Updated May 2026 · Written by the Hostal La Mexicana team
Pintxos (also written pinchos in Castilian) are the defining food experience of northern Spain — small bites, usually on bread, taken standing at a bar counter with a glass of wine, txakoli or beer. In Santander, the culture sits somewhere between the Basque Country and Cantabrian tradition: strong on anchovies, salt cod, local cheese and seafood, with creative modern options alongside the classics. The main concentration is in the streets around the Mercado del Este, walkable from anywhere in the centre.
How pintxos work in Santander
You walk in, stand at the bar, choose what you want from the counter display (cold pintxos, arranged on trays) or order hot ones (grilled, fried or from the kitchen) from the bartender. You eat, order another round or move to the next bar, and the bill is counted by toothpicks at the end or as you go. Most places have at least some Spanish and a few have English-speaking staff; pointing at the tray always works. Peak hours on weekends: 13:00–15:30 for lunch and 20:00–22:00 for evening. Arrive just before the rush for the best selection of fresh pintxos.
Recommended bars near Hostal La Mexicana
| Bar | Zone | Best for | Distance from hostal |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Taberna del Herrero | Near Mercado del Este | Traditional pintxos, strong all-round classics | 5 min |
| Taberna Santoña | Near Mercado del Este | Anchovies from Santoña, good wine list | 5 min |
| Casa Lita | Old centre | Standing bar, local crowd, authentic atmosphere | 4 min |
| Fuente Dé | Near Ayuntamiento | Larger space, good for groups, solid selection | 4 min |
| Casemira | Near Cathedral | Quieter crowd, classic pintxos, less tourist-facing | 6 min |
| Quebec | Near Mercado del Este | Creative pintxos, slightly higher prices, quality ingredients | 5 min |
What to order: the classics
If you're new to pintxos in Cantabria, start with these:
- Anchoa de Santoña — the best anchovies in Spain, salted and cured in Santoña (30 km from Santander). On good olive oil, on bread, as a tapa. If you eat nothing else, eat these.
- Rabas — Cantabrian fried squid rings, lighter and crisper than the Andalusian version. Ordered as a shared plate rather than a pintxo.
- Cocido montañés — not a pintxo but a local stew of white beans, cabbage and pork. Some bars serve smaller portions at lunch. Worth trying once.
- Pintxo de bacalao — salt cod pintxo, often with peppers or pil-pil sauce. A northern Spain classic.
- Cogote de merluza — hake neck, a Cantabrian specialty that some bars offer as a larger plate at lunchtime.
Practical tips
- Go early in the session. Pintxos on display are freshest in the first hour of service. After the rush, the tray selection gets thinner.
- Switch bars if one is full. On weekends, the popular bars fill quickly. The best approach: try two or three bars in the same area rather than queuing at one.
- Budget €12–18 per person for a proper pintxos session with drinks. More if you add a half-portion of rabas or a drink of txakoli.
- Lunchtime vs evening. Lunchtime (13:00–15:30) tends to be quieter on weekdays and the hot pintxos are better prepared. Evening (20:00–22:00) is livelier and more social, especially Friday and Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
What are pintxos?
Pintxos (pinchos in Castilian) are small food portions, usually on bread, ordered at a bar counter and eaten standing or at the bar. The northern Spanish equivalent of tapas. In Cantabria they lean heavily on local products: anchovies from Santoña, seafood, local cheese and seasonal vegetables.
Where is the best area for pintxos in Santander?
The streets around the Mercado del Este — C/ Hernán Cortés, C/ Daoíz y Velarde and the block between the Cathedral and the market — have the best concentration of quality bars. From Hostal La Mexicana: 3–7 minutes on foot. The Puertochico area also has good bars but tends to be slightly pricier and more tourist-facing.
How much do pintxos cost in Santander?
Most individual pintxos cost €2–€3.50. A full session — 4–5 pintxos and 2–3 drinks — runs €12–18 per person in a mid-range bar, slightly more if you add a shared plate of rabas or order at Puertochico. The Mercado del Este area offers the best value in the centre.