One of the first things visitors notice in Andalusia is that dinner seems to start incredibly late. At 8:00 pm restaurants are still quiet, while locals often don’t sit down for dinner until 10:00 pm or even later. So why do Spaniards eat so late?
Part of the answer lies in Andalusia’s warm climate. Traditionally, people started work early in the morning and took a long break during the hottest hours of the day. Daily life naturally shifted towards the cooler evenings, and mealtimes moved with it.
There is also an interesting historical reason. Geographically, Spain should share the same time zone as Portugal and the United Kingdom. However, in 1940 the country adopted Central European Time, moving the clock one hour ahead of its natural solar time. As a result, when Andalusians sit down for dinner at 10:00 pm, it feels closer to 9:00 pm according to the position of the sun.
Today, lunch remains the most important meal of the day and is often enjoyed between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Dinner is usually lighter and more social, with friends and family gathering around the table long after sunset, the so-called ‘sobremesa’. Meals are not rushed; they are moments to connect, talk and enjoy life.
During your stay at Casa Lima, why not embrace the local rhythm? Explore the many restaurants and tapas bars in Alhaurín el Grande, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and experience dinner the Andalusian way.
You may arrive wondering why everyone eats so late – but leave wishing you could do the same at home.