Europe’s appetite for Spanish cuisine is long established, but not all Spanish restaurants in Europe have got a seal to guarantee their gastronomic authenticity.
This Autumn, Eat Spain Drink Spain 2025 offers a chance to taste Spain’s culinary map in its truest form, as certified Restaurants from Spain serve up the produce and flavours that define the Iberian Peninsula direct to European and global consumers.
Running from 15th September to 15th October with events in major European cities including Berlin, Hamburg, London, Cardiff and Dublin, the Eat Spain Drink Spain campaign is more than a celebration of tapas and tempranillo.
Designed to highlight the country’s regional diversity through its flagship ingredients — from Galicia’s octopus to Andalusia’s Jamón Ibérico — this fortnight-long festival is a global showcase of Europe’s most authentic Spanish dining spots, reaching as far as Hong Kong, Mexico and South Korea.
Below, we map Spain’s flagship regions and ingredients, highlighting the certified Spanish restaurants and retailers across Europe to sample specialities and take part in the foodie festivities wherever you are.
Discover more about certified restaurants and colmados from Spain
The Basque Country – pintxos and wine pairings
In northern Spain, the Basque Country has built its reputation on pintxos — small, carefully prepared bites that turn any bar counter into a taster session. Anchovies from neighbouring Cantabria are a pintxos staple, often paired with txakoli, a lightly sparkling white wine.
Where to go: Spain’s aperitivo culture comes to life in Düsseldorf at SECRETO – Tapas & Vino, while in Paris, upscale offerings Montijo and Galerna are among the best Basque restaurants in France. Berlin’s Bar Raval, Copenhagen’s Pintxos, Lisbon’s Imanol and Stockholm’s Madrid Tapas Bar also capture the region’s sociable dining spirit.
Andalusia – gazpacho, Jamón Ibérico, sherry pairings
Andalusia is synonymous with Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham), carved from the leg and served in paper-thin slices. It is also the birthplace of gazpacho (chilled soup), now a summer staple across Europe. In certified restaurants, gazpacho retains its vivid Andalusian character, a testament to the freshness of its ingredients.
Where to go: Star chef Dani García has a number of modern-Andalusian spots across Europe, including BiBo in hip East London. For a taste of Seville in Milan, try Sevilla Mia, or stock up on cold cuts and sherry at La Casa Iberico.
Catalonia – seafood, olive oil, romesco
Catalonia’s coastline shapes its seafood culture, while its olive oils are among Spain’s most prized exports. Abroad, chefs experiment with Catalan oils in both savoury and sweet dishes. The earthy depth of romesco sauce – a blend of peppers, nuts and olive oil – is a versatile addition to many Spanish dishes including croquetas and romesco de peix (Catalan fish stew).
Where to go: Berlin’s DO Restaurant offers a strong selection of Catalonian products and wines, while Milan’s Sabor Catalan brings modern twists to traditional flavours.
Castile & León, La Mancha – manchego cheese, saffron, charcuterie
Inland Spain offers a different set of signatures. Manchego cheese, made from the milk of Manchega sheep, is a nutty fixture in cheese boards across Europe and one of Spain’s 26 cheeses with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Saffron from La Mancha is another treasure, prized for its colour and delicate aroma, while Castile-León’s meat traditions include cochinillo (suckling pig), cordero asado (roast lamb) and celebrated charcuterie.
Famed chorizo from Rioja and Segovia continue Spain’s tradition of organic curing, supplied to Europe through specialist stores known as colmados.
Where to go: Certified Spanish colmados in Europe include Finland’s Heart of Spain and Germany’s Cavaísimo. In Copenhagen, Tapa del Toro serves cured meats by the platter, while Budapest’s first Spanish colmado, Ultramarinos Martinez, doubles up as a deli and bar.
Galicia – octopus, Albariño wines
Galicia’s maritime identity is best captured by pulpo a la gallega – boiled octopus with pimentón (Spanish paprika), olive oil and salt. Crisp Albariño wines provide the perfect match, introducing diners to the region’s Atlantic flavours. Galicia is also known for its Tetilla cheese, instantly recognisable on a cheese board with its pointed cone shape.
Where to go: In London, Arros QD celebrates Galician seafood, while Hamburg’s Portomarin, Brussels’ Hispania and Warsaw’s Sobremesa bring regional flair and flamenco dancing to continental Europe.
Valencia – the gift of paella
Valencia is famed as the home of paella, but the region also supplies Europe with an incredible range of produce, including oranges and lemons, tomatoes and peppers, nuts and grains, from its fertile L'Horta (The Orchard) zone.
To replicate authentic flavours at home, seek out arroz de Valencia (Valencian bomba rice) and saffron at specialist retailers, following an authentic paella recipe.
Where to go: London’s Arros QD, led by Michelin-starred chef Quique Dacosta, is a must for traditional Valencian recipes with modern touches. Further afield, Bucharest’s Casa España, Milan’s Otra Vez and Reykjavik’s La Barceloneta bring quality paella to new audiences.
‘Restaurants from Spain’: a stamp of authenticity
From Basque Country pintxos to Galician octopus, each certified Restaurant from Spain carries a seal of quality and authenticity. This certification, developed by ICEX (the Spain Trade and Investment authority), guarantees that the dishes and wines respect the origins of the products they showcase. For diners, the seal is an invitation to explore Spain’s landscapes and traditions through food.
Across Europe this Autumn, curated menus, tastings, workshops and cultural experiences will give audiences a chance to discover Spain’s culinary treasures – from Rioja and Albariño wines to Manchego cheese and Jamón Ibérico cold cuts – alongside lesser-known regional gems including Godello wines, Idiazabal or Mahon cheeses, and bonito fish.
During the festival, visitors are encouraged to seek out the Spanish restaurants highlighted above – and many more on the official list – when special menus, wine pairings and promotions will be running.
Eat Spain Drink Spain 2025: a global stage
Eat Spain Drink Spain 2025 is organised by Foods and Wines from Spain and Alimentos de España in 15 countries, in collaboration with commercial offices around the world. Its mission is to raise awareness of authentic Spanish food and drink as part of the Spain Food Nation campaign.
From wine pairing dinners to in-store promotions and competitions, the programme brings Spanish hospitality to life. Whether at a pop-up in Dublin, a workshop in Berlin or a tasting menu in Hong Kong, the campaign underlines Spain’s position as one of the world’s most diverse and exciting culinary nations.
Follow the action with #EatSpainDrinkSpain and #SpainFoodNation hashtags, visiting @SpainFoodWine on Instagram and @FoodWineSpain on X for updates.
Discover the full list of certified restaurants and colmados from Spain.