The traditional base of a montadito is bread.
A montadito is a small sandwich or piece of bread topped or filled with ingredients such as cured meat, cheese, fish, vegetables, or tortilla. Its name comes from the Spanish verb montar, meaning “to mount” or “to put on top,” describing how the ingredients are placed on the bread. The portions are designed for eating as a snack or alongside drinks.
Montaditos appear throughout Spain, with especially strong bar and tavern traditions in Andalusia. There is no single universal filling, which is why the bread base is the most reliable defining feature. They differ from a larger bocadillo mainly in scale and presentation, although the terms can overlap in casual usage.