https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Spain is long-established as one of the world's major orange producers, but a combination of factors mean that 'naranjas' from South Africa, Morocco and Egypt increasingly line Spanish supermarket shelves. https://www.thelocal.es/20260918/why-does-citrus-producing-spain-import-so-many-oranges Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:07:36 +0200 why-does-citrus-producing-spain-import-so-many-oranges An American tourist who packed his suitcase full of chorizo, fuet and other Spanish cold meats has been fined €500 at Seattle Airport upon returning from Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20260918/american-tourist-fined-for-entering-us-with-nearly-9-kg-of-spanish-meats Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:23:56 +0200 american-tourist-fined-for-entering-us-with-nearly-9-kg-of-spanish-meats Spaniards may prefer to meet friends at bars and restaurants to eat and drink but for many foreigners who are used to barbecuing in their home countries the question remains: is it legal to have a barbecue in your Spanish home? https://www.thelocal.es/20190731/is-it-legal-to-have-a-barbecue-at-home-or-outdoors-in-spain Wed, 31 Jul 2019 08:57:43 +0200 is-it-legal-to-have-a-barbecue-at-home-or-outdoors-in-spain A recent article in The New York Times claimed Spaniards are no longer eating out as late as they famously do. The Local's reporter and travel writer Esme Fox sets out to unearth if there's any truth to this. https://www.thelocal.es/20260904/is-it-true-10pm-dinners-in-spain-are-dying-out Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:14:32 +0200 is-it-true-10pm-dinners-in-spain-are-dying-out Have you ever come across some of these 'unusual' fruits and vegetables in Spain? They may surprise you because they're not eaten in many other places. https://www.thelocal.es/20260828/11-fruit-and-vegetables-eaten-in-spain-that-arent-common-elsewhere Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:51:15 +0200 11-fruit-and-vegetables-eaten-in-spain-that-arent-common-elsewhere We asked our readers what they think of Spanish crisp or chip flavours and how they compare to flavours back in their home countries. When it comes to the crunch, are you more jamón serrano (cured ham) flavour or fried egg? https://www.thelocal.es/20260827/nothing-beats-ready-salted-your-views-on-crisp-flavours-in-spain Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:42:58 +0200 nothing-beats-ready-salted-your-views-on-crisp-flavours-in-spain It's not that common to ask for tap water in Spain, but if you do, are bars and restaurants allowed to charge you for it? What about if you're not a customer? https://www.thelocal.es/20260826/can-they-charge-you-for-tap-water-in-spain Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:21:12 +0200 can-they-charge-you-for-tap-water-in-spain Tapas are an intrinsic part of Spanish eating culture, consisting of small plates of food shared with friends or family along with drinks. There are some fascinating theories about how this typically Spanish way of dining came to be. https://www.thelocal.es/20250725/what-are-the-origins-of-spains-tapas Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:14:18 +0200 what-are-the-origins-of-spains-tapas Professional jamón cutters, fresh orange juice machines, unrefrigerated milk and eggs, and no rush whatsoever - there are plenty of surprises (many of them pleasant) that Americans face when they start food shopping in Spain, writes Jennifer Lutz. https://www.thelocal.es/20260806/warm-milk-what-shocks-americans-about-grocery-shopping-in-spain Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:46:41 +0200 warm-milk-what-shocks-americans-about-grocery-shopping-in-spain If the summer heat is making you lose your appetite, these delicious Spanish food and drink specialties will help fill you up whilst keeping you cool. ¡Buen provecho! (Enjoy your meal). https://www.thelocal.es/20190604/how-to-eat-and-drink-to-stay-cool-in-the-spanish-summer Tue, 04 Jun 2019 09:51:22 +0200 how-to-eat-and-drink-to-stay-cool-in-the-spanish-summer Food trucks have become trendy, sought-after additions to festivals and events in Spain. If you're interested in setting up your own food truck in Spain, here's everything you need to know, from the legal requirements to some tips. https://www.thelocal.es/20230317/what-are-the-rules-for-setting-up-a-food-truck-in-spain Fri, 17 Mar 2023 16:26:06 +0100 what-are-the-rules-for-setting-up-a-food-truck-in-spain Spain's most popular supermarket has announced that it will be open for longer in areas of high-tourist concentration during the peak summer months, closing later on weekdays and opening on Sundays. https://www.thelocal.es/20260603/mercadona-to-open-on-sundays-over-summer-in-spains-tourist-areas Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:17:46 +0200 mercadona-to-open-on-sundays-over-summer-in-spains-tourist-areas If you fancy yourself green-fingered or live in an apartment without access to your own outdoor space, you'll find that Spain has many urban gardens and allotments that you can potentially join. https://www.thelocal.es/20220602/how-to-get-involved-with-urban-gardens-in-spain Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:49:51 +0200 how-to-get-involved-with-urban-gardens-in-spain If you live in Spain or come here regularly on holiday, you’ll probably have noticed that Monday is the day when many bars and restaurants stay closed and you have far fewer options than any other day of the week. But why is this? https://www.thelocal.es/20241015/why-do-many-bars-and-restaurants-in-spain-close-on-mondays Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:47:23 +0200 why-do-many-bars-and-restaurants-in-spain-close-on-mondays Terraces are popular throughout the year in Spain, but it’s the summer season when they really come alive. In a historic new agreement, this could all be set to change. https://www.thelocal.es/20260428/spains-bar-and-restaurant-terraces-to-close-during-heatwaves Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:59:46 +0200 spains-bar-and-restaurant-terraces-to-close-during-heatwaves One of the best ways to integrate into life in Spain is to buy your fruit and veg at your local greengrocer in Spain, called a 'frutería'. Follow our tips on how to shop at them. https://www.thelocal.es/20260424/a-guide-to-shopping-at-your-local-fruit-and-veg-store-in-spain Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:29:57 +0200 a-guide-to-shopping-at-your-local-fruit-and-veg-store-in-spain Spain may be better known for its wines than its beers, but it has some excellent varieties to choose from. Here's what 'cerveza' to order in different parts of the country. https://www.thelocal.es/20260413/cervezas-the-beer-to-order-in-different-regions-of-spain Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:30:28 +0200 cervezas-the-beer-to-order-in-different-regions-of-spain Spain's new law to help reduce food waste came fully into force on April 3rd 2026. Here's how it'll affect you, from being able to ask for doggy bags at all restaurants to getting great supermarket deals on 'ugly' but perfectly good fruit and veg. https://www.thelocal.es/20250408/seven-key-points-from-spains-new-food-waste-law Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:53:18 +0200 seven-key-points-from-spains-new-food-waste-law Low wages, chronically high unemployment and rising prices never seem to prevent Spaniards from enjoying drinks and meals out with friends and family. New data illustrates how much importance Spaniards give to these eating rituals. https://www.thelocal.es/20260325/152-times-a-year-the-stats-that-show-spaniards-love-for-eating-out Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:21:14 +0100 152-times-a-year-the-stats-that-show-spaniards-love-for-eating-out If eating and drinking what the locals have and paying the right price for it matters to you, there are several tell tale signs that certain restaurants in Spain are tourist traps and only in it for the money. https://www.thelocal.es/20240708/how-to-spot-restaurants-in-spain-that-are-tourist-traps Mon, 08 Jul 2024 09:46:00 +0200 how-to-spot-restaurants-in-spain-that-are-tourist-traps