Tapas has taken over the world and Cadiz claims to be its birthplace. That may or may not be true, but what can’t be disputed is that Cadiz has some great Tapas joints you’re sure to love!
Foodie Cadiz
Tapas
Little plates or snacks served to accompany a drink are called Tapas in Spain. These days, it seems every city around the world has at least one Tapas joint. But, this region of Spain called Andalucía, and Cadiz specifically, lays claim to the invention of Tapas.
Of course there’s no way to determine definitively where the idea of Tapa came from, but Cadiz makes a pretty good case.
Cadiz, being on the Atlantic Ocean, is a sandy and windy place. And a sandy glass of Sherry isn’t appetizing. So, bartenders began placing a slice of cured meat on top of the glass. This served a dual purpose. First, it kept the drink sand-free. Second, the salty meat made customers thirsty for more Sherry. A win-win!
This topping on the glass (Tapa in Spanish) became popular when King Alfonso XIII (1886-1941) was supposedly passing through Cadiz and was served his drink with a slice of Jamon (cured pork) on top of his glass. After that, King Alf ordered another glass “con la tapa,” or with “with the top.”