Spain, they are more than your salty soaked olives stuffed with red pimiento pepper.  Here, they can be found stuffed with cheeses, skewered with pickled peppers and onions, stuffed with jalapeños and much much more!  In the Mercado San Miguel you can find an array of specialty stuffed Spanish olives to satisfy all type of palates!  Look for the stall called La Hora de Vermut.

Mercado San Miguel, La Hora de Vermut
S/n (Near the Plaza Mayor and Calle Mayor). Metro: Sol
Website: www.mercadodesanmiguel.es

5.  Patatas Alioli:
If looking for an garlicy alternative to the spicy patatas bravas, be sure to try patatas alioli.  Coming from the Mediterrian coastal regions of Catalonia to Valencia, alioli was first a mixture of oil and well mashed garlic.  Today this mixture is mixed in with mayonnaise.

Can be found in most bars.

6.  Croquetas:
While the origins of croquettes many have come from France, today we are surely to associate the croqueta with Spain!  These little crispy, breaded, filled rolls are usually paired with bechamel and whatever else you may fancy!  Many croquetas at restaurants come with jamón or cod, but at Javier Martin Croquetas you have 32 options, including vegetarian and sweet dessert croquetas!

Javier Martin Croquetas
Calle Toledo, 74.   Metro:  La Latina
Website: www.javiermartincroquetas.com 

7. Tostas:
A simple, yet an absolute staple in Spain, the tosta or toasted french bread, is topped with meat, cheeses, pates and can be found almost everywhere in Madrid!  For a unique Basque twist come to Lamiak where you can enjoy vegetarian options such as a tosta with tomato, caramelized onions and goats cheese.

Two locations:
Cava Baja,  42.  Metro:  La Latina
De La Rosa, 10.  Metro:  Anton Martin
Website: www.lamiak.net

8.  Montaditos:
If you haven’t discovered this little money saving gem, you are missing out!  With over 100 types of montaditos, or small sandwiches, they have options for every kind of preference!  Be sure to check out .50 cent Mondays at participating locations.

100 Montaditos
Locations:  All over Madrid.  Check out the webpage for the nearest!
Website: www.spain.100montaditos.com

9.  Pisto Manchego:
Coming from the region of Castilla-La Mancha, pisto manchego is a tomatoey dish with a mixture of robust flavours including eggplants, zucchinis, onions and red or green peppers, mixed with olive oil topped with a fried egg!  For a traditional “pisto” dish try restaurant Malaspina.

Malaspina
Calle de la Cadiz, 9.  Metro:  Sol
Website: www.facebook.com/pages/Taberna-Malaspina

10.  Gazpacho:
Now that the weather is beginning to heat up, you will soon see Gazpacho on many restaurant menus.  This cold, raw vegetable soup originates from Andalucia, where it’s roots come from Arab cooking; today it is an evolution of the Arab garlic soup.  Be sure not to confuse this with Salmorejo, which is made with less raw vegetables and is usually served with ham.  You can of course ask for it without ham.  Both are delicious.

Can be found in most bars, try Rodilla for a low-cost option.

Rodilla (Many locations throughout the city)
Puerta del Sol, 13. Metro: Sol
Website: www.rodilla.es

2 Replies to “10 Typical Vegetarian Tapas”

  1. Great vegetarian tapas list! However, I must add that the brava sauce at Las Bravas is not 100% vegetarian by some definitions as it contains pork fat. Found this out the hard way a few months ago and I was upset. 🙁

    1. Hi Vero, thanks for your comment! It’s a good reminder to always double check with the restaurant about what exact ingredients are used in sauces! I’ll be sure to update the post! Thanks again!

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