Where to Get the Best Tapas in Zaragoza Spain (From a Local)
Updated: 13 hours ago
I've owned a home in the historic center of Zaragoza since 2021, and I can't believe I'm only just now sitting down to tell the world my little secret...Zaragoza is a hidden treasure trove of authentic Spanish tapas, historical buildings from the Moors to the Romans, and a bustling alley of tapas that even San Sebastian can't top. Discover the secret of street food in Zaragoza, from the famous El Tubo tapas alley to the charming pedestrian streets of Don Jaime and Calle Alfonso.
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First, I'm going to skip the introduction to Zaragoza, because if you're already reading about what to eat there, then you know of its famous Pilar towering over the historic central square, you're aware that the current governmental seat of Aragon is housed at the magnificent Aljaferia palace, and you've probably read a thing or two about my first hand knowledge on the city in International Living Magazine.
So, let's get down to business. What to eat, where to eat, and how to eat your tapas like a Spaniard! Vamos!
How Tapas in Zaragoza Work
It's important to understand the Spanish way of going out for tapas. Yes, mostly everyone is aware that tapas are small plates, but especially in Zaragoza, there is a "way" to do a tapas night, and things to consider.
Time of Day
Tapas in Zaragoza are served from 1-4pm and from 8pm-Midnight (typically, some are open later). This allows for a casual boozy-snacky lunch or an after work bite and a drink.
Meal time in Zaragoza follows these same hours, peppering in morning almuerzo and so on. All they do is snack and eat, really!
Lunch time is the big meal, so it is typical to do your tapas roaming in the evening.
Check out my article on International Living for more on mealtimes.
Ordering and Paying
You know in the movies when the protagonist enters a bar, puts up two fingers and says, "Two Beers"? It's like that in Spain. You don't say, "two Coronas" or specify a brand, you just ask for beer or wine.
So, in some places you can approach a table and get service, but others you order from the bar. Ask for your non-branded drink of choice and specify the size, if you are ordering a beer.
This is important! In El Tubo, the famous tapas alley in Zaragoza, a caña is the smaller beer you get with your food order. There's also a Copa, which is larger.
Traditionally you'll order a caña and a montadito (food on bread) or tapa for a fixed cost of only a euro or two.
If you are ordering wine, ask simply for vino blanco (white wine) or vino tinto (red wine).
Pay as you go, unless they tell you otherwise.
If you want to be like a Spaniard, choose someone to be the captain of the evening. That person collects funds from everyone at the top of the night and pays the bills at each place. The remaining funds are divided up evenly at the night's end.
This is a pretty fair and common way to track things throughout the evening, since for the most part all dishes are shared and everyone drinks at the same pace - one drink for one establishment, or, one drink per one shared plate.
Where to Find the Best Tapas in Zaragoza
Choosing Your Locations
In Zaragoza, there are several hubs for tapas, each offering a different type of experience.
Plaza Santa Marta
Where I live, this central spot is often challenged against El Tubo as having the best tapas in Zaragoza. Known especially to locals, there are several residential alleys dotted with tapas bars all leading to a small central plaza full of outside seating. In the plaza you'll find a quieter, slower pace for tapas versus the popular El Tubo alley.
You'll find numerous places opening out onto the plaza offering mostly tapas, but some offer full service meals as well.
El Tubo Zaragoza
The spot listed on every 18-35 year old's Contiki itinerary, the bucket list must for all bussed in visitors seeing Zaragoza for the day, and the absolute starting point to showing my friends what Spain is all about - El Tubo.
The famous tapas alley is fairly compact, so it's easy to find and navigate. It's not so small, however, that you could pull off a complete stop-by-stop pub crawl, so you have to be choosy about where you end up.
El Tubo is the lively area for standing room only type of nights. Expect musicians on occasion in the street, boisterous people and unfortunately, a good bit of smokers in the outside corridor. Don't let that deter you though!
Other Places for Tapas in Zaragoza
Along Don Jaime and throughout side streets between the pedestrian zones of Calle Alfonso and Don Jaime you can find one-off establishments.
Let's dive into what to get where next.
Must-Try Tapas Dishes in Zaragoza (And Where to Get the Best)
Beside location and vibe you are also choosing based on the food offered.
Each tapas bar offers different items that they are known for. You may find only seafood, or only cheese. This makes your stroll to different spots varied and enjoyable to all palates.
