What are tapas? 3 secrets for eating tapas like a Spaniard!

What are tapas? How do you order them? Let's go to 4 of my favourite tapas bars in Madrid and I'll explain! Venga, let's go! 🥝

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I remember about two years ago when I was giving a tapas tour in Madrid for my company Devour Spain, and in the first bar one of my guests said to me, “Are we in a tapas bar now?” Boom! That’s when I realised that although tapas have gone global, people who are visiting Spain for the first (and second) time often have no clear idea of what it really means to go out for tapas in this country. Or actually what tapas actually are.

And I don’t blame them. It’s flat out confusing. So, I made this video to try and explain what – after four years in Spain – I think tapas are. And to give you my three hard-won tips for going out for tapas like a local. Watch, learn and drool!

WHO ARE WE? 🥝
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Hola, Spain lovers! We're James and Yoly. James is a New Zealander, and Yoly is from Spain. And we both live in Madrid. This channel is all about giving you a local insight into life in Spain, and helping you experience this country like a local when you come to visit (or live!). If that sounds like your kind of thing, bienvenido!

*This description contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you use them 🙏🏻

[spainrevealed]

Question of the day: What are the best tapas you've ever tried??? Answer in comments below 👇👇👇👇

[javierbelmar]

All right listen. This is probably the best explanation of what tapas are in the whole of the internet. Period. Dear tourist this is the truth and nothing more. Tapas is all about socializing, having a good time with your friends, colleagues, family or significant other. All that raciones, half raciones, ... it is difficult the explain. You did a good work here.

[lad]

You explained the thing even better a spanish born would. Una caña a tu salud!

[pablozubiaur]

You can hear several theories explaining the origins of tapas. My favourite one dates from the XIII century, when Ferdinand II king of Aragon was on a several day journey from one Spanish city to another. One night, the expedition stopped in an inn where they could eat and rest. The king ordered some wine or beer. The actual tavern was full of flies and these went into the king's drink. As he became angry, the innkeeper gave him some ham that allowed the king cover the cup avoiding the flies to go into his drink. The translation for the word "tapa" is lid or cover. The king was very pleased with the solution and the anecdote was quickly spread. Drinking with a "tapa" became trendy very soon.

[rhharrisomn]

Traveled to Barcelona in January for first time. Experienced the extended eye contact with strangers and LOVED it! A culture of openness and curiosity if refreshing.

[Pyralis]

Lol, I'm Spanish and know all of these things already, yet you explain them so brilliantly I cannot help but get hooked in your videos XD keep up the good work!

[alexeiromanov]

Best city in the world; MADRID! Best food in the world; SPAIN! Thanks for the tips. Salutations from, USA.

[itsme_rebeca]

Philosophical video haha I´m from the north of Spain and i´m going to give you some advices about pintxos. Pintxos are not usually given free. In basque country you can serve the pintxos yourself. Usually there´s 1 toothpick on every pintxo so at the end the waiter charges you by counting the toothpicks you have in your plate. If you go to Navarra or La Rioja you can´t serve pintxos yourself. You have to ask the waiter/waitress for them to give it to you and to warm it if necessary. There will be pintxos at your sight and also there are more "cooked at the moment" pintxos that can be adviced on the wall or in a paper. Check the walls for any other information (wine offer and prices). Enjoy!
PD: If you ever come to Pamplona you have to taste "fritos"

[absolutdani]

Que alguien le de una caña a este tipo. Sabe de lo que habla! You explained it much better than most spanyards could.

[hoosomio]

Jajaja que tío con más arte!!! Si señor soy espaÑol y no tengo tu nivel... Eres mi idolo !! Cañita pal que sabe!!! Ole!!

[sean.]

You ask for the bill and he brings you a beer? LMFAO😆

[TAZS]

ive only just stumbled on your videos and i LOVE your passion and energy for the spanish culture, its incredibly infectious, please keep up the good work!!

[CrossLoveJrock]

I love this. I am going to Barcelona for the first time in a month, so your videos are excellent for me to get to know local life and various tips and tricks. I am hungry just by watching this video. 😆

[EQP-vu]

Really amazing (even touching) your understanding of my country food culture, very unusual for a foreign person; congratulations.

[PepLevelUp]

Eres un grande. Tu de verdad entiendes nuestra forma de vida y de ser. Maquina

[leerobinson]

Absolutely spot on, my parents lived in spain for over ten years, they took us to tapas bars in garrucha area where you order a drink and you get a gratis snack.original spanish workers had wine at lunch so they put a piece of bread over the wine glass to stop the flies getting into the wine.Somebody thought to put something onto the the bread, olives,anchovies etc on top, thus tapas, my parents moved to Granada and tapas where small plates of food orderd separately from drink.

[EsterInWonderland]

This video is so amazing! Haha you are great! As a Spanish one I really had fun and understood everything you speak about when watching this video! Haha!

[Wisdom-courqge-serenity]

Thank you so much for such helpful info!! Me and my husband are planning to visit Barcelona this year! We both are trying to learn Spanish and also learn about the culture in Spain. Your YouTube presentation is fabulous! Thanks a lot!

[dustoff]

Terrific! My first tapas experience is this coming Sunday. I'll be in San Francisco, California, so I won't be on the "roller coaster" of multiple establishments, but this was a real eye-opener! Thanks!

[RiftenWhiterun]

Thx James! Very helpful for a first time visitor to Madrid.