The Spanish culture surrounding meals is completely different than that of the United States. Time with family & friends is much more important, and as a result, meals are generally much longer, normally including a sobre mesa - an after dinner conversation at the table. Lunch is the largest meal of the day & is eaten around 2:30, followed by a siesta. Dinner is smaller, but can vary in size depending on your family's preferences or even the day of the week and is eaten between 9 and 11 pm. Many people go out for tapas in the late afternoon or for dinner. Tapas are small portions of appetizer-like foods that you can order with drinks at nearly every Spanish bar.
Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your experience:
Eat lunch at home because it's the largest meal of the day, it's delicious, and it's a great way to get to know your host family.
Usually eat dinner at home because it's included, but you should go out for tapas before or for dinner at least once while in Spain.
Cien Montaditos - a great place for lunch if you don't have time to make it home after class and before activities on La Avenida Constitucion where you order 3 - 5 mini bocadillos (nice sandwiches).
Bocadillo place across the street from CLIC - delicious & addictive bocadillos for 3.50 euros, which are great for the break between classes.
Toro Toro - small tapas restaurant with outdoor seating located right near La Giralda.
Any terrace bar - A number of hotels have bars on the roof, which is a great place to sit out in the sun when the weather's nice, which it always is.
Rayas' Heladeria - BEST ICECREAM EVER - Ice cream in Spain is 100 times better than any ice cream in the States; you have to experience it on a cucuruchu (cone).
Also when you eat out in Spain:
- People don't leave big tips at restaurants. You can leave a few euros for good service but it is not the same as in the U.S.
-When you are ready to pay, ask for La Cuenta. Don't just sit and wait for the check because they won't bring it.
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