What is on the Spanish McDonald's menu that's unique?

October 29, 2025 •

3 min read

Food quality is a key difference noted by many travelers when comparing McDonald's around the world. A common point of curiosity is the regional adaptations, leading many to ask: What is on the Spanish McDonald's menu that makes it stand out from the global standard?

Quick Summary

A guide to the Spanish McDonald's menu, covering exclusive items like gourmet McExtreme burgers and specialty sides such as potato wedges, plus local desserts and beverage options.

Key Points

McExtreme Burgers: Spain offers a premium line of McExtreme burgers with gourmet ingredients and complex flavors, like pulled pork and special cheeses.
Unique Sides: The menu includes exclusive side options such as potato wedges and McShaker fries with unique seasonings, differing from standard fries.
Localized Desserts: You can find popular desserts influenced by local tastes, most notably the Biscoff McFlurry, which is a hit with European audiences.
Alcoholic Beverages: Unlike in the US, many McDonald's locations in Spain serve beer, offering a unique beverage pairing with your meal.
Healthier Happy Meal Options: The Spanish Happy Meal sometimes includes fresher sides like cherry tomatoes or fruit, providing healthier choices.
Regular Promotions: The menu features seasonal promotions, like special McExtreme burger variants or collaborations, to keep the offerings fresh and exciting.

The Iberian Twist: Exclusive Burgers and Local Flavors

While global staples like the Big Mac and McNuggets are available, the Spanish McDonald's menu features a range of burgers tailored to local palates. The most prominent of these is the McExtreme line, a series of gourmet-style burgers that regularly change to offer new flavor combinations. These typically include higher-quality ingredients and more complex flavor profiles than standard menu items.

McExtreme Burgers

Some recent and recurring McExtreme creations have included:

McExtreme Pulled Pork: A version featuring savory pulled pork.
McExtreme Dippin' Cheese: A burger designed for cheese lovers, sometimes offering a variety of cheeses.
McExtreme Bacon: A premium bacon burger variant.
McCrispy Pomodoro & Cheese: A chicken burger with a sauce similar to patatas bravas sauce.

Another unique burger variant is the McRoyal Deluxe, a European equivalent to the Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe, featuring a beef patty with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a creamy sauce. Beyond beef, the menu also includes the CBO (Chicken, Bacon, Onion), a multi-layered chicken sandwich, available in both single and double formats.

Sides with a Spanish Flair

The standard World Famous Fries® are available, but in Spain, customers have more options for their side dish. This is where the local menu truly shines, offering alternatives that are less common in other countries.

Potato Wedges: A popular alternative to fries, these chunky potato wedges can often be customized with toppings like bacon and cheese.
McShaker Fries: Another fun variation, these fries come in a bag with a packet of special seasoning, such as Italian, for you to shake and flavor yourself.
McWings: For chicken lovers, McDonald's Spain often offers wings as a side dish or snack item.

Sweet Indulgences: Unique Spanish Desserts

Desserts at McDonald's in Spain go beyond the standard McFlurry flavors. Local influences and popular European brands make the dessert menu an exciting exploration for any sweet tooth. One of the most beloved regional desserts is the Biscoff McFlurry, which features vanilla soft serve blended with the iconic Biscoff caramelized biscuits. Other options sometimes include:

McFlurry with Milkybar: Another popular European chocolate variant.
Nutella McPop: Bite-sized pastries filled with Nutella.
McPops Blueberry: These are small, bite-sized treats with a blueberry flavor.

A Different Kind of Drink Menu

One of the most notable differences for visitors from North America is the beverage menu. In Spain, McDonald's locations legally serve alcohol, a common practice in many European restaurants. This means you can order a beer, such as a local Estrella Damm, with your meal. The menu also includes the standard Coca-Cola products and a robust McCafé selection, but the beer option truly sets it apart.

Comparison: Spanish vs. US McDonald's Menus


Feature	Spanish McDonald's Menu	US McDonald's Menu
Exclusive Burgers	McExtreme series, CBO, McRoyal Deluxe	Occasional promotional items like limited-time celebrity meals
Unique Sides	Potato Wedges, McShaker Fries, McWings	Classic fries, sometimes Mozzarella Sticks
Exclusive Desserts	Biscoff McFlurry, Nutella McPop	Standard McFlurry flavors (Oreo, M&M's)
Beverage Options	Standard sodas, plus local beer	Standard sodas, no alcohol
Breakfast Items	Toast with tomato, some McMuffin variations	McMuffins, McGriddles, Hotcakes, Sausage Burrito
Happy Meals	Can include fresh fruit/vegetable sides	Standard apple slices, fries, or yogurt

Conclusion: A Spanish Fast-Food Experience

For anyone visiting Spain, a stop at McDonald's offers more than just a predictable fast-food meal. From the gourmet-style McExtreme burgers to the flavorful potato wedges and Biscoff McFlurries, the Spanish menu is a testament to the brand's ability to adapt to local tastes. The inclusion of beer and fresher Happy Meal sides adds to the unique experience, proving that even a global chain can surprise with regional flair. To see the most current seasonal offerings, it is best to check the official site McDonald's España official site.

The Spanish McDonald's menu adapts to local taste with gourmet-style burgers and unique sides, offering a distinctive fast-food experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Big Mac is a standard item on the Spanish McDonald's menu, along with other global favorites like the Quarter Pounder.

Yes, potato wedges are a popular and common side dish offered on the menu at McDonald's locations throughout Spain.

The McExtreme burger is a premium, limited-time burger on the Spanish menu featuring more sophisticated ingredients and flavor combinations than standard burgers, such as pulled pork or unique cheese blends.

Yes, it is common for McDonald's restaurants in Spain to serve beer, such as Estrella Damm, with meals.

While the core menu focuses on meat, standard sides like fries and some McCafé items are vegetarian-friendly. The availability of vegan or more extensive vegetarian options can vary, so it's best to check the local menu.

In addition to standard McFlurry flavors, you can often find unique local desserts, most notably the Biscoff McFlurry and McPops with various fillings.

The breakfast menu includes familiar items like McMuffins but also features regional touches, such as toast with tomato, which is a classic Spanish breakfast staple.