In Spain, lunch is typically the largest meal of the day and is eaten between 1:30 and 3:30 pm, while dinner is usually served late, around 9 pm or later.
So let’s look deeper
In Spain, mealtime is an important part of the country’s culture and daily routine. Lunch, or “comida,” is considered the biggest meal of the day and is usually eaten between 1:30 and 3:30 pm. It typically consists of three courses, starting with a soup or salad, followed by a main dish usually consisting of fish or meat and vegetables, and finishing with dessert or fruit. In some parts of Spain, it is common for people to take a siesta, or a nap, after lunch.
Dinner, or “cena,” is typically served later than in other countries, around 9 pm or even later. It is usually a lighter meal than lunch and often consists of tapas, small dishes that are perfect for sharing with friends or family. These can range from cured meats and cheeses to seafood and vegetable dishes.
According to a famous quote by Spanish chef Ferran Adrià, “Food is not just about eating. It’s about sharing.” This sentiment is reflected in the Spanish culture of mealtime, which is often a time for socializing and spending time with loved ones.
Interesting facts about mealtime in Spain include the fact that Spain is home to over 400 varieties of cheese, many of which are enjoyed with meals. Spanish cuisine also includes a wide variety of seafood, thanks to its location on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is also common practice to leave a small amount of food on the plate after a meal in Spain, as it is considered impolite to clean your plate entirely.
To summarize the meal schedule in Spain:
| Meal | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch | Comida | 1:30-3:30 pm |
| Dinner | Cena | 9 pm or later |
In conclusion, mealtime in Spain is an important part of the culture, featuring traditional dishes and a focus on sharing with loved ones. So the next time you find yourself in Spain, don’t forget to take part in the local traditions and enjoy the delicious cuisine.
Video related “What is the meal schedule in Spain?”
This video explains the meal times in Spain. Breakfast is usually between 7 and 9 am with light options such as toast, juice, and coffee. Lunch is a two-course meal consisting of vegetables, legumes, rice, meat, or fish, and a dessert. Children have a mid-afternoon snack of a sandwich or fruit, and adults take a break for coffee, sweets, or tapas. Dinner is eaten between 9 and 10 pm and is often a lighter meal such as salad, soup, fish, or tortilla de patatas.
Here are some other responses to your query
The Spanish mealtimes typically include a light bite and coffee first thing in the morning, a more substantial "second breakfast," a hearty lunch, a mid-afternoon snack or merienda, tapas or an aperitif, and a light dinner.
People in Spain eat a little differently. Here is a rundown of the typical daily meal schedule in Spain: Desayuno – 6:00AM – 9:00AM – espresso and toast. Almuerzo – !0:00AM – 11:00AM – light snack. Comida – 2:00PM – 3:00PM – main meal of the day. Merienda – 4:00PM – 5:00PM – light snack, typically with something sweet.
Here are a few of the typical meal times in Spain:
- Breakfast number 1 (around 7 am)
- Breakfast number 2/Early lunch aka almuerzo/esmorzar (around 10-11 am)
Spanish Mealtimes and Eating Habits: What to Eat When
- Breakfast: 7 – 9 a.m.
- Almuerzo: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 2 – 4 p.m.
- Merienda: 5 – 7 p.m.
Here’s a breakdown of when we eat throughout the day in Spain, what we eat at each meal, and what kinds of dining establishments to head to for each. Contents hide Breakfast #1: 7–9 a.m. Breakfast #2: 10–11 a.m. Lunch: 2–3:30 p.m. Merienda (Mid-afternoon snack): 5–6:30 p.m. Aperitif: 8–10 p.m. Dinner: 9–11 p.m.
Furthermore, people are interested
What are the average mealtimes in Spain?
Mealtimes in Spain: When Should You Eat?
- When are the Mealtimes in Spain? The daily rhythm in Spain is quite unique and it relies on the mealtimes in Spain.
- Desayuno: 7:00-9:00.
- Almuerzo: 10:30-12:00.
- Comida: 14:00-16:00.
- Merienda: 17:30-19:00.
- Cena: 20:30-22:30.
How many meals do Spaniards eat a day?
Dinner: 9 – 11 p.m.
But on weekends, when most Spanish people tend to go out with friends, dinner can start even later and last until close to midnight. Since the Spanish food culture dictates you should eat five meals a day, dinner in Spain is a relatively light meal compared with many other countries.
What is the main meal time for Spanish?
As an answer to this: Comida: La comida is the main meal in the Spanish diet, similar to dinner in other countries, and takes place around 2:00pm. It is becoming more common that places open for lunch around 1:00pm, but it’s not yet the norm.
What is a typical Spanish evening meal?
Response to this: A typical Spanish dinner will have a main dish, such as a seafood dish, vegetarian dish, or roasted meat. This is either stuffed in a sandwich or served with a portion of rice. Common sides include a green salad, omelette, fried potatoes, grilled vegetables, cold cuts, or cheese.
What is the main meal of the day in Spain?
Response to this: Salad, pasta, rice, beans or soup as starter, then fish, meat, poultry or eggs as main course. A typical meal also includes desert and coffee. Yes, lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain! HOW LONG? Spanish people like to seat down and eat slowly. That means lunch takes an average of 1 hour.
Does lunch count as food in Spain?
Lunch is such a big deal in Spain that in many places it’s simply called la comida (literally “the meal”) as if it was the only meal that actually counted as food. Spanish lunchtime is food paradise. Most restaurants open for lunch around 1:30 p.m. and the crowds start pouring in around 2 p.m.
Should you eat at Spanish mealtimes?
Answer will be: If you do dine at the correct Spanish mealtimes, you are much more likely to find yourself eating authentic Spanish food with lots of local colour, noise and atmosphere – which is always better than dining alone. How to Survive Spanish Mealtimes – Just When Should You Eat While In Spain?
What time does a restaurant close in Spain?
So they go to the nearest sit-down restaurant instead and enjoy a relaxed meal in the company of coworkers and friends. Restaurants in Spain open around 1:30 p.m. and close around 4:30 p.m. after the last patrons leave. The kitchen, however, closes a bit earlier, between 3:30 and 4 p.m.
What is the main meal of the day in Spain?
Salad, pasta, rice, beans or soup as starter, then fish, meat, poultry or eggs as main course. A typical meal also includes desert and coffee. Yes, lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain! HOW LONG? Spanish people like to seat down and eat slowly. That means lunch takes an average of 1 hour.
Does lunch count as food in Spain?
The answer is: Lunch is such a big deal in Spain that in many places it’s simply called la comida (literally “the meal”) as if it was the only meal that actually counted as food. Spanish lunchtime is food paradise. Most restaurants open for lunch around 1:30 p.m. and the crowds start pouring in around 2 p.m.
Should you eat at Spanish mealtimes?
Response: If you do dine at the correct Spanish mealtimes, you are much more likely to find yourself eating authentic Spanish food with lots of local colour, noise and atmosphere – which is always better than dining alone. How to Survive Spanish Mealtimes – Just When Should You Eat While In Spain?
What time do restaurants open in Spain?
As a response to this: Many restaurants and cafeterias don’t open until two in the afternoon but you might find a few open from 13:30. Lunch in Spain is often made up of a few courses such as an appetizer, main course and dessert all for one price under the menu del dia. Remember that it’s perfectly acceptable to take a siesta after the biggest meal of the day.