Fondas

Fondas are a type of small hospitality establishment found in Spanish-speaking countries. Historically, the term referred to a lodging house or inn that offered meals and shelter to travelers. In modern usage, fonda can also describe a casual, affordable restaurant or eatery that serves home-style cooking.

The word originates from medieval Spanish usage tied to roadside inns and places that provided lodging and simple meals for travelers. Fondas were typically family-run operations, with communal meals and a plain, functional atmosphere.

Regional variations are notable. In Spain, fondas were common along roads and in towns, offering basic rooms and fixed meals; they gave way to hotels in the 20th century. In many Latin American countries, fondas are casual eateries offering traditional dishes at affordable prices, often with a home-cooked character.

In Chile and parts of the Andes, fondas or ramadas are temporary festival venues with food stalls, music, and dancing set up for national or regional celebrations. In contemporary usage, fonda remains a term for informal, budget-friendly hospitality or rustic dining.