S2, Ep : 72. What is "Menu del dia" in Spain.

S2, Ep : 72. What is "Menu del dia" in Spain.

Author: Spanish Loops January 29, 2025 Duration: 25:03

This week in Spanish Loops, we talk about the quintessential Spanish culinary tradition known as the "Menú del Día." Established in 1965 under a law enacted during Francisco Franco's regime, the Menú del Día was initially introduced as the "menú turístico", (tourist menu) to promote tourism. 

This legislation mandated that restaurants offer a fixed-price midday meal, ensuring both tourists and local workers had access to affordable and nutritious lunch options.

Traditionally available during lunchtime on working days, the Menú del Día typically includes three courses: a starter (primer plato), a main course (segundo plato), and a dessert (postre). Often, a beverage such as water, wine, or beer is included, and some establishments may also offer dessert and/or coffee to conclude the meal. This format not only provides a hearty meal but also reflects the Spanish custom of enjoying a substantial lunch, known as "la comida," which is the main meal of the day.

Over the decades, the Menú del Día has become a tradition in Spanish restaurants, particularly during working days lunchtimes. It offers lunches with a  variety of choices at reasonable prices, making it a popular option among both locals and visitors seeking to experience authentic Spanish cuisine. 

Despite changes in meals habits and economic conditions, the Menú del Día remains a cherished institution, embodying our rich culinary heritage and commitment to communal gatherings.


Join Fran and Jorge, two seasoned tour guides whose enthusiasm for Spain is genuinely infectious. Their Spanish Loops podcast feels like pulling up a chair at a lively tapas bar for a long, meandering conversation. Forget dry recitations of dates and names; here, you get the vibrant layers of a country built on crossroads. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific loop-a theme that could be anything from the haunting history woven into a flamenco verse to the surprising science behind perfect paella. They move seamlessly between the ancient stones of Roman roads and the pulsing energy of a modern Madrid neighborhood, always with a guide’s eye for the telling detail and the human story. You’ll hear about curious traditions, personal anecdotes from the road, and those little-known facts that most guidebooks miss. The aim is to create a rich, sensory experience through your headphones, one that captures the warmth, complexity, and sheer joy of Spanish life. Listening to this podcast is less about passive learning and more about being swept up in a shared passion, leaving you with a fuller understanding and a genuine smile. Fran and Jorge don’t just describe places; they convey the feeling of being there, making every topic, whether grand or everyday, come alive with context and charm.
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