In Spain, when eating lunch or dinner on your own, you should make an extra effort to ensure no pork or pork products are part of the meal by asking for meals "sin carne" (without meat) or "sin carne de cerdo" (without pork). Spanish dishes are notorious for having small pieces of ham or bacon in them, even in vegetable dishes, so it is necessary to be explicit when ordering food at a restaurant.

Some typical Spanish dishes include paella, a saffron-flavored rice dish containing a variety of meats and/or seafood and vegetables. Another dish worth trying is gazpacho, a refreshing cold soup made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bread crumbs, and garlic. It is an ideal appetizer in the summer time. The Spanish tortilla is like a quiche or thick omelette made with potatoes and eggs, and is a very good meal in itself.

Spain has a number of fast food establishments such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC and Bocata (like Subway in the U.S.) for the less adventurous or those desiring a break from Spanish food. In Madrid, Cordoba, and Granada, there are a number of Muslim restaurants offering shawarma, rice, and other Middle Eastern style dishes. In addition, there are many convenience stores offering sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, snacks (chips, cookies etc.) and beverages.

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