Eating about 6 pm in Spain

You'll probably find a couple of restaurants open earlier than what's typical in Spain, especially in tourist areas. That's what we found in Segovia, for example...just a few tables of diners in afternoon...Americans. Pizza places are also open all the time. El Corte Ingles department store (huge store...way bigger than Nordstrom, Hudson's Bay Company, etc. but similar) has a great cafeteria with a big menu (similar to Nordstrom Cafe...really a sit down/waiter-waitress type place more than a cafeteria...open all the time). I think they have a fine dining restaurant, too. I know these are in Madrid and Barcelona...not sure about your other destinations. And, of course, tapas are available everywhere all the time.

I found the best strategy was to eat a late large lunch meal. They are usually served until 3PM or so. By 7:30 or so the tapas bars are going strong.

There are any number of streetside sandwich places (look for "bocadillos") and tapas bars open all day. In a pinch, there are also places like McDonald's. In Madrid, you could also eat someplace like VIPS, near the Prado. They have restaurant as well as carryout sandwiches, salads, fruit, etc., all day long.

Lots of places offer tapas or bocadillos as afternoon snack choices. You can make a meal of snacks. While many places do take a siesta break, you can always find something. At 6, you are a little ahead of tapa time, so you may have fewer choices (or have to wander a little further to find something you like) - they usually start putting out fresh tapas around 7 or so. Other choices that always serve food include cafeterias and all the fast food places you would see here: McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, etc. We found bakeries with some meats handy to put together an inexpensive bocadillo for breakfast or snack too. Finally, you can drop into a grocery store (look for Super Mercado, some are more super than others) and buy some meats, cheeses and bread to make your own sandwiches. Add olives, chocolate and a drink for an affordable meal.

In Madrid near Sol, I always could get a sandwiches and full dinners at Museo de Jamon. Also found an Argentine steak place that is open from noon. Nearby is an all-you-can eat buffet restaurant too. Believe me there are many options available in the Sol area including El Corte Ingles. BTW,I found a carton of Sangria at their supermarket for under 1 Euro. If you are interested in the Argentine restaurant or the buffet, I will look for it on the map.

Thanks to all. I didn't want us to appear as ugly Americans. We really do try to blend in (learn from) locals as much as possible.

100 Monteditos and Vips are open continuously, and there are always people eating there. I visited both on my last visit to Madrid.

You'll always be among friends Gayla, and certainly won't appear as "ugly" Americans. We noticed the northern Europeans eating earliest around 5 or 6, followed by the French who arrived at 7 or 8, and when those tables were cleared, the Spanish would arrive around 10. As an American, you can eat whenever you want!

My favorite restaurant in Barcelona did not open until 7pm. We were there when they opened and noticed it was soon filled. It's possible that other people like eating earlier too for whatever reason. True, some were tourist but other young couples seemed to be locals. A tapas bar would be a good
choice and you can try something new along with the locals.

Paula, what was your favorite restaurant and where is it located?

David, It was a lovely ITALIAN restaurant called La Locanda about 1 1/2 blocks from the Cathederal. We were staying at the Colon and enjoyed our first dinner so much we returned two more times. I can't read the address on the receipt but I'm sure you can find it on Trip Advisor. Enjoyed some of the tapas restaurants and the Santa Caterina Market (in the same general area) for picnic food. Don't miss the Palau de la Musica Catalana in the same area. It is a beautiful performance hall and available only by tours (approx.
1 hour);no photos allowed inside.

Thanks, Paula. Assume this is in Barcelona

We are older traveler's also. But since my husband retired we have been eating our main meal about 2:00 or 2:30 and find this is much better for us. We eat very little or nothing at night, (well a glass of wine or a martini), and find this works very well for us for the last 15 years. So you really don't have to eat at 6:00 or later as most Americans tend to believe is the way to eat.

David, La Loconda is about 1 block behind the Hotel Colon. As you come down the stairs of the hotel turn right, then turn right again at the corner of the building. It is about a block and according to Trip Advisor the address is Doctor Joaquim Pou, 4, 08002 Barcelona. A map is also available on Trip
Advisor.

Thanks, Paula.

I would second that eating a large, late lunch as your main meal may be the way to go. Maybe stock up on some cheese and bread and ham for your hotel room in case you get peckish later.

A huge part of why we travel is watching, even engaging other people. Hard to do that from our hotel room. We will probably continue our hard-earned habit of eating a big breakfast, a middling lunch (late, as suggested) and a light bite for supper. A good part of why we travel is eating local foods. Thank you all.