Keep in mind that tapas are light bites or shareable plates. Typically a montadito is served alongside a drink and you can order several at a time. Montadito are essentially baguette slices with some kind of something on top. It could be anchovies or peppers, or perhaps a tuna spread. Here's some other items to seek out and try.
Migas
A Zaragoza specialty, it's literally bread crumbs with jamon bits and grapes. A must try.
Get the best Migas in Zaragoza at: El Fuelle
Honorable mention: La Migueria
Huevos Rotos
The classic Spanish dish is comprised of potatoes, jamon and a fried egg. Mix it all together and nosh!
Get the best Huevos Rotos in Zaragoza at: La Clandestina
Zamburiñas
Beautiful scallops cooked up in lemon butter. Typically served in the shell at seafood joints.
Get the best zamburiñas in Zaragoza at: El Hormiguero de Azul
Croquetas
Bechamel filled fried balls of amazingness. Get them in several styles like cheese filled, meat filled, etc.
Get the best croquettes in Zaragoza at: Taberna Doña Casta
Honorable mention: IKEA Zaragoza (I wish I was kidding, but these are incredible)
Jamon Serrano
Obviously. You can't go wrong anywhere. Here, just start drooling:
Papas Bravas
Total drunk food, really, these are fried potato wedges drenched in a red sauce with aioli.
Almejas
Clams (in shell) drenched in garlic butter.
Get the best almejas in Zaragoza at: Belanche
Ostiones
Oysters! Get them raw with a mingonette (shallot and vinegar) sauce.
Get the best oysters in Zaragoza at: Casa Ostra
Pickled Things and Olives
Get the best at : Bodegas Almau
Sobreasada
I like to describe this as a meat spread that tastes like pizza. It's a little spicy and absolutely delicious on bread.
Get the best sobreasada at: Casa Domino
Mejillones
Mussels, served typically open shelled. Here it's served in a beer sauce.
Get the best at: Hormiguero de Azul
Pulpo a La Plancha
Sliced thin bits of octopus topped with oil and paprika. They're pretty good everywhere!
Torreznos
Think of it like a thick slab of crunchy bacon. You need this in your life.
Alcachofas con Foie
Fried (lightly) artichokes in a creamy Foie sauce.
Get the best at: La Flor de Lis
Percebes
These claw like creatures from the sea are actually barnacles, and they are one of the delicacies of Spain.
Honestly before I tried these myself I felt that people who enjoyed these were playing at some kind of gimmick, but the juicy barnacles are absolutely delicious and a must try.
Get past the dinosaur talon disguise, and these reptilian looking treats are quite enjoyable.
Simply twist in the middle and pull to reveal a meaty clam strip like morsel, and suck it out with a bite.
These can often only be found seasonally, so be sure to grab them when you see them on the menu.
Get the best at: Belanche
Drinks to Order
Lastly, to fit in, I recommend drinking and ordering one of these drinks:
Una Caña (small beer)
Vino blanco/tinto
Tinto de Verano (a summer wine spritzer)
Cerveza con limon (a shandy)
Vermut (vermouth, sweet)
Gin Tonic (gin and tonic)
Want to Take a Tour with a Local Guide?
Try these locally offered tours of markets and tapas bars across the city:
For some other great Tapas Spots in Zaragoza:
Find the secret tapas tables inside the supermarket at El Corte Ingles' Club Del Gourmet - get two glasses of cava and truffled fuet to share.
Go for riverfront drinks and bar snacks like nachos at Le Pastis across the bridge.
Go to El Champi. They serve only one thing - Champi! Mushrooms are stacked high with garlic shrimp.
Seek out Los Victorinos for the vintage bullfighter decor.
Grab some quick bites at the food stalls in El Mercado Central.
Try the flor de queso (cheese flowers) and courtyard seating at Montal.
Caracoles, I.e. snails, are a huge hit across the city - including El Fuelle. Get them roasted up over a grill with lots of garlic.
Go to El Tablon for crazy cheap things like 1 euro wine by the glass, a huge meat and cheese plate, and fried seafood platter.
And lastly, don't forget about pimientos de padron, little green peppers grilled up to perfection!
Add aioli to everything and you are now officially indoctrinated to the Zaragoza tapas scene.
Salud!
