Donostia / San Sebastián has become one of the top foodie cities in the entire world. People travel from all over the globe to try everything from the finest in fine dining to humble Pintxos. And, while Tokyo may have over 200 restaurants with Michelin stars and Paris over 100, little Donostia / San Sebastián has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin recognized restaurants per capita.
Everyone has heard of Tapas, little plates of delicious food you have with a drink in Tapas bars all over Spain (and now all over the world).
Pintxos are similar in that they are also little snacks and are served in Pintxos bars, which if you didn’t know better, look exactly like Tapas bars.
However, there are a couple differences between Pintxos and Tapas. First, Tapas are generally smaller portions of a larger plate (ración) or an entre (plato). Pintxos, on the other hand, are rarely more than just a snack; never a entre.
Second, while Tapas can be any small serving of soup, vegetables, meat, etc., Pintxos are generally a little cheese, meat, seafood, or vegetable served on a piece of bread and held together with a toothpick. That’s not to say that Pintxos can’t be a little cup of soup or a croquette, but generally the format is something on bread held together with a wooden spear.
Pintxos bars and Tapas bars are similar in that they are both, generally, very casual spots where friends, family, and colleagues gather to socialize and eat. Oftentimes, people will hop from one Pintxos or Tapas bar to another, getting a little snack and drink at each. Another similarity is that bars often have a single Tapa or Pintxo that they are famous for. You might have to ask other patrons to find out what that specialty is, but oftentimes it will be obvious since everyone is eating the same thing.
Normally, when you walk into a Pintxos bar, you’ll be greeted with a giant display case filled with Pintxos of all different kinds. These are cold Pintxos. But, there’s another kind of Pintxos, a hot Pintxo. These need to be ordered from the bartender or waiter and are made to order. Don’t be afraid to order a hot Pintxos, especially if it’s what the Pintxos bar is known for.
My favorite Pintxo bar in all of Donostia / San Sebastián is