Eating Arabic Food in Spain: Where to Go and What to Order

Most visitors come to Spain for tapas, jamón and paella. Then, somewhere between a hot afternoon and a late dinner, they walk past a place with warm bread in the window and the smell of grilled meat in the air, and they wonder if it is worth a try.

It is. Arabic food has a long history in Spain, and today you can find everything from a quick shawarma to a full table of rice, lamb and mezze. If you are searching for an Arabic restaurant in Spain, here is how to find a good one and what to order once you sit down.

Spain and Arabic Food Go Back Further Than You Think

For roughly eight centuries, from 711 until 1492, large parts of what is now Spain were part of Al-Andalus, a region under Muslim rule. That left a mark on the kitchen. Rice, sugar cane, citrus fruit, saffron, almonds and aubergines are all widely credited to that era, and the Spanish language still carries thousands of words of Arabic origin, including arroz (rice), aceituna (olive) and azúcar (sugar).

So when you eat a plate of rice with saffron or a dessert made with almonds and honey in Spain, you are tasting a story that is much older than any restaurant. Modern Arabic restaurants add a newer chapter, with cooks from Lebanon, Syria, the Gulf, Egypt and the Maghreb bringing their own family recipes.

Where to Find Arabic Restaurants in Spain

You can eat Arabic food in most Spanish cities, but some places stand out. This is a general guide, and it is always worth checking recent reviews and opening hours.

Place

What you are likely to find

Good for

Worth knowing

Madrid

A wide mix of Levantine, Gulf and North African restaurants

Variety and late-night options

Neighbourhoods differ a lot, so look near where you are staying

Barcelona

Lebanese, Syrian, Gulf and Moroccan places across the city

Sit-down dinners and quick takeaway

Popular spots fill up on weekends

Granada

Tea houses and Moroccan-style restaurants around the old Albaicín

Mint tea, pastries and atmosphere

Some places lean heavily on the tourist trade

Seville, Córdoba and Málaga

A mix of Moorish-inspired cooking and modern Arabic restaurants

Seeing the history and tasting it too

Menus often blend Spanish and Arabic dishes

Valencia and the coast

Growing choice of Lebanese and Gulf restaurants

Rice dishes and seafood with Middle Eastern flavours

Check seasonal opening hours in resort areas

What to Order

If you are new to this food, share. Order a few small plates for the table, then one or two mains.

Good starters include hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh and falafel, usually with warm flatbread. For a main, grilled meats and shawarma plates are easy crowd-pleasers. If the menu has a Gulf-style rice dish such as kabsa or mandi, order it, because it is often the best thing on the table.

End with something sweet. Baklava, kunafa and a small cup of Arabic coffee or mint tea is a lovely way to finish.

If you want a sit-down place that serves Arabic food in Spain, look for a menu that is focused and a kitchen that is clearly proud of a few dishes, rather than one that tries to cover every cuisine at once.

Halal, Vegetarian and Allergies

Many Arabic restaurants in Spain serve halal meat, but it is not guaranteed, so look for a sign or ask. Many do not serve alcohol either, which is worth knowing if you plan to book a table for a group.

Vegetarians are well looked after. Mezze, salads, lentil dishes and falafel can make a full meal without meat.

Allergies need a little more care. Sesame (in tahini), nuts and gluten appear in many Arabic dishes. Restaurants in Spain are required to give allergen information, so tell your server what you cannot eat and ask them to check the dish.

Eating the Spanish Way

Meal times in Spain are later than in many countries. Lunch often starts around 2 pm, and dinner usually begins after 9 pm. Arabic restaurants tend to follow the local rhythm, but some open earlier, so check before you go.

Look out for the menu del día at lunchtime, a set menu that is usually better value than ordering separate dishes. Book ahead for weekends and larger groups, and during Ramadan ask whether the restaurant offers an iftar menu, as hours can change.

How to Spot a Good Place

A few signs help. The bread should be warm and fresh. The menu should be reasonably short and the prices clear. You should see local customers, including families, not just tourists. Reviews that mention specific dishes are more useful than ones that say “nice food.”

Be wary of places with staff pulling people in from the street, menus with photos of every dish, or a list that stretches across five different cuisines. That is often a sign of food made for volume, not flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there much Arabic food in Spain? Yes. Larger cities like Madrid and Barcelona have many options, and southern cities like Granada have a long tradition of Moorish-style food and tea houses.

Is Arabic food in Spain halal? Often, but not always. Check for a halal sign or ask the staff, especially if you are ordering meat.

What dishes should I try first? Start with hummus, falafel and tabbouleh, then share a grilled dish or a rice dish like kabsa or mandi. Finish with baklava or kunafa.

Do I need to book a table? It helps on weekends and for groups. On a quiet weekday, many restaurants can seat you without a booking.

Are there good options for vegetarians? Yes. Arabic cuisine has many meat-free dishes, so you can build a satisfying meal from mezze, salads and bread.

Final Thoughts

Arabic cooking has been part of Spain’s story for centuries, and today it is easier than ever to enjoy. Be clear about halal and allergy needs, go for shared plates and trust the places that are focused on doing a few things well. When you are ready to choose an Arabic restaurant in Spain, use this guide to pick one you will enjoy.