Patatas bravas are fried potato pieces often served with a spicy brava sauce.
The potatoes are commonly cut into irregular cubes or thick pieces, fried until crisp outside and tender inside, and topped with a sauce based on paprika, chili, olive oil, and sometimes tomato. Recipes differ by region and restaurant. Some versions also include allioli, a garlic-and-oil sauce.
Patatas bravas are a classic Spanish tapas dish rather than a packaged snack. The name means “fierce potatoes,” referring to the sauce’s heat. Madrid is frequently associated with the dish, and its modern form became popular in Spanish bars during the twentieth century.