Meal Times in Spain
Spain’s mealtimes are quite unique—and often a source of frustration for many travelers. Typical Spanish meal times are:
- Breakfast: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Lunch: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
- Dinner: 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM
Almost all restaurants operate according to this schedule. Especially between lunch and dinner, most restaurants take a break, so it’s nearly impossible to find a place open around 6–7 PM, which is a common dinnertime.
This late mealtime schedule may have developed as a cultural adaptation to the hot southern European climate, where people avoid activity during the peak heat of the day. Another important factor is that Spain follows the same time zone as Germany and France, rather than the UK—even though it’s geographically closer to London. This change was imposed by Spain’s former dictator Franco. As a result, people in Spain adapted the clock to fit their habits, rather than adjusting their habits to fit the clock. So in reality, it’s not that Spaniards eat extremely late—it’s more about the official time being out of sync.
Smart Eating in Spain
If you want to eat smarter and more affordably while traveling in Spain, remembering local mealtimes is essential. Spanish locals eat according to these times, and many restaurants offer affordable set menus during those hours.
Breakfast: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This is typically a brunch period. If you go to a non-touristy, local restaurant during this time, you can often get a sandwich (bocadillo) + a drink (beer, wine, soft drink, or water) + coffee (espresso or café con leche) for about 6–8 euros.
Olives, pickles, and peanuts are often provided for free. If you time it right, you can enjoy a very budget-friendly breakfast.
Lunch: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Many restaurants offer a set lunch menu—known to have originated under Franco. It usually includes:
- Starter (Menu 1)
- Main dish (Menu 2)
- Dessert
- Drink
All of this typically costs 12–16 euros, offering excellent value for money. It’s strongly recommended to check whether a restaurant offers this “menú del día” before entering. Many dishes are available to choose from, and the quality is generally very good. If you look at Google ratings and menu photos beforehand, you’re likely to find a great spot.
Dinner: After 8:00 PM
There usually aren’t any special deals or set menus at dinner—you’ll pay full price. If you’re traveling on a budget, you can make do with bread, jamón, salad, and other items from a bakery or supermarket. Also, keep in mind that most restaurants don’t open before 8:00 PM, so plan accordingly.
Avoid Tourist Traps
Spain is a major tourist destination, and unfortunately, scams and overcharging are more common than you might expect. Always check Google Maps before entering a restaurant. Aim for places with at least 4.0–4.4 stars and read the reviews. Some bad restaurants charge foreigners more by giving them different menus with higher prices.
Avoid restaurants that aggressively try to bring in customers or are located right next to major tourist spots. Instead, choose places where locals eat.
A good strategy is to search for restaurants rated 4.4 or higher on Google, mark several options, and go to one of them—even if there’s a wait, it’s better than walking into a random place.
Some restaurants charge for bread—usually around 1 euro—so if you don’t plan to eat it, you can politely decline.
Tipping
Tipping is not a common custom in Spain. That said, if the service was excellent, it’s fine to leave a tip.
Wishing you all a wonderful trip to Spain!