 Tapas in Barcelona, Spain | |
| Course | Appetiser or snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Serving temperature | Hot or cold |
| Main ingredients | Various |
Tapas (Spanish: [ˈtapa]) are appetisers or snacks in Spanish cuisine. They can be combined to make a full meal and are served cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid; or patatas bravas, spicy potatoes). In some bars and restaurants in Spain and across the globe, tapas have evolved into a sophisticated cuisine. In some Central American countries, such snacks are known as bocas. In parts of Mexico, similar dishes are called botanas.
An individual appetizer (or single order of an item) is a tapa.