By Cristina Reina. This guide to eating vegan in Spain contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Are you looking for delicious Spanish vegan dishes to try?
Then you’re in the right place!
As a Spaniard who loves plant-based eating, I know the vegan food scene very well.
And while Spain isn’t the most well-known country for vegan food, exploring this beautiful country while vegan is completely possible—and tasty too.
This comprehensive guide covers whether Spain is vegan-friendly, the best vegan recipes from Spain, where to get these delicious vegan dishes, and hotels that cater to vegans. Make sure to bring your appetite!
Is Spain Vegan-Friendly?
The short answer is yes, but vegan Spanish food options vary from city to city.
Spain isn’t exactly known for its plant-based cuisine. Typically, the first foods that come to mind are Iberian ham (Jamón Ibérico), manchego cheese, paella, chorizo, and croquettes.
That being said, the food scene has changed a bit in the last few years. Spaniards—especially those in the food industry—are becoming more conscious and offering vegan-friendly products and dishes.
As a Spaniard myself, I can say you won’t find many Spanish vegan food options in traditional tapas bars.
Instead, you’re more likely to have success in newer restaurants opened within the last few years. In these establishments, vegetarian options tend to be more plentiful and you can even find some vegan dishes or dishes that can be adjusted to be made vegan.
If you don’t feel confident speaking Spanish or don’t want to do much research into where to eat as a vegan in your destination, booking an apartment with a kitchenette is a good option. You will find vegan food, including tofu and burgers, in most major supermarkets.
Easy Spanish Vegan Dishes
Many Spanish dishes contain meat, fish, or dairy, but some are naturally vegan or can easily be adapted for vegans.
To help you enjoy a plant-based trip to Spain, here are some of the most delicious vegan recipes.
For clarity, I have broken up the list into different sections so it is easier to find the type of Spanish vegan dish you are looking for; however, note that some of these dishes fall into multiple sections.
For example, you can have espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with garbanzo beans) as a tapa or main course, depending on the quantity.
Spanish Vegan Appetizers
1. Tomate Aliñado
You can never go wrong with ordering tomate aliñado in any restaurant. It is probably the easiest vegan recipe from Spain, consisting of tomatoes, olive oil, and salt—and sometimes garlic and herbs for added flavor.
Since it is such a simple dish, using high-quality ingredients is extremely important.
Pro tip: I highly recommend having it with a few bread slices to dip in the olive oil and tomato juices. Although most types of bread served in bars are vegan, double-check with your server.
2. Ensalada de Pimientos
Another delicious vegan salad you will love is ensalada de pimientos, or roasted red peppers mixed with onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and vinegar. It is refreshing and goes perfectly as an appetizer or side dish.
3. Setas al Ajillo
If you love mushrooms, you must try setas al ajillo—an easy Spanish vegan dish made with mushrooms and garlic. The mushrooms are sauteed with garlic and olive oil. It is best served with parsley for extra freshness.
Spanish Vegan Tapas & Side Dishes
4. Berenjenas con Miel
One of the best vegan Spanish tapas recipes is berenjenas con miel. This tapa consists of fried sliced eggplant drizzled with sugar cane honey, which is suitable for vegans as no bees are involved in its production.
The crispiness of the eggplant and the sweet flavor of the honey are the perfect combination.
5. Pimientos de Padrón
Padron peppers are native peppers to the northwest region of Spain. For pimientos de padrón, the peppers are simply fried in olive oil and seasoned with sea salt.
They go really well with a glass of wine, like a verdejo from the Rueda wine region in Central Spain.
6. Papas Arrugadas
Papas arrugadas is one of the Canary Islands’ most famous dishes. It can be enjoyed as a tapa or side dish. The recipe consists of three main ingredients: water, potatoes and salt.
The locally grown potatoes are boiled with salt until they wrinkle, which is why the dish name means “wrinkled potatoes.”
They are always accompanied by mojo rojo and mojo verde, two spicy sauces mainly made with herbs and spices.
7. Escalivada
Escalivada is one of the simple Spanish vegan dishes from the Catalonia region. It is made with roasted vegetables: eggplant, red peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
Once roasted, they are peeled, assembled on a plate, and seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and salt for a delicious meat-free tapa.
Spanish Vegan Dishes
8. Pisto Manchego
It can be said that pisto manchego is the Spanish version of the traditional French ratatouille. It is made with eggplant, courgette, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and olive oil.
My family also adds potatoes to make it more filling. Many people also add a fried egg on top, so double-check with the waiter about this.
The best way to eat pisto is with a few slices of crusty rustic bread to dip in the tomato sauce.
9. Espinacas con Garbanzos
One of the best Spanish vegan dishes is espinacas con garbanzos, an Andalusian traditional recipe packed with flavor that is essentially chickpea with spinach stew. Not only is it delicious, but it is also simple to make.
