What Food To Try in Zaragoza and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Zaragoza for 2024.
National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Zaragoza cafes and restaurants
$13.1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $7.1
$43.7
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $32.75
$8.7
Combo Meal
Starting from $6.55
What to Try in Zaragoza
Must-try Dishes
Tortilla Española - Spanish Omelette (hearty breakfast) - A thick omelette filled with potatoes and onions, cooked slowly until golden. Locals typically enjoy this for breakfast, often paired with bread and a café con leche in the morning.Churros - Churros (street snack) - Fried dough pastries, crispy on the outside and soft inside, often enjoyed with hot chocolate for dipping. You'll find vendors selling them in the early evening, perfect for a late-night snack after strolling through the city.
Pilar de Bacalao - Cod St. Peter's (traditional dish) - Salted cod served with a savory tomato sauce and sautéed vegetables, offering a delightful taste of the Mediterranean. Many locals savor this dish during family dinners, especially in colder months.
Almojábanas - Savory Cheese Breads (local specialty) - Fluffy breads made with fresh cheese and served warm, often enjoyed as a hearty snack. It’s common to grab these from bakeries on the way to work or during lunch breaks.
Pimientos de Padrón - Padrón Peppers (surprising combo) - Small green peppers, sautéed with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, where some bite will be sweet while others are surprisingly spicy. These are perfect for sharing over drinks, making them a popular choice at tapas bars.
Trucha - Trout (seasonal variation) - Freshly caught trout, grilled to perfection and often served with almonds, is especially popular during the fish season in spring. Enjoying this dish by the river is a nice local custom.
Garbanzos con Espinacas - Chickpeas with Spinach (filling meal) - A robust stew of chickpeas, spinach, and spices, simmered until rich and hearty. This dish is a common vegetarian option for lunch, especially during the fasting months.
Desserts & Drinks
Calanda Beer - Cerveza Calanda (local lager) - A refreshing pale lager brewed in Calanda, known for its crisp taste and smooth finish. Locals often enjoy it on hot summer evenings, particularly during outdoor gatherings or tapas with friends.Chocolate con Churros - Chocolate con Churros (thick hot chocolate with pastry sticks) - A rich, thick hot chocolate served alongside crispy churro sticks for dipping, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. A common mistake is ordering it too sweet, but locals usually prefer a more balanced flavor, accentuated by a sprinkle of sugar on the churros.
Tinto de Verano - Tinto de Verano (summer red wine drink) - A light and refreshing drink made with red wine mixed with lemon soda or gaseosa, served over ice with a slice of lemon. This is especially popular during the summer months, enjoyed while socializing at outdoor terraces.
Imán - Imán (cinnamon pastry) - This sweet, spiced pastry is made with a flaky dough filled with cinnamon and sugar, often served warm as an afternoon dessert. You'll find it at bakeries during the cooler months, where the comforting aroma will draw you in.
Flan - Flan (caramel custard) - Silky smooth caramel custard topped with a rich caramel sauce, flan is a beloved dessert served at family gatherings and celebrations. It's best enjoyed chilled after a hearty meal, with a texture so creamy that it almost melts in your mouth.
Food and Groceries in Zaragoza
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.86 |
| Oranges | $1.83 |
| Potatoes | $1.53 |
| Apples | $1.94 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.59 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.87 |
| Imported Beer | $1.39 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $5.46 |
Various Groceries
| Chicken | $7.95 |
| Rice | $1.12 |
| Local Cheese | $10.26 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
While wandering through the bustling streets of Zaragoza, a frequent sight is families gathering around tables for lunch, which typically starts around 2 PM. It’s this kind of communal eating that captures the essence of local dining culture here, where lunchtime is an event, not just a meal.
In Zaragoza, you can generally expect to pay between €10 to €20 for a decent lunch in most mid-range restaurants. For instance, a solid three-course menú del día might set you back around €12 in a central quartier like El Tubo, whereas the same meal could easily cost €18 in the more upscale Paseo de la Independencia. This variation is a reflection of the district's character, with El Tubo known for its vibrant atmosphere filled with tapas bars, and Paseo de la Independencia flaunting newer dining establishments and chic décor.
Speaking of meals, it's typical for dinner to stretch late into the evening, often not starting until 9 PM or even later. Many visitors fall into the trap of treating Zaragoza like other cities with early dinners. This can lead to frustration when many restaurants are closed or half-empty during traditional dining hours. For those who don’t want to miss the genuine local experience, making a reservation is a wise move, especially on weekends when locals fill the spaces quickly.
Payment in Zaragoza tends to favor cash, particularly in smaller establishments or markets. While places do accept cards, a lot of the traditional tapas bars have a "cash only" policy, so it's best to have some euros (€) on hand. I've almost been caught out a few times without cash, particularly in the lively Mercato Central de Zaragoza, where vendors prefer the ease of cash transactions.
Tipping, although not obligatory, is valued for good service. Leaving small change, around 5-10% based on the total bill, is appreciated and reflects local customs. It’s also common to see the bill settled directly at the bar in many casual dining places, rather than at the table, which may catch tourists off guard.
As for seasonal patterns, come summer, you'll notice dining hours change. People prefer to eat later to avoid the heat, making earlier meal times feel a bit sparse. The al fresco dining spaces become the hub of activity, with locals savoring long meals outdoors as the weather cools down.
The dining scene in Zaragoza thrives on this blend of traditional customs and district-specific variations. Both new and seasoned residents adapt to the rhythms of the city, ensuring that the local food culture remains vibrant and evolving. With these insights, you'll find yourself navigating Zaragoza's culinary landscape like a local.
In Zaragoza, you can generally expect to pay between €10 to €20 for a decent lunch in most mid-range restaurants. For instance, a solid three-course menú del día might set you back around €12 in a central quartier like El Tubo, whereas the same meal could easily cost €18 in the more upscale Paseo de la Independencia. This variation is a reflection of the district's character, with El Tubo known for its vibrant atmosphere filled with tapas bars, and Paseo de la Independencia flaunting newer dining establishments and chic décor.
Speaking of meals, it's typical for dinner to stretch late into the evening, often not starting until 9 PM or even later. Many visitors fall into the trap of treating Zaragoza like other cities with early dinners. This can lead to frustration when many restaurants are closed or half-empty during traditional dining hours. For those who don’t want to miss the genuine local experience, making a reservation is a wise move, especially on weekends when locals fill the spaces quickly.
Payment in Zaragoza tends to favor cash, particularly in smaller establishments or markets. While places do accept cards, a lot of the traditional tapas bars have a "cash only" policy, so it's best to have some euros (€) on hand. I've almost been caught out a few times without cash, particularly in the lively Mercato Central de Zaragoza, where vendors prefer the ease of cash transactions.
Tipping, although not obligatory, is valued for good service. Leaving small change, around 5-10% based on the total bill, is appreciated and reflects local customs. It’s also common to see the bill settled directly at the bar in many casual dining places, rather than at the table, which may catch tourists off guard.
As for seasonal patterns, come summer, you'll notice dining hours change. People prefer to eat later to avoid the heat, making earlier meal times feel a bit sparse. The al fresco dining spaces become the hub of activity, with locals savoring long meals outdoors as the weather cools down.
The dining scene in Zaragoza thrives on this blend of traditional customs and district-specific variations. Both new and seasoned residents adapt to the rhythms of the city, ensuring that the local food culture remains vibrant and evolving. With these insights, you'll find yourself navigating Zaragoza's culinary landscape like a local.