“Tapear” strictly means to go for Tapas. But what most tourists don’t know is that going for tapas shouldn’t be about going to one place and getting several tapas there. “Tapear” or going for Tapas Crawl should be about getting the best or the favourite tapa in one bar or restaurant, then moving to the next place and ordering the tapa that bar is famous for. And so on, until you’re full.
Tapear Is a Social Activity
Tapear is strictly a social activity. You would go with at least two other people on a Tapas Crawl, otherwise it can get boring. You wouldn’t go alone on a Tapas Crawl – not that you’d be kicked out – but it’s not how the locals do it. You’d go to a bar alone to get a cup of coffee and read the newspaper, or at most, get a “racion” or “combinado” if you’re taking a lunch break and you have no work colleagues.
Why Some Tapas Bars Don’t Have Chairs
Going for tapas is different from other meals because it isn’t a sit-down, table-service meal. It’s going to the bar and stand: have a drink in one hand and a small bite in the other, talking, laughing, discussing life and current events. That’s why some tapas bars don’t even have chairs: they get in the way of people crowding around and interacting with each other. What may seem like an inconvenience for tourists is actually part of the fun for Spaniards!
How to Find the Best Tapa at Each Bar
If you’re not sure what tapa to order, you can do two things. First, before entering the bar, you can go to Google Maps, search for the place, and read the reviews; people will often praise the best food. Second, once you are in the bar, you can ask the waiter what their specialty is: “¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?”; or what they recommend: “¿Qué me recomiendas?”.
What to Drink on a Tapas Crawl
As for drinks, you can pair your tapa with a glass of wine – white (Albariño, Ribeiro, Godello, Jerez, Txakoli), rosé (from Navarra, Rioja, or Prieto Picudo), red (Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Bierzo, Toro), or sparkling (Cava). If wine is not for you, then you can get a beer or a vermut.
The One Bar, One Drink, One Tapa Rule
While in most of Spain, going for tapas is called Tapear, in the Basque Country, where they have Pintxos, it is called Txikiteo (or Poteo). In its essence, going for tapas is about trying different small bites at different bars – the “One Bar, One Drink, One Tapa” Rule. Tapear celebrates being informal and is essentially an active outing, not like the long Sunday lunch with endless Sobremesa (the long post-meal conversation that can last hours over Gin tonics).
