Are you planning a trip to Spain, but feel a bit uneasy about navigating your shellfish or fish allergy? While this can be intimidating in such a seafood-rich country, it can be done with the right preparation and planning. Read on for important information, tips, and meal ideas for your shellfish free Spain trip. Whether you’re dining in Barcelona, Madrid, or anywhere in between, you’ll walk away feeling prepared and confident, with a list of flavorful shellfish free and fish free cuisines to try.
Curious to learn more about traveling to Spain with food allergies? Head to my blog where you’ll find my Spain food allergy blog post, as well as my blog posts on traveling to Spain while eating gluten free, nut free, egg free, dairy free, and soy free.
Traveling To Spain With Shellfish Allergy Or Fish Allergy
Fish and shellfish are staple ingredients in Spanish cooking. This is especially true in the major cities of Barcelona and Valencia, which are located along the coast. With the abundance of fresh seafood, you’ll find a range of shellfish and fish dishes on menus. While this may seem daunting at first to a food allergy traveler avoiding shellfish or fish, it doesn’t have to deter you from visiting this gorgeous country. If you really want to travel to Spain, understanding that shellfish and fish will be found in many restaurants if you choose to eat out is key to being aware and setting realistic expectations.
In major cities, you can find shellfish free Barcelona or Valencia options by looking for restaurants that offer other cuisines, such as Italian, Mexican, Indian, Brazilian, and more. While these may not be traditional options, sometimes it’s worth feeling comfortable dining out rather than trying to navigate the local Spanish cuisine. Keep in mind, these cuisines still may use shellfish or fish ingredients, so always double-check during your research and again upon arrival. If you are comfortable eating at a restaurant that has shellfish or fish in the kitchen as long as they take the right precautions, you’ll find many other items on the menu.
Tips For Visiting Spain With Shellfish Allergy
Do Your Restaurant Research
Before visiting Spain with shellfish allergy (or fish allergy), be sure to do your restaurant research to find restaurants that are either shellfish and/or fish free, or that can accommodate your needs. This is especially important when traveling to Barcelona with shellfish allergy, as seafood is abundant there. Madrid isn’t as seafood-heavy as Barcelona or other parts of Spain, but always exercise caution when dining out, especially at local places. Cross-contamination is always a big risk with shellfish or fish ingredients in kitchens, so ask about the food allergy protocols of each kitchen. Menus in Spain are legally required to display allergens, but always double-check and ask questions, especially around cross-contamination. It’s also important to ask questions about the stocks and oils that items are cooked in to ensure fish or shellfish aren’t included or cross-contaminated.
Communicate Your Allergen and Needs
Communicating your allergen and dietary needs is crucial when traveling to Spain with shellfish allergy. Always carry your epipen and a food allergy chef card in Spanish to show chefs and restaurant staff. It’s also a good idea to learn a few key phrases in Spanish to help you communicate your food allergies and keep an eye out for them on menus.
A few key phrases to know are:
- Shellfish – mariscos.
- Fish – pescado.
- I’m allergic to seafood – soy alérgico/a a los mariscos.
Book An Accommodation With a Kitchen
Booking an apartment accommodation with a kitchen is a good route to go if you’re looking for added flexibility to prepare some of your own meals and snacks, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to find restaurants that accommodate your needs. This can give you more peace of mind and help you truly enjoy your trip.
Shellfish Free Spain Meal Ideas
It’s helpful to have an idea of shellfish free Spain menu items that you can look for in your research. Keep reading to see a few great options, broken down by meal.
Breakfast
Many breakfast items found in Spain will be shellfish free, but depending on the type of breakfast served, whether American, British, Spanish, etc, you may find some fish or shellfish on menus. Smoked salmon is a big one that many restaurants add to brunch menus or hotel buffets. If you’re staying in a hotel, ask ahead of time if you can request items from the back that are free from shellfish or fish ingredients and cross-contamination. A la carte items are another great option, so long as the kitchen has strict food allergy protocols in place.
Potatoes are a popular ingredient in items like Spanish omelets and Patatas a la Riojana. Always ask about ingredients and cross-contamination, but these are typically shellfish and fish free breakfast options.
Lunch
At lunchtime, shellfish and fish are prevalent in Spanish restaurants, so always ask about kitchen food allergy protocols and cross-contamination protocols before choosing a lunch spot. Having the expectation that you’ll have to navigate fish being in restaurants is important so you can come prepared with questions and make the best decision for you. Grilled meats are popular in Spain, especially steak, duck, and lamb, which are staples in many restaurants. Ask about how they prepare their meats, ensuring it is prepared separately from where shellfish or fish are and that fish or shellfish ingredients aren’t used in any cooking stocks, sauces, or marinades that may be in the recipe. Rice and vegetable dishes are also staples, along with potatoes.
Paella is an iconic Spanish dish that can be made to order free of shellfish and fish. However, many restaurants may turn you away due to the risk of cross-contamination in the oven or kitchen area. Always ask before ordering or order something that can be made separately.
Tapas
Tapas are popular in Spain and are often served as small plates, typically between lunch and dinner or late at night. These can be tricky to navigate as many restaurants create their own recipes and change up the menu often, so it can be harder to research ahead of time. Many Tapas do feature seafood, but you can enjoy shellfish and fish free options like Patatas Bravas, which is made of potatoes, spicy tomato sauce, and spices. I recommend steering clear of buffet-style Tapas, as the risk of cross-contamination or seafood ingredients is just too high.
Dinner
Similar to lunch, shellfish free Spain dinner options will revolve around grilled meats, fresh vegetables and potatoes, and rice dishes. With the addition of traditional Spanish spices, you can still experience the delicious flavors, without the seafood. Again, ask about the presence of fish or shellfish in the kitchen and what their food allergy protocols are. Be extremely cautious about anything fried, as the risk of cross-contamination is high.
After dinner, you can enjoy shellfish and fish free desserts such as Churros, Tarta de Santiago, and Crema Catalina, as long as they are made in a separate kitchen or area of the kitchen than the fish and shellfish.
Spain may be widely known for its fresh seafood, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for those with fish or shellfish allergies to enjoy the flavors and sights of Spain. By knowing what to expect, what questions to ask, and what meal options you can eat, you’ll feel more confident traveling to Spain with a shellfish allergy or fish allergy.
If you’re looking for personalized travel planning and guidance on how to eat shellfish free in Spain, I’m here to help! I offer consultations and full-service travel planning, specific to your allergens and needs. Visit my contact page to learn more!
