This is so funny (and true)! As a Spaniard living in the US, one of the best things about the Spanish culture is that you don't have to plan every meal with friends or co-workers. You just take for granted that you will eat with someone at the same time every day, no matter what the weather or work schedule. Things are just simpler in that sense and have a slower pace. As you say, it's more about the experience than the food itself. Basically we can divide the day, the week and the year into the different meals with friends and family, everything else is just an addition to those moments 😅.
We're living inverse lives! What part of the US are you in? So true that life here is basically shaped around meals and everything else is an addition to those moments 😂
Love what you said about stability and connection. And so true about returning to the States and trying to schedule ANYTHING! The window is a wide, wide range for any of the three meals. We even have a fourth option: Brunch 🍳😂
Eating dinner any time before 7 is a sin in most Mediterranean countries. When I lived in England with German roommates it worked perfectly because our kitchen had "shifts". First the Germans at 5/6 with their bread and cheeses, then us Italians at 7/8 with pasta.
Love, love, love this! It’s fascinating how something as simple as eating takes on such significance in Spain. At first, it would drive me insane, but I’m sure I’d eventually fall under the same spell. What I loved most about this piece is how it highlights community and gathering—while subtly revealing what’s missing: the lone-wolf way we do things here in the US. Gosh, we’re weird.
I read somewhere that Franco put Spain on German time during the 40s and it's remained that way. Could that have something to do with the schedule? As in, you eat at 2pm, but your "real" time is 1pm.
Maybe it's an urban legend, or if true, has nothing to do with it. It's best to adapt and enjoy, as you did. It's such a big part of the rhythm of life and culture in Spain. They have adapted a bit to tourists, as you say, to cater to tourists in heavily visited areas.
Spent some time in the Netherlands in the early 90’s. The biggest difference I noticed was that dinner at a restaurant was a social occasion, you just didn’t go there to eat and leave. You stayed for hours conversing and enjoying the people around you. It was a pleasant surprise.
The Spanish are religious about their lunch break and I admire that. After a few years of going back and forth between the UK and Spain and I can't stand it when Brits eat their lunch out of a box on their office desks.
In my home country we sit down for meals too although they are never such leisurely, stretching affairs as the Spanish lunch break. I'm also fascinated how late breakfast is had in Spain and how it's an excuse for catching up with people.
Ever since I started dealing with serious reflux, and realized how beneficial it is to not eat for a while before bed, I’ve wondered how people in cultures who eat super late manage these sorts of health issues. Any idea?
I believe this schedule works for them because they go to bed later (warm weather) and the main meal is lunch, with dinner usually much lighter. Also it is more like intermittent fasting with no food until 10:30. IF really helps reflux. Along with communal element and relaxation.
In winter we have dinner around 8-9pm and go to bed not before 11pm, and dinner is normally quite light (salad, yoghurt and a toast, vegetables, soup). In summer we go to sleep later, so have dinner later… it also depends on which part of Spain you live in, your work schedule, with whom you eat… and after dinner or lunch we usually talk (or have siesta, or walk in summer) so there’s time for our body to process the food I guess. Some people have lunch at home, others at workplace. I don’t know if that answers your question, it depends on the region and person.
Ditto what the others have said here in the thread! :) In general we go to bed later, usually 11pm to midnight and then dinners are typically very light. Salad, vegetable puree, etc. I will admit if I eat a heavier dinner I feel it often affects my ability to fall asleep so I try to avoid that.
Immediately fell into the routine when I lived there and still do each year we visit. Love meals that connect people and that are part of life, not an afterthought.
OH yes, we had our share of fails to trying to fit into the schedule while spending this winter in Spain, too. While we often wanted to eat lunch either - sooner, around 12 and then dinner around 18, it is not possible. It took us some time to accommodate. Since I am traveling around Europe, it is so funny and sometimes challenging to always get used to different schedules. Currently in France, it is again different... I am all for later lunches, but dinners in winter, I would love a little sooner. In summer it is no problem for me, the light and temperature are just right later in the evening. But at 20:00 I want to be safe "wintering" home, since is so dark and colder, if you know what I mean ;)
Thanks for reading and sharing, Claudia, so appreciate it! I have to agree with you. One challenge that persists for me is having later dinners in the winter. In the summer it's no problem since the sun is up until 10-11pm! Thankfully with spring equinox today we're moving towards those longer days again :)
When traveling/living in Europe it took us a while to get used to having to stop and take a break for a longer more leisurely lunch between 12 and 2pm. Now it has become the norm whether we are in Europe or not. A wonderful custom. Just go with the flow. All the best.
