The Best Spanish Tinned Fish You Can Buy in the UK (2026)
Our picks of Spanish conservas available in the UK: best first tin, best treat, and best for vermouth hour.
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We chose producers with a long track record in Spain, fish and origin clearly stated on the tin, and availability in the UK today.
Our top picks
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Best first tin
Bonito del Norte (albacore)Ortiz Bonito del Norte white tuna in olive oil (5 × 112 g)
Salads, toast, first premium tin
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Best treat
Ventresca (belly)Ortiz yellowfin tuna belly (ventresca) in olive oil (110 g)
A treat, tapas
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Easiest start
SardinesOrtiz Sardinas a la Antigua in olive oil (8 × 140 g)
Toast, snacking
At a glance
| Product | Grade | Origin | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortiz Bonito del Norte white tuna in olive oil (5 × 112 g)Conservas Ortiz | Bonito del Norte (albacore) | Basque coast, Cantabrian Sea | Salads, toast, first premium tin | Check price |
| Ortiz yellowfin tuna belly (ventresca) in olive oil (110 g)Conservas Ortiz | Ventresca (belly) | Basque coast | A treat, tapas | Check price |
| Ortiz Sardinas a la Antigua in olive oil (8 × 140 g)Conservas Ortiz | Sardines | Cantabrian Sea | Toast, snacking | Check price |
| Ramón Peña mussels in escabeche 16/20 (set of 4 × 110 g)Ramón Peña | Galician mussels | Galician rías | Tapas, vermouth hour | Check price |
Best first tin: Ortiz Bonito del Norte
Ortiz Bonito del Norte white tuna in olive oil (5 × 112 g)
Conservas Ortiz · Basque coast, Cantabrian Sea · 5 × 112 g tins
The tin that shows what Spanish tuna is: firm, pale, moist albacore caught one by one and hand-packed in olive oil.
Why we like it
- Line-caught albacore, hand-packed
- Family canner since 1891
Keep in mind
- Pricier than regular tuna — worth it
Best for: Salads, toast, first premium tin
Price and availability on Amazon.co.uk
Best treat: Ortiz ventresca
Ortiz yellowfin tuna belly (ventresca) in olive oil (110 g)
Conservas Ortiz · Basque coast · 110 g tin
Ventresca is the belly: the richest, silkiest part of the fish. Eat it straight from the tin with good bread.
Why we like it
- The most prized cut
Keep in mind
- Small tin for the price
Easiest sardines: Ortiz a la Antigua
Ortiz Sardinas a la Antigua in olive oil (8 × 140 g)
Conservas Ortiz · Cantabrian Sea · 8 tins
Old-style sardines: lightly fried before canning, meaty and mild. The easiest way into Spanish conservas.
Why we like it
- Mild, meaty
Keep in mind
- Skin and soft bones (normal)
Vermouth hour: mussels in escabeche
Ramón Peña mussels in escabeche 16/20 (set of 4 × 110 g)
Ramón Peña · Galician rías · 4 tins
Galician mussels in escabeche — a tangy sauce of oil, vinegar and paprika. A classic of Spanish vermouth hour.
Why we like it
- A benchmark Galician canner
Keep in mind
- Tangy sauce: not for everyone
Buying tips
- Look for olive oil, the species (bonito del norte, not just “tuna”) and the origin. → What the label means
- Check the piece count on mussels and cockles: fewer = bigger.
- Buy a few different tins and make a tasting of them. → How to serve conservas