"Colonial" cuisines in Spain?

History Traveler, I don't know about food, but the Museo de America in Madrid is wonderful. Avenida Reyes Catolicos 6.

I’m sure can be found, but it’s definitely not part of the culinary experience, like in those other countries. If anything, it’s a newer wave—there’s passable Mexican in Madrid now, but I remember being truly disappointed 20 years ago.

I’d guess that it’s connected to the fact that Spain’s colonial history is older, and longer past. Their connection to the new world was already waining as other Europeans were more formally establishing their African and Asian colonies.

That's a really good point @Scudder -- most of my examples are definitely later. Still, as you say, most major cities are becoming more and more international with their food scenes. It might be fun to try some "New World" in the "Old World" ... if it is done well, of course!

An interesting notion. I am not sure if the same thing applies so much to Spain though, as our colonial empire was done away with in the 19th century, before mass reverse-migration took off. Compared to the British, Dutch, Portuguese, and French who maintained their colonies well into the mid 20th century.

I have seen some Latin American restaurants in Barcelona, they looked pretty authentic, as they are geared for recent post-colonial Latino immigrant communities, never had the chance to try them. Actually un like the other "Colonial" cuisines you reference, Spanish and Latin American and Filipino cuisines share a lot of overlap, like empanadas, cocidos, various sausages, flan, lechón (suckling pig), churros, and "paella-like" rice dishes to name a few.

You will also find other ethnic cuisines in most of Spain's major cities, Chinese, Moroccan, Pakistani from more recent immigration. For example in Zaragoza, I once had an excellent Chinese meal at Restaurante Cielo Dragón.

Interestingly many beloved decades old Bar-Restaurantes in working-class Barcelona are now run by Chinese immigrants, who sometimes cook authentic Spanish food better than the locals lol!

@Carlos. As always, helpful and interesting! You and @Scudder helped me realize the flaw in my comparisons between a 19th century colonial experience, and one that stretched well into the 20th century. And yes, Spanish cuisine is already a "fusion" cuisine between old and new worlds -- before we called it that and made it trendy! :-)

I have seen some Latin American restaurants in Barcelona, they looked pretty authentic, as they are geared for recent post-colonial Latino immigrant communities, never had the chance to try them.

If you can remember any names, we'd be curious to try at least one.

If you can remember any names, we'd be curious to try at least one.

Well, it was a few years ago, when I was still living in Barcelona. It is a bit outside the main tourist thoroughfare, but I remember there was a Colombian café called El Arepazo, in the working-class barrio called Sagrada Familia, close to my apartment. A quick google search show it's still around - http://www.elarepazo.es/

I have never eaten there, so I can't say anything about the food or service. I'm sure they will be stunned to see some foreigner tourists so far away from the main tourist zone lol! It's about a 10 min walk north from the Sagrada Familia Basilica, opposite the old 19th century Estrella Damm Brewery.