“Menú del día” is the Spanish equivalent of the Czech daily (lunch) menu. Eating out in Spain can be expensive, even for locals, which is why many restaurants offer a special daily menu from Monday to Friday. Menú del día includes a first course, a second course, dessert (“postre”), and drinks (“bebida”) at a very reasonable price, typically ranging from 15 to 20 EUR for the entire menu. In Spain, lunch is eaten later than in Czechia, so this offer is most commonly available between 13:30 and 16:30 (on weekdays).
Cheap Eats in Spain: Menú del Día
This economically advantageous menu has an interesting history. The Spanish government, back in 1964, issued a decree requiring all restaurants to offer a “daily menu” with a maximum price set by the state, depending on the restaurant’s level. This move was intended to promote tourism. Menú del día quickly became very popular among tourists looking for good Spanish food at a good price. However, it also indirectly benefited the locals. Although the obligation to offer “menú del día” was abolished in 2010, some restaurants still offer this value-for-money daily menu.
Common Courses in Menú del Día
Menú del día typically consists of three main parts: the first course is usually lighter, followed by a more substantial second course, and dessert is served at the end. Both the first and second courses often offer several choices, but the price remains fixed regardless of the selection. The meal may be accompanied by tap water, beer, wine, or coffee. For this article, I chose the Iñakiren restaurant, which you can visit in the Spanish city of Bilbao (see What to Eat in Bilbao). Iñakiren specializes in traditional Basque country cuisine, which is simple and hearty.
🇪🇸 Tip: After a great Spanish food, make sure to experience some authentic Spanish flamenco. I attended a performance at Las Carboneras tablao flamenco in Madrid, which I highly recommend. However, performances are available all over Spain, and you can buy tickets in advance online.
First Course (“Primer Plato”)
The first course usually consists of lighter dishes, such as soups, salads, or other types of starters. However, even the first course can be quite filling, such as the traditional Basque dish “alubias rojas con sacramentos” (beans in tomato sauce with Spanish chorizo sausage and pieces of meat), which could easily satisfy me on its own. Guests could also choose the world-renowned Spanish paella, asparagus, mixed salad, or pisto (a traditional Spanish dish made from vegetables, similar to French ratatouille).
Second Course (“Segundo Plato”)
The second course is the main part of the menu. It most often includes meat, fish, or eggs, but it can also be vegetarian. I chose cod with tomatoes and capers for my second course. The portion of cod was enormous, at least 300 g, the fish was tender and not dry, and the tomato sauce was excellently seasoned. Other options included slow-roasted beef with sauce, grilled beef steak, meatballs, or grilled fish.
Dessert (“Postre”)
Dessert concludes the experience of the entire menu. It could be fruit, ice cream, or local sweets. In many places in Spain, you can also choose a slice of local cheese with jam as a sweet ending. For Czechs, this may be an unusual choice, but I recommend trying it. I opted for the local aged sheep’s cheese with quince jam, which was a superb combination.
Drinks (“Bebida”)
The drinks included in the menú del día can consist of beer, wine, coffee, tea, or a small glass of digestif. Additionally, plain water might also be part of the offer. At the Iñakiren restaurant, they brought me an entire bottle of wine, which they left on the table throughout the meal. Perhaps the whole bottle was a special gesture for a foreign guest (the restaurant was full of locals). Even though it was a cheaper wine, it complemented the lunch menu well.
If you spend several days in Spain and want to experience the simpler cuisine that Spaniards enjoy for a regular lunch, try it through the “menú del día.” You will have the opportunity to sample Spanish dishes that often don’t make it to the evening menu but are nonetheless excellent.
Bon appétit!
🇪🇸 Tip: After a great Spanish meal, also go for authentic Spanish flamenco. I went to a performance of Las Carboneras tablao flamenco in Madrid, which I definitely recommend. Performances are held throughout Spain, and you can buy tickets in advance online.
