Practical guide

Menú del Día for Expats: Everything You Need

All you need to know to eat well from day one.

By the Hoy Aquí team  ·  5 min read

A Spanish café terrace with tables outside. Photo: Unsplash

You have been in Spain for two days. You tried to eat at twelve and the restaurant was closed. You ordered “paella” and got something with prawns. And you waited ten minutes for the bill without anyone appearing.

Welcome. This happens to everyone. In three days you will have it all figured out.

What is the menú del día and how does it work

It is a fixed-price set lunch - first course, main, dessert or coffee, bread and a drink - for a fixed price, usually between €13 and €20. It is only served at lunchtime (typically 13:00-16:00) Monday to Friday.

When you walk in, ask: “¿Tienen menú del día?” (Do you have the set menu?) The waiter will bring a board or sheet with the options. There are 2-4 choices per course. Pick one from each and you are done.

What the chalkboard says - and what it means

What not to do

Arriving too late. After 15:30 many restaurants have closed the kitchen or run out of options. 13:30-14:30 is the ideal window.

Ordering just one course. The set menu is all or nothing. If you only want a salad, you will have to order à la carte and pay considerably more.

Waiting for the bill. In Spain it does not come automatically. You have to ask: “La cuenta, por favor.” If you do not ask, it does not arrive.

Thinking tipping is mandatory. It is not. Leaving the small coins from your change (€0.50-€1) if you enjoyed the meal is perfectly fine, but nobody will look at you oddly if you do not leave anything.