This dish incorporates chickpeas, spinach, bread, garlic, and spices like cumin and coriander. Many bars serve it as a tapa, but you can also have it as a main dish adding more quantity as it is filling.
Besides my grandma’s secret recipe, the best espinacas con garbanzos I have had was at Taberna La Niña del Pisto, one of the best places to visit in Marbella!
10. Gazpacho
Gazpacho is the most well-known vegetarian and vegan recipe in Spain. This cold tomato soup is perfect for cooling down in the summer months when it is scorching in most Spanish cities, but there is no reason not to enjoy this soup any other time of the year.
Tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onions, garlic, bread, olive oil, and water are the ingredients for this soup.
It is a very healthy dish that you can have as a starter or a main dish if you want something light.
Although this is the traditional recipe, there are many other versions of gazpacho—including gazpacho verde, which is made with melon and is also vegan.
11. Ajoblanco
Similarly to gazpacho, ajoblanco is a cold soup typical of Andalusia, more specifically of Malaga and Granada.
As its name suggests, this soup’s main ingredient is garlic (ajo in Spanish), but it also contains almonds and bread. It is refreshing and makes it a fantastic appetizer.
The best way to enjoy ajoblanco is by garnishing it with green grapes and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. In my opinion, it’s one of the best vegan Spanish recipes!
12. Paella de Verduras
Paella is one of the reasons Spanish cuisine is famous. Many people believe it is a national dish, but it actually originated in the beautiful city of Valencia.
Traditional paella is made with meat, but many variations of paella and paella-style rice dishes exist.
The main ingredient is rice, specifically arroz bomba, a type of rice perfect for paella. The paella can then be made with meat, seafood, or vegetables—the latter of which is getting easier to find throughout Spain.
Pro tip: the best way to enjoy paella is to eat it from the pan—which is actually called “paella” although many confuse it with paellera—and squeeze a lemon for extra flavor.
Vegan Spanish Desserts
You might wonder, what about traditional vegan Spanish desserts? Unfortunately, not many desserts or cakes are vegan, though a few are:
13. Churros
Are churros vegan? Yes, they are made of very few, simple ingredients: water, flour, and salt. Once the dough is ready, the churros are fried in olive oil.
The traditional way to eat churros is by dipping them in hot chocolate; however, Spanish hot chocolate isn’t vegan as it contains milk.
Because of this, you should ask for an alternative type of milk, which some places still don’t have, or simply sprinkle some sugar on your churros.
Churros are often seen as dessert in many countries; nevertheless, if you come to Spain, you will never see churros on the dessert menu.
We Spaniards usually have churros for breakfast or what we call merienda—a meal between 5 PM and 7 PM, when we have something sweet or a sandwich with a hot drink, juice, or milkshake.
However, if you aren’t strict about following a vegan diet or are vegetarian, you will find many more dessert and cake options, such as:
14. Tarta de Santiago
This delicious cake, typical of Galicia, is vegetarian and gluten-free friendly. It is made with ground almonds, sugar, eggs, lemon, butter, and cinnamon and topped with icing sugar. It is spongy and so flavourful.
To make it vegan, you can substitute eggs for aquafaba, which translates to the water from a tin of beans. Consider also adding flour for a firm consistency.
Pro tip: this cake pairs perfectly with a small serving of sweet wine!
15. Natillas
A classic Spanish dessert is natillas, or Spanish custard. The main ingredients for this creamy dessert are eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, and it is often topped with a rich biscuit. I like adding a bit of cornflour to thicken the custard, but some people prefer it runnier.
To make this Spanish dessert vegan, use soy milk instead of regular milk.
Vegan Restaurants In Spain
Wondering where you can get the best Spanish vegan meals? These are some of the best vegan restaurants in Spain:
Superchulo
Address: Calle de Fuencarral, 74, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Superchulo is one of the most searched vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants in Madrid. Located in one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods, this eatery offers colorful and delicious dishes that range from pink pasta to pizza and hearty burgers (which can be gluten-free too!) If you have a sweet tooth, you must try their vegan ice cream and brownie.
Veggie Garden
Address: Carrer dels Àngels, 3, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
If you are looking for the best Spanish veggie dishes, you can’t go wrong with Veggie Garden. This vegan chain restaurant in Barcelona and Madrid offers all sorts of flavorful food. Whether you fancy tapas, burgers, or healthy salads, it’s a great place to enjoy delicious vegan food in Spain.
Restaurante Copenhagen
Address: Carrer del Literat Azorín, 8, L’Eixample, 46006 València, Valencia, Spain
This Scandinavian-style restaurant serves amazing vegan and vegetarian dishes near Valencia’s city center. They cook with organic and seasonal ingredients making their menu healthy and fresh. Their croquetas and tasting menu are definitely worth trying.
