9 Traditional Spanish Breakfast Foods To Eat Like A Local In Spain

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Craving a huge fry-up with bacon, fried eggs, hash browns, fried tomato, and the works? Well, you’re in the wrong country for that, folks. 

Like a lot of places in Europe, traditional Spanish breakfast foods aren’t the sort we’re used to eating in other Western countries. 

I always think this is due to lifestyle. For example, people wake up later in Spain, and lunch is the biggest and most important meal of the day. Lunch time isn’t midday either, but rather during siesta time (2 pm to 4 pm). This is because dinner is also much later, around 9 or 10 pm. You catch my drift? 

Therefore, breakfast isn’t the overly indulgent meal in Spain, but rather, quick and filling types of foods. These range from potato-heavy dishes to toasts. But the country does have its own version of eggs if you simply cannot live without them. 

With that, here are 9 traditional Spanish breakfast foods which locals eat every day in Spain. As a traveler to Spain, there’s no better way to get into Spanish lifestyle mode then to start your day the Spanish way.

1.  Tostada con Tomate (Toast with tomato) 

While the western world munches on the likes of peanut butter on toast for brekkie, the Spanish do things slightly differently: toast with tomato spread. And no, it’s not the bottled kind, but served fresh. The tomato is almost like a fresh puree, spread over bruschetta. For those not shy of the kitchen, recreate it at home by grating the tomato (which is what gives it this puree-type appearance). 

Tomatoes are one of Spain’s most popular ingredients. 

Regions around the country have their own variation. Some like to add jamón (Spanish cured ham) on top of tostada con tomate. Others add fresh green olives. 

Typically, olive oil is the base layer, but in some parts, like Andalusia, they favor lard instead.   

Yes, this is a breakfast meal, but in parts of Spain, like Barcelona, it’s also a popular snack to serve with sangria or spritz. 

2. Tortilla Española (Spanish omelette) 

The first time I ate a Spanish omelet was at the fresh morning market in Cadiz.

“Forget everything else for breakfast, you have to try Tortilla Española” – says my local Spanish guide.

If you ever hear someone tell you this isn’t one of the traditional Spanish breakfast foods, they’re fibbing. Every morning in Spain, we literally devour the tortilla Española! 

So, what is it? Firstly, it’s not like the French omelette, and it’s potato-heavy. Eggs go into the sauce, mixed with the starchy ingredient, along with onions and olive oil. It comes as a slice. Other variations include chorizo thrown into the mixture, or even jamón. 

Traveling on a budget? You can find an entire tortilla Española in the supermarkets for as little as €2. 

3. Bocadillos (Spanish breakfast sandwiches)

Many years ago, whilst backpacking through Spain, I lived on bocadillos for breakfast. Like any good street food in Europe, this is the Spaniard’s version of a classic breakfast sandwich, and one that many enjoy for easy traditional Spanish breakfast foods. 

The bread base is a baguette vibe (depending on your destination or even bakery, some swap the baguette for breads like ciabatta or another longer variety). It’s then stuffed with jamon or chorizo (sometimes both, sometimes only one), cheese, freshly sliced tomato, or egg. I’ve even seen bocadillos with a Spanish omelette inside…

For those with early airport runs, any airport cafe that’s open during the mornings sells bocadillos, which go down well swimmingly with a cortado. 

I know it may sound like just a standard baguette sandwich…But there’s something about Spanish jamon which elevates this one. It’s also a good filler option if you have a long day of exploring ahead!

4. Churros (The equivalent of a donut) 

I’ve tried and tested churros all over Spain. I don’t care what anyone says, but, in my opinion, the best churros are from Cadiz! Again, every city shapes them a little differently, so it depends on your preferences. Some stick closely to the classic, thicker sticks, while some places do churros as abstract swirls. 

Every morning, the local square in Cadiz fills with locals and tourists alike, all lapping up slow moments under the Spanish sunshine, dipping sugary, cinnamon-y churros into a cup of steaming hot chocolate. 

The combination of the two is out of this world, especially because churros are always fresh and hot first thing in the morning. Growing up, my mom would never let me have chocolate for breakfast (unless it was Easter morning), but as an adult making my own rules, this is an exception. I mean, Nutella for breakfast is a thing, right? Or a chocolate croissant…so, why not churros dipped in choccie? 

5. Huevos rotos (Broken eggs) 

I’m not the biggest egg-person. For most of the world (barring the vegans among us), eggs in the morning are a ritual, especially on weekends. For travelers wondering if any traditional Spanish breakfast foods are egg-heavy dishes, huevos rotos is the one you’ll want to order off a cafe menu. 

