Download Teacher's Notes

Download Student's Worksheet

Tapas are very popular in Spain. They are a type of appetiser. There are many different tapas bars and restaurants all over Spain. Tapas provide a unique style or way of eating. Tapas chefs prepare small plates of tasty food. Diners pick and choose the food they want to eat, plate by plate. Tapas is all about eating and talking.

Tapas started in a part of Spain called Andalucia during the 19th century. When the farmers and labourers finished their work, they liked to visit a local café for a drink before going home. The cooks put bread over the customers’ drinks to stop flies and other insects from dropping in. The word “tapas” means “to cover”. The cooks started to put food like sausage and smoked meat on top of the bread.  This encouraged the customers to eat and stay longer, and spend more money.  

Today’s tapas bars and restaurants offer a lot of choice. Some chefs simply put out a bowl of olives or nuts. Others prepare very fine gourmet food. However, few Spanish people eat tapas as their main meal. Many Spaniards enjoy tapas as an appetiser instead.