MIMO Vegan
Address: Avenida de Manuel Agustín Heredia, 20, Distrito Centro, 29001 Málaga, Spain
Traveling to Malaga? One of the best vegan restaurants near the Malaga historic center is MIMO, which serves plant-based dishes like jacket potato with chili jackfruit, pad thai, and plant-based burgers. All of their dishes are made with local and organic produce.
They also serve the best vegan chocolate brownie in the city, so it’s definitely worth adding it to your Malaga itinerary.
Vegan Rock
Address: C. Amor de Dios, 38, Casco Antiguo, 41002 Sevilla, Spain
Vegan Rock is worth trying if you want to try the vegan version of typical dishes from Seville and Andalusia in general. You can taste dishes like vegan chorizo sandwiches and Spanish omelets.
Vegan Hotels In Spain
Hotel Margot House
Address: Pg. de Gràcia, 46, L’Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
This 3-star boutique hotel is in the heart of Barcelona. The rooms are beautifully decorated in a simple but modern style, and the hotel offers a delicious breakfast with fresh and sustainable ingredients that can be adapted for vegans.
Ecocirer Guest House
Address: Carrer de Reial, 15, 07100 Sóller, Illes Balears, Spain
If you are looking for a relaxing stay away from the hustle and bustle of big cities like Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville, Ecocirer in the beautiful town of Soller in Mallorca is perfect.
The guest house is calm, simple, and beautiful, and since it is an independently owned hotel, you will feel welcome from the moment you step in.
Also, the mountain views and their daily delivered breakfast, which can be vegan, are highlights of this guest house.
Barceló Imagine
Address: C. de Agustín de Foxá, 32, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid, Spain
This 5-star hotel in Madrid is modern, has good transport connections, and offers great facilities, including a pool perfect for the summer months.
Although the hotel isn’t completely vegan, it caters to vegans. It became popular a few months ago because one of the chefs came up with a vegan version of the famous cocido madrileño, a traditional meat and vegetable stew in Madrid.
Vegan Food In Spain: FAQ
Now that we’ve gone over some of the best Spanish vegan dishes and where to enjoy them, I want to answer some frequently asked questions about eating vegan in Spain:
There are approximately 276,000 vegans in Spain.
It depends on the location; however, vegan cuisine is expanding, especially in the bigger cities.
Vegan food in Spanish is comida vegana. You can ask, ¿Tenéis comida vegana?
Barcelona has some of the best vegan food, but Madrid is also a good city for vegans.
What Spanish vegan dishes would you add to this list?
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Thankyou for writing this blog which help a lots for vegans, this information brings an oxygen for veg lovers and we can spend easily our holidays in spain and to be frank we have no ideas that we can order these vegan dishes in spain which looks mouthwatering in first impression.
Spanish cuisine offers a delightful array of vegan dishes that are both flavorful and satisfying. From the robust and hearty flavors of a classic Spanish gazpacho to the comforting simplicity of patatas bravas, these dishes highlight the versatility of plant-based ingredients. Whether you’re a vegan or just looking to try something new, Spanish vegan cuisine provides a vibrant and delicious culinary experience.
It has a wonderful variety of vegan dishes that showcase bold and vibrant flavors. Traditional favorites like gazpacho and pisto are naturally plant-based and bursting with fresh ingredients. Exploring Spanish vegan dishes is a great way to enjoy rich, diverse flavors while staying true to a plant-based lifestyle.
Spanish vegan dishes are full of flavor and tradition, offering plant-based versions of beloved Spanish cuisine. Here are some classic options:
Gazpacho: A refreshing cold tomato soup, made with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. It’s perfect for hot days and showcases the fresh flavors of Spain.
Pisto: Often referred to as Spanish ratatouille, this dish is a medley of sautéed vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, seasoned with olive oil and herbs. It’s simple yet delicious.
Patatas Bravas: Crispy fried potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce and sometimes aioli. In vegan versions, the aioli is substituted with a plant-based alternative, and it’s still just as tasty.
Espinacas con Garbanzos: A traditional Andalusian dish of spinach and chickpeas, cooked with garlic, onions, and spices. It’s a hearty and flavorful meal.
Tortilla de Patatas (Vegan): The classic Spanish potato omelet, made vegan by using chickpea flour or tofu instead of eggs. It’s thick, fluffy, and packed with potatoes and onions.
Paella de Verduras: A vegan version of the famous Spanish paella, using a variety of vegetables like artichokes, peas, green beans, peppers, and tomatoes, cooked with saffron-infused rice.
Escalivada: A Catalonian dish of roasted vegetables like eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and served with crusty bread. It’s simple but packed with smoky, roasted flavor.
These dishes celebrate Spain’s rich culinary tradition while staying true to vegan principles, offering bold flavors and satisfying meals.