Spain is known for its absolutely delicious and authentic cuisine, with tapas to die for and sangria that will keep the party going all night long. But what about those “scams” you might have heard about?

The good news: there really aren’t any scams!

Usually, it’s just a misunderstanding, or lack of communication, between a native Spanish speaker and a foreign tourist. So, if you’re worry about getting value for your money when eating out in Spain, don’t worry! Just keep the following in mind and you’ll be perfectly fine.

1. Avoid Restaurants without Menus

This might go without saying depending on where you live, but try to avoid going into any restaurants that don’t have an actual menu. The same goes for restaurants with menus that don’t list any prices. If you dine at these establishments, you’re inviting them to take advantage with an “anything goes” mentality. You want to know what you’re getting, and what you’re paying for, before you get the bill! So, always check for a menu, then check for prices, don’t forget to read any fine print and thoroughly review your bill before settling payment.

2. Look for the Menu del Dia

Menu del Dia is the “meal” of the day, and should always be on display at a reputable restaurant during lunch time on the weekdays. It offers special deals for patrons, so you can enjoy some amazing cuisine at more affordable prices! Since it changes daily, not every restaurant will have it written in English, which can complicate things for any visitors that don’t know the Spanish language. It takes work to translate, so it only makes sense that it won’t always be readily available in your native language, but feel free to ask the waiter if they have one before you order from the main menu!

3. Check What’s On the Menu del Dia

On the Menu del Dia you should always be able to find a first and second course, kind of like an appetizer and a main dish but with a Spanish twist! Most of the time it includes bread, a drink and a dessert, but don’t be too concerned if not every restaurant includes these. A note on this to keep your bill honest: some waiters might try to charge for bread (they shouldn’t, so before ordering anything try asking if it’s included in the price!). If you do happen to see a bread charge on your bill, question it, or just consider it their tip. But on that same note, tipping in Spain isn’t a common practice like it is in for example the United States, so feel free to save yourself some extra cash by skipping out on that.

4. Ask if It Costs More to Sit Outside

This may seem like a scam to tourists, but for the Spanish this is actually a really common practice! There’s a “suplemento,” or supplement, charge for sitting outside to cover the costs of the extra waiters to wait those tables. If you aren’t sure whether you’ll be paying more to have a seat outside, check the menu or ask before you sit down. It can be nice to sit outside and enjoy Spain’s temperate climate and beautiful scenery, especially on the sands of the beach or in the streets of the city, but if you want to avoid the fee it may be best to dine inside the restaurant.

5. Know Your Paella!

This one is the only true “scam” in this list, because some restaurants will try to pull one over on tourists that don’t know any better by serving yellow rice and calling it paella. To avoid getting scammed, start by looking for good, reputable establishments online or through word of mouth, and familiarize yourself with what a real paella should look, smell and taste like! Paella is cooked similar to risotto, and is made with short grain rice, sofrito and broth. It is not plain rice dyed yellow and mixed with a bunch of toppings. It’s a very big difference, and knowing that will help you spend money more wisely on true Spanish cuisine!

Spanish Cuisine is Worth the Investment!

As long as you stay on top of your dining game, you’ll be able to find plenty of authentic establishments offering a wide range of delicious Spanish meals. Just make sure you know what to look for, and what questions to ask when in doubt, and you’ll have a great experience that won’t break the bank unnecessarily!

**********************************************

CLICK HERE to book your luxury villa in SPAIN !