The Real Spanish Guide to…Sobremesa

Sobremesa Image by: Señor Parker’s

In Spanish culture, food is about so much more that just eating. A good meal is nothing without great conversation and real quality time. Forget about TV dinners or dining and dashing, the tradition of sobremesa is all about sitting back after a meal and enjoying the company of your fellow diners (and setting the world to rights, if that’s your thing!). If you love Spanish food culture, here’s a little more information about this wonderful Spanish post-culinary custom.

The roots of sobremesa

The word sobremesa literally breaks down into sobre “on top of” + mesa “the tabletop”. If you were to enjoy a conversation following dinner you might say that you have a wonderful charla de sobremesa! This post-meal period is held as next to sacred by many Spaniards. It can last from 10 minutes to many long hours of conversation, fuelled by plenty of coffee, wine and other beverages.

Time isn’t money

This laid-back, languid approach to dining is pretty unusual in the US. As we lead increasingly busy, pressurized lives, it can feel like there isn’t much time for idle chit-chat, yet in Spanish culture, sobremesa is so important. It isn’t just about passing the time, it’s about reveling in each other’s company and taking the time to enjoy real connection with your friends, family and acquaintances.

Organic conversation

Like all things Spanish, sobremesa isn’t a formalized affair. Sombremesas aren’t planned, they just happen, lasting as long as the natural flow of conversation. This can be baffling to non-Spanish diners who see a meal as a set period and often want to know when the meal will end so that they can make their excuses!

A family affair

And it’s not just meals in restaurants which are rounded off with sobremesa. Families practice this art of after-dinner discussion in the home too. It’s a really rich tradition which gives families time to really talk to each other, learn about each other and grow closer as a unit. This is something which is often seen as lacking in many modern cultures, where families rarely have the opportunity or make time to sit down and really get to know one another. It’s all part of the strong interpersonal relationships and family units the Spanish famously cultivate.

If you’d like to enjoy beautiful Spanish food and practice your very own sombemesa, Ataula are always happy to oblige! With a divine selection of cheeses, wines and coffees available, we have the perfect recipe for long, fruitful post-dinner conversations. Reserve your table at Portland’s top authentic Spanish restaurant today on 503-894-8904 or right here online.