Spanish have later meal times than many of us are used to, with several smaller snacks in between.
A typical lunch is from 2pm and is the biggest meal of the day, often times being three courses.
You would have a later afternoon snack from 5pm, or possibly drinks and tapas (aperitivos) after work before finally having a small dinner around 9:30 or 10.
The sooner you get on the Spanish eating schedule the more likely you are to be able to better interact with locals. You’ll stick out as a tourist if you turn up for a 7pm dinner!
Contributor: Nathan Aguilera from foodieflashpacker.com
If you turn up to eat in Madrid at 19h you will have a lot bigger problem than looking like a tourist- you simply will not eat.