Spain | Who Knew Churros Look Like These?

They say food that conjures up fond memories always tastes better, and churros are a perfect example. Piping hot, sugar-coated churros take me right back to my childhood days at theme parks (who cared for the giant turkey legs?). Those were the kind I expected.

Yet, it turns out they come in all shapes and sizes across Spain. Thick, thin, twisted, straight, sweet, salty… you name it, they’ve got it!

What really stuck a chord with me though, was the simple joy of sitting at a classic café, dipping fresh churros into rich hot chocolate or a bold espresso while the chatter of locals swirled around me. It felt timeless, like a cherished tradition that has stood strong against the rise of trendy brunch spots.

I guess Spain’s iconic fried dough now comes with a whole new set of fond memories for me!

Scroll on for more on the different Spanish churros at the heart of these memories, and find out which was our favourite at the end!

This post is not sponsored & reflects my personal opinions.

Barcelona—The Quintessential Experience

I might be biased since this was our first churreria stop on Spanish soil. However, I daresay churros dreams can be found at Xurreria Trebol (a snug snack shop located mere steps away from the classy Passeig de Gràcia).

Their traditional churros – straight, short, and ridged, with an optional sugar dusting (yes, please) – were fried to perfection, while their subtly sweet chocolate had the ideal consistency for both sipping and dipping.

We also had a filled churro (dulce de leche flavour), but the traditional ones stole the show and no doubt were some of the best churros I’ve ever had!

Zaragoza—Twisty Goodness & Retro Vibes

Charmingly old-fashioned, Churrería La Fama felt like a neighbourhood icon where locals go to read the morning paper or catch up on the latest gossip, and where overseas tourists are a rare sight (after all, Zaragoza is off the beaten path!).

The churros here have a ridged texture too, and come in quirky, twisty shapes that made dunking them into indulgently thick chocolate even more fun.

Quaint atmosphere? Tick. Welcoming staff? Double tick. Scrumptious churros and chocolate? Make that three. This churrería is a true gem!

Granada—Unexpectedly Soft & Airy

In enchanting Granada, I was surprised to find that churros bore a striking similarity with another childhood favourite typically eaten with congee – youtiao! Unlike the ones we had in Barcelona and Zaragoza, these long strips of fried dough were ridge-less, soft and airy. Be sure to eat them soon after they soak up the chocolate, lest they turn soggy!

We had them at the popular and beautifully decorated Gran Cafe Bib-Rambla and again at the lesser-known but equally busy Café Fútbol. The churros were satisfyingly tasty (my partner preferred the latter’s), though I wasn’t so fond of either experience due to the ambience/service. Still, I’m glad we gave them a try.

Cadiz—Thin & Crunchy, Yet Packed with Warmth

As we hovered hesitantly outside Churrería Ana Churros, the owner kindly explained how things work there—they sell takeaway churros by weight, not by piece, and don’t offer hot chocolate; instead, we could take them to any nearby café to enjoy with a beverage. What a contrast to our other experiences!

A friendly local in the queue chimed in to rave about the churros, while the chef also gamely held up a large coil of fried dough to pose for a photo before cutting it up.

We were sold!

We went hunting for a café and eventually settled on Club Social Ayuntamiento. Stepping into their roomy hall, we realised that this must be where locals go (almost every table looked like the photo above). We were the only tourists there and felt like we were in on a secret!

Paired with silky hot chocolate (which had a lighter consistency than what we’ve tried before), the thin, addictively crunchy, and slightly salty golden sticks tasted even more delicious. Spain has surprised us again with yet another churros variation, and we’re all for it!

Our Favourite Experience

It was a tough choice, but our favourite had to be Churrería La Fama! We had the best experience there overall—we felt almost like locals, enjoying freshly made churros for breakfast at the counter of such a quaint churrería, and the kind service made it all the sweeter. It’s a must-visit if you’re in Zaragoza (go in the morning to avoid long queues)!

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