One of the most popular culinary traditions that stems from Spain is the delightful tapas. This tradition of serving small plates of food has become synonymous with casual dining all around the world, as many restaurants offer a wide selection of tapas to go with their popular drinks. Tapas is not just about small portions of food; it's an experience, a social event, and a chance to taste a variety of dishes in one sitting. These tiny dishes come in a range of shapes and types, offering a world of colours, flavours, and textures that are as visually appealing as they are tasty.

Classic Shapes, Classic Flavours

The first type of tapas that many people think of are the classics: small plates filled with olives, slivers of cheese, cured meats, and chunks of crusty bread. These tapas are often round or oval, mirroring the shape of the plate they're served on. The perfect example of this is the "Banderillas", a skewer of pickles, onions, peppers, olives, and sometimes even a piece of anchovy. Their colourful appearance is as delightful to the eye as they are to the taste buds.

To serve tapas such as Banderillas, cheeses, cured meats, or crusty bread, we have an extensive selection of colours, finishes, and sizes to choose from. From sleek black ceramic dishes, to aqua blue porcelain dishes, Cooksmill’s selection of classic tapas dishes allows you to choose the right one for your home or restaurant decor and aesthetic.

Miniature Masterpieces

Other types of tapas take the form of miniature versions of more substantial dishes. Paella can be transformed into a tiny, perfectly formed serving, presented in a petite bowl or ramekin. Here, the traditional wide, shallow shape is maintained, but everything is miniaturised, offering a delightful harmony between presentation and taste. Another miniature delight is the "Montadito", a small bread roll filled with ingredients like ham or tuna. This is essentially a mini sandwich that makes a perfect bite.

Our selection of rustic oven-to-tabletop tapas dishes is perfect for serving smaller portions of classic dishes such as Paella. These dishes can withstand high temperatures allowing you to finish them off in the oven, before serving them piping hot for maximum flavour.

For serving miniaturised versions of classics such as Montadito, our mini 8cm terracotta tapas dishes are the perfect serving vessel. These dishes perfectly hold mini bites of bread, while also looking exceptional. The terracotta adds a rustic charm, to tapas dishes that further enhance the tapas experience.

The Art of the Bowl

Tapas served in small bowls present a whole new realm of shapes and flavours. “Gazpacho”, a chilled tomato-based soup, is an excellent example of this. Its bright red colour and chunky texture served in a rounded bowl provide a delightful contrast to the other tapas on the table. Similarly, "Patatas Bravas", a favourite among Spanish locals and British tapas lovers alike, consists of cubes of crispy fried potatoes served in a bowl, topped with a spicy tomato sauce.

The perfect bowl for these dishes is the Murra honey tapas bowl, also available in a dark ash colour. The bowl shape and high-rise walls of these dishes make them perfect for serving sauce or soup-based tapas dishes as they contain every bit of flavour and offer an easier way to enjoy traditional tapas staples.

Spoonful of Delights

Some types of tapas are so rich and decadent, that they're served in a tiny spoon, just enough for a tantalising mouthful. These are often seafood-based, like a perfect mouthful of Galician-style octopus, or a spoonful of garlic shrimp. The spoon shape highlights the preciousness of these bites, while the flavour profiles that are typically earthy, spicy, or briny, provide a satisfying contrast to simpler, more rustic tapas.

Cooksmill stocks the perfect serving vessel for these types of tapas dishes where a spoonful is all you need to enjoy the rich flavours. Our Fjord tapas spoon has a sleek design and a curved handle that can easily sit on the table or serving board, ensuring a stable platform to hold the spoon up. We also offer the Orly tapas spoon which has a similar design and a sturdy curved handle to ensure a steady display for your tapas.

A Symphony of Shapes and Tastes

Tapas are as varied and vibrant as Spain itself. From the classic circles of olives and Spanish omelette to the elongated lines of Spanish padrón peppers, the geometric squares of crusty bread topped with ingredients like blue cheese and cured meats, or the irregular shapes of meatballs in a tangy tomato sauce, the shapes and types of tapas are a delectable feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

The world of tapas is rich, diverse, and endlessly fascinating. It's a culinary adventure that deserves stunning dishes to be served on. That’s why Cooksmill stocks a wide range of high-quality tapas dishes to choose from. Our selection of dishes allows you to enjoy the tapas experience, the joy of sharing, and the celebration of variety.