Dish guides
What are calamares a la romana?
Calamares a la romana are rings of squid dipped in a light batter of flour and egg, deep-fried until golden and served with lemon, sometimes with alioli or mayonnaise. They're Spain's version of fried calamari, found under raciones, frituras or pescados, and famously stuffed into a bread roll in Madrid.
- At a glance
- Calamares a la romana
- Battered and deep-fried squid rings, served with lemon.
- Pronunciation
- Say it like kah-lah-MAH-res ah lah roh-MAH-nah · IPA /kalaˈmaɾes a la roˈmana/
- Also written as
- calamares fritos, calamares a la andaluza, rabas, rabas de calamar, anillas de calamar, bocadillo de calamares, fried calamari
What’s in it
Core ingredients
- squid, cut into rings
- wheat flour
- egg (for a la romana batter)
- olive or sunflower oil for frying
- salt
Often added
- lemon wedges
- alioli or mayonnaise
- sparkling water, beer or milk in the batter
- a bread roll (bocadillo de calamares)
Allergens
| Allergen | How likely |
|---|---|
| Molluscs | Typically contains |
| Gluten | Typically contains |
| Eggs | Typically contains |
| Fish | Sometimes contains |
| Shellfish | Sometimes contains |
| Dairy | Rarely contains |
| Mustard | Rarely contains |
| Sulphites | Rarely contains |
| Peanuts | Rarely contains |
| Tree nuts | Rarely contains |
| Soy | Rarely contains |
| Sesame | Rarely contains |
| Diet | Suitable? |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Pescatarian | Usually |
| Halal | Depends — Squid is accepted by most schools of Islamic law but not by the Hanafi school; some batters also use beer. |
| Kosher | No |
| Gluten-free | No |
Allergen and calorie details are AI estimates based on the menu and typical recipes. They can be incomplete — if you have a serious allergy, always check with the staff.
Romana, andaluza and rabas
A la romana ("Roman style") in Spanish cooking means coated in flour and beaten egg, or a batter of both, then fried. The squid is cut into rings, dipped and fried quickly in hot oil so the coating is crisp and the squid stays tender. Some cooks lighten the batter with sparkling water, beer or a little baking powder.
A la andaluza means dusted only in flour, without egg, which gives a thinner, crunchier coating; this style is typical in Andalusia, where frying fish and seafood is a speciality. In Cantabria and the Basque Country, fried squid strips are called rabas, a favourite bar snack.
Typical price
Median price 12 EUR
Typical range 7.5–18 EUR.
Median of 40 menus, 2025-04 – 2026-04. Basis: Spanish-language menus scanned with MenuGuide.
How to order it
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Una ración de calamares a la romana, por favor. | A portion of fried squid rings, please. |
| ¿Son frescos o congelados? | Are they fresh or frozen? |
| ¿El rebozado lleva huevo? Soy alérgico. | Does the batter contain egg? I'm allergic. |
Not to be confused with
- Chipirones — Baby squid, usually fried whole in flour or grilled (a la plancha), not cut into rings.
- Calamares en su tinta — Squid stewed in a black sauce made with its own ink; not fried.
- Puntillas — Tiny whole squid, dusted in flour and fried crisp, typical of Andalusia.
- Pulpo a la gallega — Boiled octopus with oil and paprika; a different mollusc, not fried.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between calamares a la romana and a la andaluza?
The coating. A la romana means the squid is dipped in flour and beaten egg, or a batter of both, which gives a soft, puffy crust. A la andaluza means dusted only in flour and fried, giving a thinner, crunchier coating with no egg. Both are deep-fried and served with lemon.
Are calamares a la romana gluten free?
No, normally not. The coating is made with wheat flour, and the squid is usually fried in oil shared with other battered and breaded foods. Some restaurants offer fried squid in a gluten-free coating, often labelled sin gluten, but ask whether it's fried in separate oil if you need to avoid gluten strictly.
Is squid a shellfish?
Squid is a mollusc, like octopus, clams and mussels, not a crustacean such as prawns or crab. EU allergen rules list molluscs separately from crustaceans. Some people allergic to one group react to the other too, so ask your doctor what to avoid, and remember fried squid often shares oil with prawns.
What are rabas?
Rabas is the name used in Cantabria and the Basque Country for fried squid, usually cut in strips rather than rings and coated in flour or a light batter. They're a classic bar snack in Santander, eaten with a squeeze of lemon. On a menu, rabas are essentially the northern cousin of calamares a la romana.
