Spain, a land of diverse flavors and rich culinary heritage, has long been known for its delicious tapas, savory paella, and mouthwatering churros. But what about those who crave the flavors of Spain without the meat, fish, or eggs? Enter the vibrant and growing scene of vegan Spain.
The Rise of Vegan Spain
In recent years, Spain has seen a surge in plant-based eating. From Barcelona to Madrid and beyond, the Spanish culinary scene is embracing veganism and vegetarianism in a big way. As global food trends continue to evolve, Spain is adapting to meet the demand for vegan-friendly options.
Vegan-Friendly Cities
Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, has emerged as a vegan mecca. A stroll through the Gràcia neighborhood reveals a vegan bakery on every corner, and a visit to El Raval uncovers innovative vegan tapas bars tucked away on quiet side streets. Madrid, the country’s capital, is also embracing the vegan revolution, with new restaurants opening regularly and an annual Vegan Fest attracting thousands of visitors.
In Seville, the southern city known for its flamenco dancing and colorful azulejos tiles, vegan chef Javier Sanz is revolutionizing the food scene. He recently opened his second vegan restaurant, Freskura, where he serves up plant-based twists on traditional Andalusian dishes like gazpacho and huevos rotos.
The growing popularity of veganism in Spain is not only driven by locals but also by the estimated 1 million tourists who visit the country each year and are in search of vegan-friendly dining options.
Veganizing Spanish Classics
Tapas, the small plates of food that are meant to be shared among friends, are a staple of Spanish cuisine. And while many traditional tapas are off-limits for vegans, more and more restaurants are veganizing these beloved dishes. At Macarena’s Vegan Bar in Barcelona, patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) are made with vegan mayonnaise, while the popular tortilla de patatas (potato omelette) is made with vegetable broth instead of eggs.
Chef Javier Sanz of Freskura takes a more innovative approach to vegan tapas, creating dishes like “calamares” made from squid ink rice cakes filled with avocado mousse and served with a smoky tomato sauce. “My goal is to make vegan eating accessible and delicious,” he says. “I want people to be able to come in and enjoy tapas without worrying about what’s in them.”
Paella, the iconic rice dish that originated on the eastern coast of Spain, is another national treasure that has been veganized. While some versions use soy-based meat alternatives, many chefs are opting for a more traditional approach. “I use local, seasonal vegetables to give the dish flavor and texture,” says chef Sanz. “And I don’t add any extra liquid to the pan, so the rice gets that nice socarrat (crispy bottom).”
A vegan paella usually takes around 40 minutes to cook, compared to the traditional 1-hour version made with chicken and rabbit. But for Sanz, the extra time is worth it. “It’s important for us to show that vegan eating is not about sacrifice,” he says. “You can still enjoy all of the flavors of Spanish cuisine without harming animals.”
Ethical Eating: Vegan Restaurants and Chefs
While many restaurants in Spain now offer at least a few vegan options, there are also pioneering vegan establishments that are leading the charge. In Barcelona, La Cova Fumada, which has been serving up vegetarian food since the 1930s, recently went completely vegan. They are now famous for their vegan calamari made from squid ink batter and served with a garlic aioli.
In Madrid, chef David Muñoz, who is known for his avant-garde cooking style, recently opened a vegan version of his restaurant, DiverXO. The menu includes dishes like “oysters” made from hearts of palm and “shrimp” made from beetroot and cherry tomatoes.
At Freskura in Seville, chef Sanz sources all of his ingredients from local, organic farmers and collaborates with ethical food producers. “It’s important for us to support local farmers and reduce our carbon footprint,” he says. “We also use a lot of seasonal vegetables, so our menu changes frequently.”
Vegan Tapas Tour: Discovering the Flavors of Spain
Barcelona is a city that takes its vegan dining seriously. In addition to the many vegan restaurants, there are also tapas bars that offer vegan options. One of the best places to try vegan tapas is La Pepita, a cozy tapas bar in the El Raval neighborhood. Here, chef Carme Ruscalleda serves up vegan tapas like potato croquettes with truffle aioli, grilled eggplant with mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, and a vegan version of the classic tortilla de patatas.
Madrid, too, has embraced the vegan lifestyle. One of the best places to experience it is at the annual Vegan Fest, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. Held in the city’s beautiful Retiro Park, the festival features vegan food stalls, cooking demonstrations, and talks by vegan activists and chefs.
Another great way to explore the city’s vegan scene is with a vegan tapas tour. Companies like Vegan Tours Madrid offer a tapas tour that takes you to different tapas bars around the city, where you can try vegan tapas like padrón peppers with salt and olive oil, and a vegan version of albondigas (meatballs) made from lentils and chorizo.
The Future of Vegan Spain
As more and more people adopt a plant-based diet, the demand for vegan food is growing. And while Spain has lagged behind other European countries in terms of offering vegan options, it is now catching up. In addition to the rise of vegan restaurants and chefs, many mainstream restaurants are now offering vegan options, including the famous El Bulli Foundation, which is working on creating plant-based alternatives to traditional meat and fish dishes.
In addition to being more ethical and sustainable, vegan diets have been shown to be good for the planet. According to a recent study published in the journal Science, if every American went vegan, it would be the equivalent of taking 76 million cars off the road.
As Spain continues to embrace veganism, we can look forward to more delicious plant-based versions of our favorite Spanish dishes. And for those of us who are already vegan, we can look forward to more vegan-friendly options whenever we travel to Spain.