From its bustling city tapas bars to its sun-drenched coastal terraces, Spain's restaurant industry is not just serving meals—it's fueling a remarkable economic revival, contributing a hefty 6.8% to the national GDP with a sector that generated over €128 billion in revenue last year.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Spain's restaurant sector generated €128.5 billion in total revenue, representing 6.8% of the national GDP.
- The Spanish hospitality industry, including restaurants, saw a 15.2% year-over-year revenue growth in 2023, reaching €143.7 billion.
- Fast-food restaurants in Spain contributed €12.4 billion to the market in 2022, accounting for 9.6% of total restaurant sales.
- Spain had 278,000 restaurants and bars in 2023.
- Madrid hosts 28,500 restaurants, the highest in Spain, as of 2022.
- Barcelona had over 25,000 foodservice establishments in 2023.
- Spain's restaurant industry employed 1.8 million people in 2023, 9.2% of total workforce.
- Waitstaff positions make up 38% of restaurant jobs, totaling 684,000 in 2022.
- Average salary for restaurant workers in Spain is €18,500 annually in 2023.
- 62% of Spaniards eat out at least once a week in 2023.
- Average spend per visit to restaurants is €25.40 in 2022.
- 78% of consumers prefer Spanish cuisine when dining out in 2023.
- Ghost kitchens operated by 18% of restaurants for delivery in 2023.
- AI menu optimization adopted by 22% of chains in 2023.
- Sustainability certifications held by 31% of restaurants in 2022.
Spain's restaurant industry is thriving with robust revenue and widespread growth.
Consumer Behavior
162% of Spaniards eat out at least once a week in 2023.
Verified2Average spend per visit to restaurants is €25.40 in 2022.
Verified378% of consumers prefer Spanish cuisine when dining out in 2023.
Verified4Online reservations account for 42% of restaurant bookings in urban Spain 2023.
Directional555% of diners use apps for restaurant discovery in 2022.
Single source6Vegetarians represent 12% of restaurant customers, up 4% since 2019.
Verified7Lunch is the most popular meal out at 68% frequency in 2023.
Verified849% of consumers aged 18-34 prioritize sustainability in restaurant choice 2022.
Verified9Average group size for dining out is 3.8 people in Spain 2023.
Directional1071% of tourists dine at restaurants weekly during visits in 2022.
Single source11Price sensitivity led 37% to choose cheaper options in 2023.
Verified1282% value ambiance over food quality in mid-range restaurants 2022.
Verified13Weekend dining peaks at 58% of weekly visits in 2023.
Verified14Delivery orders average €22.10 per transaction in 2022.
Directional15Plant-based menu items ordered by 28% of customers in 2023.
Single source1645% of Spaniards aged 35-54 dine out 2-3 times monthly in 2023.
Verified17Health-conscious diners grew to 39% prioritizing low-calorie options 2022.
Verified18Delivery platforms used by 67% of urban millennials in 2023.
Verified1976% of restaurant visits influenced by social media reviews in 2022.
Directional20Local sourcing preferred by 64% of diners in 2023 surveys.
Single source21Digital payments used in 89% of restaurant transactions 2023.
VerifiedConsumer Behavior Interpretation
The modern Spanish restaurant scene is a deliciously complex tango where over half the nation waltzes out weekly, fiercely loyal to their local cuisine and lunch, yet their hearts—and increasingly their apps—are pulled by the siren songs of social media reviews, plant-based intrigue, and the urgent need for a good photo op, all while their wallets nervously check the bill and their conscience checks for a sustainable table for approximately 3.8 friends.
Employment & Labor
1Spain's restaurant industry employed 1.8 million people in 2023, 9.2% of total workforce.
Verified2Waitstaff positions make up 38% of restaurant jobs, totaling 684,000 in 2022.
Verified3Average salary for restaurant workers in Spain is €18,500 annually in 2023.
Verified452% of restaurant employees are women, highest in service roles at 65% in 2022.
