Merienda

For the place in California, see Merienda, California.

Typical merienda fare.

Merienda is a light meal in Southern Europe (particularly Spain), Italy (merenda), Croatia (marenda), Latin America and the Philippines. Usually taken in the afternoon or for brunch, it fills in the meal gap between lunch at noon and dinner, or between breakfast and lunch. It is a simple meal that often consists of a piece of fruit, cookies, yogurt, and other snacks paired with juice,chocolate, coffee, spirits, and other beverages.

It is typical for Argentines to go to a cafe to have merienda. A typical order consists of tostadas served with dulce de leche (a typical Argentine caramel-like spread) and jam. The fare is accompanied by café con leche (coffee with steamed milk) and orange juice. North Americans may relate this light meal as a type of "second breakfast."

In the Philippines, merienda (Filipino: meryenda or minandál) refers to the light meals that would otherwise be referred to as brunch and afternoon tea. Merienda taken in the early evening just before dinner is referred to as merienda cena.

In Catalonia, the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands, it is known as berenar o 'bereneta' in Catalan. 'Bereneta' is mainly used in Menorca. It is commonly eaten with pa amb tomàquet and a few slices of cured ham or chesse. It can also be sweet, like fairy cakes, croissants and small cakes and also fruit which children eat after school. Simplicity is typically key as the meal is not meant to spoil one's appetite for the proper dinner.

In coastal parts of Croatia it is called marenda, a meal eaten between breakfast and lunch. Usually it is a light snack, like sandwiches or toast, eaten during work break.