Dining Guide and Spanish Meal Times

Dining Guide – Discover everything you need to know about Spanish meal times and how to dine like a local in Spain.

Have you ever wondered why, when you’re starving, restaurants in Spain are closed? This Dining Guide will help you understand Spanish meal times and how dining customs differ here. Spain often breaks every dining rule you know – for example, cafes are ideal for breakfast but always serve beer, while bars are perfect places to enjoy a full meal.

Stepping into the right place at the right time makes all the difference. Use this Dining Guide to avoid awkward experiences and dine like a seasoned local.

🥐 Dining Guide Spanish Meal Times – When Do Locals Eat?

⏰ Desayuno (Breakfast): 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
⏰ Almuerzo (Mid-morning snack): 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
⏰ La Comida (Lunch): 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
⏰ Merienda (Afternoon snack): 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
⏰ Tapas Hour (La hora del aperitivo): 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
⏰ La Cena (Dinner): 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

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🍷 Spanish Dining Venues

1. Bar

✅ What is it?
In Spain, a bar is much more than just a drinking spot. It’s an informal restaurant serving everything from breakfast to tapas and dinner.

✅ Opening times:
Usually 7/8 a.m. – midnight (some close between 5 – 8:30 p.m.)

✅ What to order:

• Breakfast: Toast with tomato and olive oil, café con leche

• Lunch: Menú del Día (set menu) ✔️ “Read our guide to Spanish Menú del Día here.

• Evening: Tapas or raciones (shared plates)

• Drinks: Beer, wine, vermouth, soft drinks

2. Taberna

✅ What is it?
A taberna is a cosy, traditional Spanish bar often serving classic regional dishes.

✅ When to go:
Best for dinner or weekend pre-lunch drinks around 1 p.m.

✅ What to order:
Traditional dishes like tortilla española, croquetas, and local tapas.

3. Restaurante

✅ What is it?
A restaurante is a formal dining place, from casual lunches to Michelin-starred experiences.

✅ Opening times:
Lunch: 1:30 – 4 p.m.
Dinner: 9 p.m. – midnight

✅ What to order:

• Lunch: Menú del Día or a la carte

• Dinner: A la carte or tasting menus

• Plates can be raciones (full), media raciones (half), or tapas (small).

Spanish Restaurant Etiquette -  Do I sit? Or should I stand? Shall I wave? Or could I shout? And am I supposed to leave a tip?

4. Cafetería (Café)

✅ What is it?
A cafetería is between a coffeehouse and a bar. Many are bar-cafeterías, open all day with indoor and outdoor seating. See our guide to Spanish Coffee here.

✅ Best times:
Morning breakfast or merienda (5 – 7 p.m.) for coffee and pastries.

✅ What to order:
Croissants, muffins, doughnuts, churros with hot chocolate, mini-sandwiches, tostadas, fresh orange juice, café con leche.

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Dinning Guide 

5. Bar de Copas (Cocktail Bar)

✅ What is it?
A bar de copas is a cocktail bar, opening late and focusing on drinks, not food.

✅ When to go:
After 10 p.m., usually busy from midnight to 3 a.m.

✅ What to order:
Cocktails and mixed drinks – order by brand (e.g. “Beefeater and tonic”).

🥘 Top Tips for Dining in Spain

⭐ Don’t panic if you see closed kitchens at noon – lunch is later here.
⭐ Try the Menú del Día for the best value meal.
⭐ Bars are perfect for a quick breakfast, tapas lunch, or evening drinks.
⭐ Cafeterías are your best friend for merienda and people-watching.

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💬 Share Your Experiences

Have you tried dining like a local in Spain? What’s your favourite Spanish bar, taberna, or café? Comment below and tell us!