Directional5Temporary contracts represent 32% of hospitality employment in 2023.
Single source6Chefs and cooks number 420,000, with 12% trained via vocational programs in 2022.
Verified7Unemployment rate in restaurant sector was 14.2% in 2023, down from 28% in 2020.
Verified8Part-time workers comprise 25% of the workforce, averaging 24 hours/week in 2023.
Verified9Over 200,000 new jobs created in restaurants post-2022 recovery.
Directional1018-24 year olds hold 22% of restaurant jobs, turnover rate 45% annually in 2022.
Single source11Kitchen staff shortages affected 67% of restaurants in 2023 survey.
Verified12Average tenure for restaurant managers is 7.2 years in Spain 2022.
Verified13Training investment per employee averaged €450 in 2023.
Verified14Immigrants make up 24% of restaurant workforce in 2023.
DirectionalEmployment & Labor Interpretation
Behind the bustling tapas bars and sun-drenched terraces lies an industry precariously balanced on the shoulders of its young, often temporary, and underpaid workforce, where a chronic shortage of skilled chefs persists despite employing nearly one in ten working Spaniards.
Establishments & Locations
1Spain had 278,000 restaurants and bars in 2023.
Verified2Madrid hosts 28,500 restaurants, the highest in Spain, as of 2022.
Verified3Barcelona had over 25,000 foodservice establishments in 2023.
Verified4The number of fast-food outlets in Spain grew to 12,400 in 2022.
Directional5Andalusia region accounted for 22% of Spain's total restaurants with 61,000 venues in 2023.
Single source6Catalonia has 48,200 hospitality businesses, 17% of national total in 2022.
Verified7Average restaurant size in Spain is 150 m², with 45 seats on average in 2023.
Verified8Valencia region has 32,000 bars and restaurants, ranking third nationally in 2022.
Verified965% of Spanish restaurants are independently owned as of 2023.
Directional10Chain restaurants represent 15% of total establishments, totaling 41,700 in 2023.
Single source11Galicia has 18,500 restaurants, focusing on seafood specialties in 2022.
Verified12Basque Country boasts 12,300 high-end restaurants per capita highest in Spain 2023.
Verified13New restaurant openings in Spain totaled 15,200 in 2023, up 8% YoY.
Verified14Closures of restaurants dropped to 9,800 in 2023 from 22,000 in 2020.
Directional15Urban areas account for 72% of all Spanish restaurant locations in 2022.
Single sourceEstablishments & Locations Interpretation
Spain's culinary scene is a robust tapestry where the fierce independence of 65% owner-operated tapas bars coexists with the relentless march of fast-food chains, all woven together by a post-pandemic resurgence that's seeing more doors swing open than shut, particularly in its densely flavorful urban centers.
Market Size & Revenue
1In 2022, Spain's restaurant sector generated €128.5 billion in total revenue, representing 6.8% of the national GDP.
Verified2The Spanish hospitality industry, including restaurants, saw a 15.2% year-over-year revenue growth in 2023, reaching €143.7 billion.
Verified3Fast-food restaurants in Spain contributed €12.4 billion to the market in 2022, accounting for 9.6% of total restaurant sales.
Verified4Full-service restaurants in Spain had a market value of €76.3 billion in 2023, up 10.1% from the previous year.
Directional5The average annual revenue per restaurant in Spain was €450,000 in 2022.
Single source6Spain's restaurant industry turnover increased by 21% in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Verified7In 2023, the casual dining segment generated €34.2 billion, 24% of the total restaurant market.
Verified8Organic food sales in Spanish restaurants grew by 18.7% to €2.1 billion in 2022.
Verified9The profit margin for Spanish restaurants averaged 8.2% in 2023, up from 5.9% in 2021.
Directional10Delivery and takeaway sales in restaurants reached €18.9 billion in 2023, 13% of total revenue.
