Spain is a country that takes great pride in its traditional Christmas food, with a wide range of sweet treats and delicious meals enjoyed throughout the festive period. But if you’re planning on spending Christmas in Spain this year and still fancy some traditional British food, we’ve got you covered. So, can you get British food in Spain? And if so, where? While Spain has its own selection of wonderful Christmas food, sometimes there’s nothing like a good old British turkey dinner and some mince pies. From traditional turkey and stuffing, to gammon, gravy, mince pies and everyone’s favourite tins of sweets, this is where to find British food staples in Spain this Christmas.
Brexit and customs rules and bringing food to Spain
While in the past Brits managed to fill their suitcases and bring their favourite British Christmas ingredients and treats back to Spain, Brexit and new customs rules have made this more complicated and in some cases impossible. Britons can no longer import animal-derived products from the UK into the EU, even if these are only in small quantities or for personal use.T his means that things such as mincemeat jars, Christmas pudding and even chocolates and custard aren’t as readily available as they used to be.
Buy British food in Spain
Depending on which part of Spain you live in, you’ll be able to find more or less British food for sale. In coastal areas such as the Costa del Sol, Murcia and Alicante, where there is a large British expat community, it will be much easier to find British food, including special shops and butchers that sell only British goods.
British butchers in Spain
One of the main Christmas ingredients that Brits in Spain will be after is meat, turkey and gammon to be precise. While some Spanish butchers will stock these cuts, it isn’t always the case. However, there are also British butchers in Spain that have everything from traditional Christmas meat to good old British sausages and bacon. One such example is the British Butcher, a family owned business located in the Benavista area of the Costa del Sol that specialises in British meats and homemade products. And fear not if you don’t happen to live nearby, as home delivery is available throughout Spain.
British supermarkets in Spain
First things first, are there any Tesco stores in Spain? Those who live in southern Spain are in luck, as there are 4 supermarkets in Spain called The Food Co. that are supplied by Tesco. With stores in Ciudad Quesada (Alicante), Puerto de Mazarrón (Murcia), Mijas/Fuengirola (Malaga) and Gibraltar, The Food Co. aim is to bring loved British brands to British expats in Spain, stocking over 7,500 products that are sure to bring that little taste of home to Spain.
Brits close to Marbella will also be able to pay a visit to the Marks and Spencer food hall in La Cañada shopping centre, which although small in size, always stocks some British favourites throughout the year, and especially at Christmas time.
However, if you don’t live near one of Spain’s British supermarkets on the costas, there are other options. Some bigger Spanish supermarkets often have an international food section and in many cases there is a small selection of British products. This includes Carrefour, which often stocks things such as mince pies, as well as El Corte Inglés which has a gourmet food section often including some British Christmas treats, and Hipercor which also often stocks things like mince pies and even Christmas crackers. A considerable number of Spanish cities, both on the coast and inland, are also home to Dealz, the Spanish branch of poundland, which always stocks a range of British Christmas products.
Online British supermarkets that deliver to Spain
Another option is shopping online this Christmas. In the same way that animal-derived products can no longer be important from the UK into the EU, there are some online companies that have found a way round this and sell British groceries online, albeit at often elevated prices. One example is the British Corner Shop, which supplies Brits abroad with a wide range of British treats from popular British brands and supermarkets, including Cadbury’s and M&S. From mince pies and mincemeat to Christmas puddings, stuffing, gravy granules, cranberry sauce, Christmas crackers, selection boxes and more, you’ll be spoilt for choice when choosing British Christmas food to be delivered to Spain.
Can you get mince pies in Spain?
Mince pies in Spain are widely available in British supermarkets, as well as online and in some large Spanish supermarkets, such as Carrefour and Hipercor, as well as in El Corte Inglés and Dealz. Alternatively, if you can get your hands on some mincemeat, you can make your own mince pies in Spain this Christmas, and impress your Spanish friends with this delicious Christmas treat.
British Christmas dinner in Spain: pubs and restaurants
For those who want to enjoy a good old Christmas turkey dinner in Spain but don’t fancy cooking, there are also pubs and restaurants in Spain that serve up a British Christmas dinner. In areas of Spain such as the Costa del Sol, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with restaurants such as The Carvery Company standing out. For those spending Christmas in Madrid, we also recommend the James Joyce Irish Pub, which won’t disappoint with its traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, as well as serving Sunday roasts on a weekly basis all year round.
