If you live or work in Spain, the menú del día ("menu of the day") is probably one of the country's best food traditions. Every lunchtime, thousands of restaurants offer a full meal at a fixed price that rarely goes above €15. But where does this custom come from? What exactly does it include? And most importantly: how do you find the best menú del día near you?
What exactly the menú del día is
The menú del día is a set meal that Spanish restaurants put together every working day (and some on weekends too). It's a complete lunch that usually includes:
- Starter: salad, soup, cream, pasta or pulses
- Main course: meat, fish or a main dish
- Dessert or coffee: flan, fruit, ice cream or coffee
- Drink: water, a soft drink, beer or a glass of wine
- Bread: included in the price
All of it for a fixed price that typically runs between €12 and €18, depending on the area and type of restaurant.
A tradition with history
The menú del día originated in a 1964 ministerial order during the Franco era, which required restaurants to offer an affordable meal for workers. What began as a regulation ended up becoming one of the hallmarks of Spanish gastronomy.
Today, even though the legal obligation no longer exists, the custom has stuck because it benefits everyone:
- For the diner: home-style, varied and affordable food every day
- For the restaurant: a steady flow of lunchtime customers and efficient kitchen management
- For society: a proper break to eat well that encourages social life
How much it costs on average in Spain
Prices vary by city and neighborhood, but these are the usual ranges:
| City | Average price |
|---|---|
| Central Madrid | €15–19 |
| Central Barcelona | €14–18 |
| Valencia | €12–16 |
| Seville | €13–17 |
| Towns and rural areas | €10–14 |
In many office districts, the menú del día is still the cheapest and most nourishing way to eat out.
How to spot a good menú del día
Not all menús del día are equal. These are the signs of a quality one:
Variety on the menu
A good restaurant offers at least 3–4 options per course and changes them often. If you see the same menu week after week, it's probably not the best choice.
Fresh, seasonal produce
The best menús del día work with market produce. Look for seasonal ingredients: artichokes in winter, gazpacho in summer, mushrooms in autumn.
Value for money
An €11 menu with well-executed dishes is worth more than a mediocre €16 one. Price isn't always a sign of quality.
The atmosphere and service
A menú del día is best enjoyed somewhere you feel comfortable. Quick service is key when you've got an hour for lunch.
The problem: finding up-to-date menús del día
This is where things get complicated. Most restaurants:
- Don't publish their menu online, or do so irregularly
- Use Instagram stories that vanish in 24 hours
- Have outdated websites with menus from months ago
- Write the menu on a chalkboard you only see if you walk past
The result: every lunchtime, millions of people in Spain wonder "where should we eat today?" without reliable information about what nearby restaurants are offering.
How Appetece solves this
Appetece was created precisely to solve this problem. It's a platform where you can:
- See the menús del día of restaurants near you, updated every day
- Compare prices and dishes at a glance
- Filter by location, cuisine or price
- Save your favorites so you never lose that restaurant you loved
- Get notifications when your favorite restaurant posts a dish you like
The idea is simple: all the information you need to decide where to eat, in one place and always up to date.
Restaurants with a menú del día right now
Here are some of the top-rated restaurants on Appetece right now:
Madrid
Cafetería Santa Isabel
Restaurante Mi causa
Petit Azca. Bernabéu - Bar Restaurante con Terraza en Madrid
Data updated in real time from Appetece
Barcelona
Etama
Desoriente Eixample
Desoriente Eixample
Data updated in real time from Appetece
Tips to make the most of the menú del día
- Go early: the best dishes run out. Between 1:00 and 1:30 pm is the sweet spot.
- Ask for the dish of the day: many restaurants have a special that isn't on the written menu.
- Explore your area: don't always stick to the same spot. Sometimes the best menu is two streets away.
- Value the whole package: bread, drink and dessert included add a lot to the final price.
- Tip if you enjoyed it: a euro or two makes a difference for the front-of-house team.
The menú del día is much more than a cheap lunch. It's a tradition that reflects the Spanish culture of sitting down to eat well, calmly and at a fair price. And with tools like Appetece, finding the perfect menu every day is easier than ever.
Want to discover the best menús del día near you? Explore Appetece and find your next favorite meal. For prices by region, see how much a menú del día costs in Spain.