I'm so glad you could get the Spanish approach to this. I know that is a bit shocking at the beggining due to my husband is not spanish and when his family comes it's super weird for them! But you totally got it! Also what about sharing tapas, the most fun way to try all the menu at once!
This is so cool!! I remember moving from California to the Midwest and feeling the shift towards a slower pace. I can’t wait to experience that feeling again when I eventually move to Spain 🫶🏻
Interesting that you noticed the shift from within the US even, I've always wondered about that as I only ever lived in California and Arizona. Buena suerte with your move out here! :)
I have been eating my own heavy breakfasts (usually lentils, eggs, and veggies) which is not what Italians eat (cigarette coffee and maybe a small cookie). I have adapted to the strict mealtimes fine but NOT what is in my meal 😂.
Haha, I feel you Brenna! I resisted the Spanish breakfast tostada for soo long and opted for kefir, chia seed pudding, etc for breakfast but have to admit I've finally just given in and now really look forward to my tostadas!
"Most true Spanish restaurants will close between lunch and dinner."
This is true. I worked in restaurant kitchens in Spain for three years and I hated it. It makes your working life endless. I'd rather have 8-hour shifts and more personnel, than two 4-hour shifts that become 6-hours and take your day from 10am to 1am.
The tapeo/poteo is nice, for the social bonds it creates, and at least it only takes place once a day (in the evening).
I've lived abroad for 20 years now, but I still do Spanish lunchtime (dinner however has been moved to 8/8:30ish, which is still late for many). This has created some interesting situations when meeting with international friends at times that for me meant we would be having lunch and for them it was just a coffee because they had eaten hours before. Now I always confirm what the eating expectations are to avoid surprises 😂
This is so funny (and true)! As a Spaniard living in the US, one of the best things about the Spanish culture is that you don't have to plan every meal with friends or co-workers. You just take for granted that you will eat with someone at the same time every day, no matter what the weather or work schedule. Things are just simpler in that sense and have a slower pace. As you say, it's more about the experience than the food itself. Basically we can divide the day, the week and the year into the different meals with friends and family, everything else is just an addition to those moments 😅.
We're living inverse lives! What part of the US are you in? So true that life here is basically shaped around meals and everything else is an addition to those moments 😂
Based in New England since the last August! Looking for travel to the other coast to see how different things really are from east to the West
Love what you said about stability and connection. And so true about returning to the States and trying to schedule ANYTHING! The window is a wide, wide range for any of the three meals. We even have a fourth option: Brunch 🍳😂
Oh my gosh yes and brunch is also so ambiguous! 10:30 am? 2pm? It's all acceptable.
Eating dinner any time before 7 is a sin in most Mediterranean countries. When I lived in England with German roommates it worked perfectly because our kitchen had "shifts". First the Germans at 5/6 with their bread and cheeses, then us Italians at 7/8 with pasta.
Love, love, love this! It’s fascinating how something as simple as eating takes on such significance in Spain. At first, it would drive me insane, but I’m sure I’d eventually fall under the same spell. What I loved most about this piece is how it highlights community and gathering—while subtly revealing what’s missing: the lone-wolf way we do things here in the US. Gosh, we’re weird.
Thanks for reading and sharing your comment Patti, I'm glad to hear this landed. It's a big change at first, but hard to resist the spell! :)
I read somewhere that Franco put Spain on German time during the 40s and it's remained that way. Could that have something to do with the schedule? As in, you eat at 2pm, but your "real" time is 1pm.
Maybe it's an urban legend, or if true, has nothing to do with it. It's best to adapt and enjoy, as you did. It's such a big part of the rhythm of life and culture in Spain. They have adapted a bit to tourists, as you say, to cater to tourists in heavily visited areas.
I've heard this too, I used to tell that story when I worked as a tapas tour guide, I do believe that has something to do with it as well!
It's true and it's indeed linked to the Spanish alliance at the time with Germany. Somehow it was never changed again.
Spent some time in the Netherlands in the early 90’s. The biggest difference I noticed was that dinner at a restaurant was a social occasion, you just didn’t go there to eat and leave. You stayed for hours conversing and enjoying the people around you. It was a pleasant surprise.
The Spanish are religious about their lunch break and I admire that. After a few years of going back and forth between the UK and Spain and I can't stand it when Brits eat their lunch out of a box on their office desks.