Translating to “broken eggs,” the dish is also known as ‘huevos estrellados.’ Can’t see it on a menu? Look for this option.

Growing up, my dad would actually make this dish for us for Sunday brekkie, but I never realized until traveling to Spain its Spanish origins. Some argue it hails from the Canary Islands (which is maybe how it ended up in our South African household), but any person from Spain will tell you it’s from La Mancha, Cuenca (about 30 minutes from Madrid). 

Diced potatoes/or French fries and onions are fried. Chorizo is added to the mix and further fried until potatoes are golden. A soft fried egg on top finishes the dish. Cutting into the egg, the yolk oozes into the potatoes, and it is oh-so-moreish! 

6. Ensaimada (Sweet Mallorca pastry)

While traveling between Barcelona and Majorca (and vice versa), I spotted a few stores in the Mallorca airport selling these circular-shaped pastries. No word of a lie, every third person that walked past me was carrying a precious box of them, which made me ever more curious to discover what the buzz was about these baked goods. 

Turns out they were ensaimada; sweet bread originating from Mallorca which is typically eaten around breakfast time. It all made sense… 

It’s another one of these traditional Spanish breakfast foods that goes down a treat with a cappuccino or hot chocolate. The pastry (made from flour) twists into a braid-like pattern, and once baked, finished with a dusting of icing sugar. 

Planning a trip to the Balearic Islands and can’t decide between Ibiza and Mallorca? Have a read through our Ibiza vs Mallorca guide to help you make the decision. 

7. Huevos revueltos (Scrambled eggs)

So, if huevos rotos are broken eggs, then what are huevos revueltos? Scrambled eggs! 

If you hadn’t guessed by now, “huevo” means egg in Spanish. 

There are no potatoes here, and it doesn’t mean it’s the same as huevos rotos, just with scrambled eggs instead of fried. It’s pretty much your standard version of scrambled eggs, just with a few extra yummies added to the egg mix, pre-cook. 

Usually, this is peppers, tomatoes, or mushrooms. Some restaurants add other vegetables, or also ham or chorizo. Another version I see of huevos rotos, which I recreate in my own kitchen, is huevos rotos with prawns (called ‘gambas’ in Spain). Prawns are totally a breakfast vibe (if you’re a seafood freak like me) and I often make prawn omelettes at home. 

8. Magdalenas (Lemony Spanish muffins)

Magdalenas are Spanish breakfast muffins and not to be confused with French madeleine cakes. But they are also lemony, similarly to the French equivalents. 

Olive oil is a Spanish household staple. These perfectly fluffy and soft muffins are baked using olive oil. When eating authentic magdalenas, an ever-so-slight taste of olive oil comes through, and it’s so delicious, balanced by the zest from the lemon and hints of sweetness. 

Muffins are a popular breakfast snack. These traditional Spanish breakfast foods are perfect if you’re in a hurry, on-the-go, have a flight to catch, or aren’t set on a massive breakfast. Hey, my appetite usually only peaks around mid-morning. 

Pick up a couple from any local bakery. You also find them sold in bags at local supermarkets, and some shop-bought versions fill the magdalenas with chocolate or berry swirls, even carrot cake versions. 

9. Café con leche (Breakfast coffee)  

For the longest time, I thought café con leche was a caramel-induced coffee. But my first time in Spain, I soon learnt that this is the classic Spanish coffee enjoyed at breakfast hour. 

It’s strange to think that certain coffee is drunk at certain hours. For us caffeine fiends growing up in places like England, Australia, the States, or South Africa, coffee (in any form) is enjoyed at whatever hour. But if you’ve visited Italy, you’ll know it’s a similar situation with cappuccinos — a strict breakfast drink! 

Local insights aside, what makes a café con leche? It’s basically half espresso, half steamed milk. Then, once the breakfast rush is over, the only coffee you’ll see the Spanish drinking with milk is a cortado (a shorter version of café con leche). 

It’s not uncommon for café con leche to arrive with a side of orange juice, especially when you’re adventuring to cities like Valencia. 

Make sure to keep this list close by (or memorize it) for your next trip to Spain. These are typical traditional Spanish breakfast foods which are common all over the country, from Ibiza to Seville. 

Speaking of romantic Seville, if you’re heading there anytime soon, here are the 9 best bars in Seville, from ones with rooftop views to places to enjoy flamenco. Can’t make up your mind as to where to travel to in Spain if it’s your first time in the country? Let my list of quintessential Spanish destinations for first-time visitors help you make the decision.  

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