Kitchen times and when to book a table in Spain

Key rules

• Lunch: Lunch is usually served from about 13:00 to 16:00, busiest around 14:00.
• Dinner: Dinner usually starts about 20:30 or 21:00 and ends about 23:00, later in summer and in the south.
• Walk-ins: Tapas bars, cafés and weekday menú del día spots normally take walk-ins.
• Booking: Book Friday and Saturday dinners, Sunday lunch and groups of about six or more.

When kitchens are open

Spanish kitchens run late and in two blocks. Lunch is usually served from about 13:00 to 16:00, and dinner from about 20:30 or 21:00 to 23:00. Many restaurants close their kitchen in the afternoon, so turning up at 17:00 for a full meal often fails.

Times shift a little by place:

• In the north, meals are slightly earlier.
• In summer and in the south, dinner runs later.
• Tourist areas, big cities and chains often open kitchens earlier and keep them open longer. They are your safest bet if you eat on a different schedule.

Finding food between meals

Between about 16:00 and 20:30 you can still eat well. Look for:

• Cafeterías and bars serving bocadillos, tapas, pinchos, raciones, tostadas and pastries.
• Bakeries and pastelerías.
• Restaurants in tourist zones that serve all day.
• Chains, and food courts in shopping centres.
• Cafés in department stores and stations.
• Supermarkets and markets, which sell ready food.

Most of these are in cities and tourist areas. In a small town, expect fewer options in the afternoon.

When to book a table

Book ahead for:

• Friday and Saturday dinner, and Sunday lunch.
• Popular or small restaurants.
• Groups of about six or more.
• Busy periods: Christmas and New Year, Easter, local fiestas, Mother's Day, and August in coastal areas.

Top restaurants and well-known grill or rice restaurants can fill days or weeks ahead, so ask early.

You usually do not need to book for tapas bars, cafés, bars where you eat at the counter, or a weekday menú del día lunch. You just walk in.

How to book

Phone is the most common way. Many places also take WhatsApp. In cities you can use the restaurant's web form or a booking app. Small places often accept a booking in person.

Give your name, the number of people, the time and a phone number. The restaurant may confirm by text or call, so reply. If you cannot come, cancel. Some high-demand places ask for a card deposit, so have a card ready.

The timeline, checklist and questions below give the quick version.

Timeline and deadlines

• Eat lunch, with the busiest time around 14:00: from about 13:00 to 16:00

• Sit down for dinner: from about 20:30 or 21:00 to 23:00, later in summer and in the south

• Go earlier in the north, or in tourist areas, big cities and chains where kitchens open earlier and close later: earlier than the usual lunch and dinner times

Checklist

• Book for popular or small restaurants and for groups of about six or more.

• Call or send a WhatsApp message, or use the restaurant's web form or a booking app in cities.

• Reply to the confirmation text or call if the restaurant sends one.

• Cancel if you cannot come, and have a card ready in case the place asks for a deposit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a proper meal in Spain at 17:00?

Yes, you can get food at 17:00, but usually not a full restaurant meal, because most kitchens are closed between about 16:00 and 20:30. Cafeterías and bars serve bocadillos (sandwiches), tapas and raciones (larger plates to share). Restaurants in tourist areas often serve all day.

Do I need to book a table for a weekday menú del día lunch?

No, you normally do not need to book a weekday menú del día lunch, because these spots are usually walk-in. Tapas bars and cafés are the same, and bars serving at the counter rarely take bookings. Book if you are six or more.

How far ahead should I book a top restaurant?

For top restaurants and well-known grill or rice restaurants, book days or even weeks ahead. Over Christmas, Easter, local fiestas or August on the coast, book earlier than usual.

Can I book a Spanish restaurant by WhatsApp?

Yes, many restaurants accept WhatsApp messages, though a phone call is still the most common way to book. Online booking forms and apps are common in cities. Small places often take bookings in person.