In my home country we sit down for meals too although they are never such leisurely, stretching affairs as the Spanish lunch break. I'm also fascinated how late breakfast is had in Spain and how it's an excuse for catching up with people.
Ever since I started dealing with serious reflux, and realized how beneficial it is to not eat for a while before bed, I’ve wondered how people in cultures who eat super late manage these sorts of health issues. Any idea?
I believe this schedule works for them because they go to bed later (warm weather) and the main meal is lunch, with dinner usually much lighter. Also it is more like intermittent fasting with no food until 10:30. IF really helps reflux. Along with communal element and relaxation.
In winter we have dinner around 8-9pm and go to bed not before 11pm, and dinner is normally quite light (salad, yoghurt and a toast, vegetables, soup). In summer we go to sleep later, so have dinner later… it also depends on which part of Spain you live in, your work schedule, with whom you eat… and after dinner or lunch we usually talk (or have siesta, or walk in summer) so there’s time for our body to process the food I guess. Some people have lunch at home, others at workplace. I don’t know if that answers your question, it depends on the region and person.
I was just curious… I suppose it does depend on circumstance. Do younger people tend to eat later?
Ditto what the others have said here in the thread! :) In general we go to bed later, usually 11pm to midnight and then dinners are typically very light. Salad, vegetable puree, etc. I will admit if I eat a heavier dinner I feel it often affects my ability to fall asleep so I try to avoid that.
Yes, I think so!! And on weekends also.
Immediately fell into the routine when I lived there and still do each year we visit. Love meals that connect people and that are part of life, not an afterthought.
OH yes, we had our share of fails to trying to fit into the schedule while spending this winter in Spain, too. While we often wanted to eat lunch either - sooner, around 12 and then dinner around 18, it is not possible. It took us some time to accommodate. Since I am traveling around Europe, it is so funny and sometimes challenging to always get used to different schedules. Currently in France, it is again different... I am all for later lunches, but dinners in winter, I would love a little sooner. In summer it is no problem for me, the light and temperature are just right later in the evening. But at 20:00 I want to be safe "wintering" home, since is so dark and colder, if you know what I mean ;)
Anyway, enjoyed this article. Cheers!
Thanks for reading and sharing, Claudia, so appreciate it! I have to agree with you. One challenge that persists for me is having later dinners in the winter. In the summer it's no problem since the sun is up until 10-11pm! Thankfully with spring equinox today we're moving towards those longer days again :)
When traveling/living in Europe it took us a while to get used to having to stop and take a break for a longer more leisurely lunch between 12 and 2pm. Now it has become the norm whether we are in Europe or not. A wonderful custom. Just go with the flow. All the best.
I'm so glad you could get the Spanish approach to this. I know that is a bit shocking at the beggining due to my husband is not spanish and when his family comes it's super weird for them! But you totally got it! Also what about sharing tapas, the most fun way to try all the menu at once!
Once you go tapas you never go back! ;)
This is so cool!! I remember moving from California to the Midwest and feeling the shift towards a slower pace. I can’t wait to experience that feeling again when I eventually move to Spain 🫶🏻
Interesting that you noticed the shift from within the US even, I've always wondered about that as I only ever lived in California and Arizona. Buena suerte with your move out here! :)
I have been eating my own heavy breakfasts (usually lentils, eggs, and veggies) which is not what Italians eat (cigarette coffee and maybe a small cookie). I have adapted to the strict mealtimes fine but NOT what is in my meal 😂.
Haha, I feel you Brenna! I resisted the Spanish breakfast tostada for soo long and opted for kefir, chia seed pudding, etc for breakfast but have to admit I've finally just given in and now really look forward to my tostadas!
"Most true Spanish restaurants will close between lunch and dinner."
This is true. I worked in restaurant kitchens in Spain for three years and I hated it. It makes your working life endless. I'd rather have 8-hour shifts and more personnel, than two 4-hour shifts that become 6-hours and take your day from 10am to 1am.
The tapeo/poteo is nice, for the social bonds it creates, and at least it only takes place once a day (in the evening).
Yea I have to admit from the server and kitchen staff perspective the workdays must be grueling!
I've lived abroad for 20 years now, but I still do Spanish lunchtime (dinner however has been moved to 8/8:30ish, which is still late for many). This has created some interesting situations when meeting with international friends at times that for me meant we would be having lunch and for them it was just a coffee because they had eaten hours before. Now I always confirm what the eating expectations are to avoid surprises 😂