Visiting Spain as a Vegetarian Traveller – My experiences
As regular readers may know, last year we drove from the UK to Portugal for our holiday. The road trip was such fun and something we enjoyed so much, we are doing it again this year. That said, we are driving to Mallorca this year. One thing that I hadn’t realised, though, was the difficulties of being vegetarian on our trip. Here I want to share with you some of my experiences visiting Spain as a vegetarian in the hopes of helping you if you are considering a trip to Spain.
Spain is known for its rich food culture, but meatless options? Those can be surprisingly hard to find, especially if you head up north or wander into more remote areas.
Challenges in Rural and Northern Spain
First things first, Spain’s cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition, so if you are visiting Spain as a vegetarian, it is important you know this. Meat, fish, and seafood are staples in most regional dishes, and vegetarianism isn’t as common or understood in many areas. Venture into northern or rural Spain, and you might find yourself explaining your dietary choices, a lot. And even after all that, your options might be slim.
Many small towns have restaurants that serve hearty, rustic dishes featuring ingredients like chorizo, jamón (ham), and seafood. Asking for a meal without these can sometimes be met with a surprised look, or even a puzzled, “¿No comes carne?” (“You don’t eat meat?”). The concept of vegetarianism can feel exotic, if not downright baffling, outside of the larger cities.
Even some larger cities have this issue. The hotel we stayed at in Valladolid had nothing vegetarian available at all in their restaurant and offered me a bowl of plain salad (for 30 Euros!). It was late, and we had driven all the way from Poitiers in France that day, so we ended up at a Burger King, where we found something.
But don’t lose hope! Vegetarian-friendly items do exist. Tortilla española (a thick potato and onion omelette) is a safe and satisfying go-to. Pair it with simple tapas like pan con tomate (bread with tomato) or a salad (though double-check the dressing, as anchovies can sneak in). Keep your expectations flexible, and you’ll get by, just maybe not with a Michelin-starred experience.
Service stations, as we were driving across Spain, had very minimal choices, but I managed to get by with cheese sandwiches. They only seemed to do Manchego and other similar cheeses, though, so if you don’t like that, you might be quite stuck visiting Spain as a vegetarian, so pack snacks!
Madrid: A Step Up (But Don’t Pack Away Your Snacks Just Yet)
Larger cities like Madrid are more international and, therefore, more accommodating to different diets, even if there’s still room for improvement.
You’ll find vegetarian dishes at a wider variety of restaurants, and a handful of plant-based spots are thriving in trendy areas like Malasaña or Lavapiés. However, mainstream dining still lags behind. You might come across menus where even veggie-heavy dishes are laced with meat (hello, hidden jamón). The best choices seem to be Italian restaurants with pizza and pasta dishes!
Fast food doesn’t fare much better. During my visit to a McDonald’s in Madrid, the only vegetarian option available was potato wedges. That was it, I’m not joking. No veggie burgers, no salads, nada. Even in a globalised chain, this lack of options reflects just how ingrained meat and seafood are in the Spanish diet. That said, they did offer beer as a drink choice with the meals, which was fun! So, visiting Spain as a vegetarian, even at McDonald’s, was different, but beer made it a bit better!
Culture Meets Cuisine
To understand why vegetarianism hasn’t yet taken hold across Spain, you need to look at the culture. Food in Spain is about tradition, pride, and family. Many recipes are handed down as sacred heirlooms, and they nearly always feature animal protein. It’s not intentional exclusion; it’s just the way things have been for generations.
That said, change is happening. Younger Spaniards and international influences are shifting attitudes, particularly in cities. Plant-based and health-conscious dining are increasing, even if progress is slow. So maybe in a few years, visiting Spain as a vegetarian will be easier, who knows!
Helpful Spanish Phrases for Vegetarians
To make your life easier while travelling and visiting Spain as a vegetarian, it’s helpful to arm yourself with a few key phrases. Here’s your cheat sheet:
- “¿Tiene opciones vegetarianas?” – “Do you have vegetarian options?”
- “Soy vegetariano/a.” – “I am vegetarian.” (Use vegetariana if you’re female, vegetariano if male.)
- “Sin carne ni pescado, por favor.” – “No meat or fish, please.”
- “¿Esto lleva carne/pescado?” – “Does this have meat/fish in it?”
- “¿Puede preparar esto sin carne?” – “Can you prepare this without meat?”
These phrases can help you clear up any confusion and ensure your meal is suitable. Remember, Spaniards are generally warm and accommodating, so you’ll likely find that restaurant staff make an effort to help you once they understand what you need.
Would I recommend it?
Visiting Spain as a vegetarian is definitely an adventure. You’ll face challenges, especially in Northern areas. Just remember to plan ahead, be flexible, and, when in doubt, carry snacks! You’ll thank yourself when the only option in the middle of nowhere is a plate of fries.
This year we will be staying in Barcelona as part of our travels, but I believe that it is much more like the Balearics and so tourist-friendly that there is enough choice, but I will let you know!
Have you ever considered visiting Spain as a vegetarian? Has this made you think twice? Let me know in the comments below.