Single sourceMarket Size & Revenue Interpretation
While Spain's full-service temples of gastronomy may turn up their noses, the post-pandemic reality is that the nation's economic recovery is being fueled as much by casual diners, takeaway boxes, and the occasional guilty-pleasure burger as it is by its celebrated fine dining, proving that a robust appetite for convenience is now as vital to the GDP as a perfectly paired Rioja.
Regional Insights
1In 2023, Andalusia's restaurants generated €28.4 billion, 20% of national total.
Verified2Catalonia's restaurant revenue hit €24.1 billion in 2022, driven by tourism.
Verified3Madrid restaurants earned €22.7 billion in 2023, with 12% growth.
Verified4Valencia Community's sector valued at €15.3 billion in 2022.
Directional5Basque Country restaurants average €450 turnover per venue, highest nationally 2023.
Single source6Galicia's seafood restaurants contribute €8.9 billion annually in 2022.
Verified7Canary Islands saw 25% revenue surge to €12.6 billion in 2023 tourism boom.
Verified8Balearic Islands' beachfront eateries generated €9.4 billion in 2022.
Verified9Castilla y León has 22,000 venues focusing on roast meats, €7.2B revenue 2023.
Directional10Aragon region's tapas bars drive €4.8 billion in sales 2022.
Single source11Murcia's paella specialists add €5.1 billion to local economy 2023.
Verified12Extremadura rural restaurants grew 11% to €2.9B in 2022.
Verified13La Rioja wine-pairing venues revenue €1.7B, per capita leader 2023.
Verified14Castilla-La Mancha tapas scene €6.3B in 2022.
Directional15Asturias cider houses contribute €3.8B, 18,000 jobs 2023.
Single source16Navarre's pintxos bars €2.4B revenue in 2022.
Verified17Cantabria seafood focus yields €3.1B, up 14% 2023.
Verified18Ceuta and Melilla combined €0.8B from border tourism restaurants 2022.
VerifiedRegional Insights Interpretation
While Catalonia serves the tourists and Madrid fuels the business lunches, it’s the salty charm of Andalusia’s tapas bars that quietly brings home the biggest haul, proving Spain’s true national dish is its relentlessly diverse and voracious appetite for eating out.
Trends & Innovations
1Ghost kitchens operated by 18% of restaurants for delivery in 2023.
Verified2AI menu optimization adopted by 22% of chains in 2023.
Verified3Sustainability certifications held by 31% of restaurants in 2022.
Verified4Contactless tech implemented in 92% post-COVID in 2023.
Directional5Plant-based offerings increased 35% on menus since 2020 to 2023.
Single source6Zero-waste kitchens in 14% of fine-dining establishments 2023.
Verified7NFT loyalty programs trialed by 5% of urban restaurants 2023.
Verified8Robotic servers in 8% of Tokyo-inspired spots in Spain 2022.
Verified9Menu engineering software used by 41% of independents 2023.
Directional10Experiential dining events up 27% in bookings 2023.
Single source11Blockchain for supply chain in 12% of premium restaurants 2023.
Verified12Vegan menu sections standard in 56% of chains 2022.
Verified13AR virtual menus trialed in 9% of tourist areas 2023.
Verified14Energy-efficient appliances adopted by 68% amid 2023 crisis.
Directional15Pop-up collaborations between chefs rose 40% in 2023.
Single source16Data analytics for personalization in 33% of large chains 2022.
Verified17Fermentation techniques on 24% of avant-garde menus 2023.
Verified18Subscription meal plans offered by 16% of urban eateries 2023.
Verified19Biodegradable packaging in 77% of takeaways 2022.
Directional20Voice ordering via assistants in 11% of app-integrated spots 2023.
Single source21Hyper-local sourcing apps used by 29% of farm-to-table venues 2023.
