Tapas: which types it suits

Tapas are the small plates eaten alongside a drink in Spanish bars: patatas bravas with a spicy sauce, thick potato tortilla, croquetas, jamón, prawns cooked in garlic oil. The heart of it is not settling in one place but standing at the bar for a plate or two before moving on to the next. In some cities, such as Granada, a small tapa arrives free with each drink, and in the Basque Country pintxos, toppings on slices of bread, play the same role.

People who love it would rather move between places and flavours than hold onto one thing for long. With no booking and no set menu, walking into a crowded bar and choosing from whatever is on the counter tonight is the centre of the evening. The bigger the group, the more plates you can order, and who picks the next bar becomes the conversation. It suits those who enjoy not knowing where the night will go more than a fixed meal.