The mayor of Granada in Spain’s Andalucia region has stirred up a new controversy by saying bars in the region should end the popular practice of offering free food with drinks.
While tapas are everywhere in Spain, and a lifesaver for travelers who aren’t used to waiting for restaurants to open in late evening, in Granada, unlike other cities, they have been free with the drinks.
At a recent promotional event for local food with the theme ‘take your time tasting Granada,’ he suggested that the city and its region were sacrificing building a reputation for fine dining by playing up the free food aspect, and pledged that free tapas would never again be part of the promotion strategy.
“Tapas have to be paid for because they are haute cuisine,” Mayor Paco Cuenca told reporters. “We want people to sit down at the table and enjoy small bites of food à la carte which they pay for, this is what is profitable and creates stable work. We have unique food products, magnificent establishments and professionals. We have to believe in what we have and position ourselves where we deserve.”
Should end the practice or must end the practice? Tapas didn’t begin with tourists & I suspect local participants in the tradition might have something to say about being charged.
I’ll be there June 17 to ask… but even not free, tapas in Andalusia are a terrific food experience and bargain!