VerifiedTrends & Innovations Interpretation
While nearly all Spanish restaurants now embrace contactless tech and biodegradable packaging, they are also quietly plotting a culinary revolution from ghost kitchens, engineering menus with AI, and flirting with blockchain, robots, and NFTs, proving the industry is as adept at survival as it is at surprising us.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2HOSTELERIADESPAINhosteleriadespain.comVisit source
- Reference 3EUROMONITOReuromonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 4IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 5CAIXABANKRESEARCHcaixabankresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 6MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 7MERCASAmercasa.esVisit source
- Reference 8FEHRfehr.esVisit source
- Reference 9INEine.esVisit source
- Reference 10AJUNTAMENTajuntament.barcelona.catVisit source
- Reference 11JUNTADEANDALUCIAjuntadeandalucia.esVisit source
- Reference 12GENCATgencat.catVisit source
- Reference 13HOSTELERIANEWShostelerianews.esVisit source
- Reference 14GVAgva.esVisit source
- Reference 15ALIMARKETalimarket.esVisit source
- Reference 16XUNTAxunta.galVisit source
- Reference 17EUSKADIeuskadi.eusVisit source
- Reference 18MINTELmintel.comVisit source
- Reference 19DATOSMACROdatosmacro.expansion.comVisit source
- Reference 20MTEMmtem.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 21SEPEsepe.esVisit source
- Reference 22FORMACIONPROFESIONALformacionprofesional.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 23EPDATAepdata.esVisit source
- Reference 24RANDSTADrandstad.esVisit source
- Reference 25FUNCESPfuncesp.orgVisit source
- Reference 26NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 27KANTARkantar.comVisit source
- Reference 28THEFORKthefork.comVisit source
- Reference 29APPANNIEappannie.comVisit source
- Reference 30SIMPLYMARKETsimplymarket.esVisit source
- Reference 31IPSOSipsos.comVisit source
- Reference 32DATOSdatos.covid19.cnmc.esVisit source
- Reference 33UNWTOunwto.orgVisit source
- Reference 34GFKgfk.comVisit source
- Reference 35NPDnpd.comVisit source
- Reference 36JUST-EATjust-eat.esVisit source
- Reference 37GLOVOAPPglovoapp.comVisit source
- Reference 38TRIPADVISORtripadvisor.esVisit source
- Reference 39IZETTLEizettle.comVisit source
- Reference 40GASTROECONOMYgastroeconomy.comVisit source
- Reference 41NFCWnfcw.comVisit source
- Reference 42TECHNOMICtechnomic.comVisit source
- Reference 43MICHELINmichelin.esVisit source
- Reference 44COINDESKcoindesk.comVisit source
- Reference 45ROBOTICSBUSINESSREVIEWroboticsbusinessreview.comVisit source
- Reference 46TOUCHBISTROtouchbistro.comVisit source
- Reference 47EVENTBRITEeventbrite.esVisit source
- Reference 48IBMibm.comVisit source
- Reference 49HAPPYCOWhappycow.netVisit source
- Reference 50AUGMENTaugment.comVisit source
- Reference 51IDESCATidescat.catVisit source
- Reference 52ELCONFIDENCIALelconfidencial.comVisit source
- Reference 53SALESFORCEsalesforce.comVisit source
- Reference 5450BEST50best.comVisit source
- Reference 55SUBBLYsubbly.coVisit source
- Reference 56ECOVIDRIOecovidrio.esVisit source
- Reference 57ALEXAalexa.comVisit source
- Reference 58TOOGOODTOGOtoogoodtogo.esVisit source
- Reference 59MADRIDmadrid.orgVisit source
- Reference 60GOBIERNODECANARIASgobiernodecanarias.orgVisit source
- Reference 61CAIBcaib.esVisit source
- Reference 62ESTADISTICAestadistica.jcyl.esVisit source
- Reference 63ARAGONaragon.esVisit source
- Reference 64CARMcarm.esVisit source
- Reference 65JUNTAEXjuntaex.esVisit source
- Reference 66LARIOJAlarioja.orgVisit source
- Reference 67JCCMjccm.esVisit source
- Reference 68ASTURIASasturias.esVisit source
- Reference 69NAVARRAnavarra.esVisit source
- Reference 70CANTABRIAcantabria.esVisit source