Top 8 Spanish Breakfast Foods: What to Eat for Breakfast in Spain

Spanish breakfast foods can be tricky to get the hang of, but once you know where to go and what to order, you're guaranteed the perfect start to your day!

I have a confession to make: I often skip breakfast. Well, actually, I skip the "first breakfast." Let me explain...

It's not that I don't like breakfast foods, but I don't usually get hungry for a few hours after waking up. So when I do eat breakfast, it's often quite late (around 10 a.m.), which here in Spain is called "second breakfast." This works quite well since lunch is around 3 p.m.!

Spanish mealtimes can be a bit confusing at first, but once you get used to them, you're in for a variety of delicious meals throughout the day (including two breakfasts!).

So what are my favorite Spanish breakfast foods? It's hard to narrow them down, but here are my top 8 breakfasts in Spain—and where to find them!

My 8 Favorite Spanish Breakfast Foods (& Drinks)

These are the Spanish breakfast foods that I never get tired of. They can be combined in infinite ways, from a savory sandwich with freshly squeezed orange juice to a sugary pastry with café con leche. Whatever you wake up craving, there's a Spanish breakfast for you.

1. Tostada con Tomate, Aceite, y Jamón

One of the most traditional Spanish breakfast foods is a tostada: a piece of toasted bread. It's always served at least two ways, topped with either butter and jam (con mantequilla y mermelada) or olive oil and tomato (con tomate y aceite).

There are other regional variations too, such as the manteca colorá (colored lard) in Andalusia—perfect if you want something that will really stick to your ribs!

The best breakfast in Spain for me (something I could eat every day!) achieves the perfect balance: toasted bread (I prefer a flatbread called a mollete), extra virgin olive oil, crushed tomato, and Iberian ham. This tostada will set you up for a successful day. 

2. Chocolate con Churros, Soletillas, or Melindros

Did you know that churros are actually a Spanish breakfast food (not a dessert)? This indulgent treat is often paired with super thick, sweet hot chocolate. And although Spain may be (rightfully) famous for its hot chocolate, there honestly aren't too many places that do it well.

Too often it's thickened with loads of cornstarch and made with low-quality chocolate powder. But this isn't the case at my two favorite places for hot chocolate in Spain: Confitería El Riojano in Madrid and Granja M. Viader in Barcelona.

Interestingly, I wouldn't pair the chocolate with churros at either place. Instead, I'd opt for the ladyfinger cookies called soletillas in Madrid and melindros in Barcelona.

For churros, I love the ones found in Cadiz, which are thin and crispy, or Madrid's chewy porras—churros' thicker cousin. 

3. Pincho de Tortilla

Very popular in Madrid and most of northern Spain, a heaping slice of Spanish potato omelet (a pincho de tortilla) is the best way to have a second breakfast.

I accompany my tortilla with a strong coffee, but you'll see plenty of people opting for a mid-morning caña (a small draft beer). I love the pincho de tortilla at Casa Dani in Madrid (which has been named the best tortilla in the city!). 

4. Croissant de Almendras

You can't find a good almond croissant (or a good croissant in general) everywhere in Spain, as many use lard instead of butter and are industrially made. But there are few gems—especially in Barcelona.

When visiting Barcelona you must try the croissants de almendras (almond croissants) at Pastelería Hofmann and Baluard. And if you're in Madrid don't worry; La Duquesita will not disappoint.

More of a chocolate croissant lover? Try the napoletana de chocolate at Madrid's La Mallorquina for something similar (and just as delicious). 

5. Huevos Rotos

Okay—this is cheating a bit.

Huevos rotos is a classic dish, but it's among the many Spanish egg dishes that aren't typically eaten for breakfast. Unless you come over to my house on the weekend!

I think huevos rotos (sunny side up fried eggs served over potatoes and "broken" up before eating) are the perfect brunch food. I love making them with a bit of chorizo, but you could also use jamón or sautéed vegetables.

6. Sandwiches

Every region of Spain has its own version of the humble sandwich, and with good reason; they're the perfect quick and delicious Spanish breakfast food.

In Madrid, you'll find small sandwiches called pulgas or pulgitas at most cafés and bars for breakfast. In Barcelona, you'll order an entrepan—Catalan for "sandwich."

There's also the famous bikini in Catalonia, a sort of grilled ham and cheese on white sandwich bread. And in Andalusia, you may find montaditos (mini sandwiches) on offer.

So what do we put inside the sandwiches? Anything from Iberian ham and olive oil to freshly made tortilla or even tuna salad. My all-time favorite is pringá in Seville, a mix of the leftover meats from a local stew that's full of flavor.

See Also: 8 Must-Try Spanish Sandwiches

7. Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

The orange juice in Spain is naturally sweet and delicious. Incredibly high-quality oranges can be found all year round, but the true season is winter—just in time for the cold weather, when a hearty dose of vitamin C is the perfect way to start the day!

In most of Spain, you can add on a small glass of zumo de naranja for as little as €1 when ordering breakfast. When in doubt, just do it! 

8. Café con Leche

Remember when I said I don't really do "first breakfast"? Well, I most definitely do coffee!

While I generally enjoy café americano these days (espresso with extra hot water), café con leche is perhaps the best-known coffee in Spain. Half steamed milk and half strong espresso, it's the perfect drink to accompany the best Spanish breakfast foods. 

Wondering how to order coffee in Spain? Check out this video!

Regional Spanish Breakfast Foods to Try

There are many more Spanish breakfast foods to discover, some of which are quite regional.

• Don't miss a homemade bizcocho (cake) in Galicia, made with local butter.
• When in Andalusia, you must try a tostada with manteca (lard) or with extra virgin olive oil and honey.
• In the Basque Country, try a pintxo de tortilla with green pepper.
• If you're visiting Mallorca, make sure to try an ensaimada: a delicious spiral-shaped pastry made with lard.

Spanish Breakfast Foods FAQs

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