Living and acting as a "local" is a very exciting attitude when traveling. If you go to a pintxos and tapas bar for the first time, the following basic rules will help you to behave like a "native" of San Sebastian.
The secret to enjoy a great experience
- Choose the right places.
- Order the right pintxos at the right place. A kind of pintxo may differ much from one place to another.
- Don't concentrate your meal in just one place. Move from bar to bar. Enjoy the diversity!
- Be updated. Don't design your pintxo tour in "old" reviews of bars and pintxos blogs. Bars and chefs change a lot, and may be up one season, and down the next!
Developing yourself in a pintxos bar
- Locate your space in a generally full bar, where you can be with your companions. Specially, look for a place where you can leave your drink in case you need both hands to eat your pintxo.
- Check the pintxos on the menu, as well as those on the bar, to make your choice. Start with one or two pintxos, no more. You may order more later.
- Ask the waiter for the warm pintxos, even though there may be some of them on the bar counter.
- While you wait for the warm pintxos to be served, you may take cold pintxos from the bar counter. Help yourself, with your hands. Pick up a napkin or ask for a dish from the waiter (a large plate is not necessary in this case).
- After eating one or two pintxos and having drunk their beverage, most donostiarras will move to another bar. Request "the bill", at the same time you tell the waiter your consumptions. Doing like this will show the waiter that you understand the culture of pintxos!
- Be honest when listing your drinks. Most people do it, especially if they do not want to feel embarrassed, because many waiters monitor and write down what customers are consuming.
- Try to use expressions in Spanish or Basque. You can say "Eskerrik asko", "Mila esker" or "Gracias", to say thank you. "Agur" or "Adiós" are the most common forms in Basque and Spanish to say goodbye.
What San Sebastian Pintxos Tours can do for you in a Pintxos Tour
- We visit top pintxos bars (good product quality and cooking)
- A well balanced pintxos tasting, that will include vegetables, fish, seafood and meat, paired with local drinks like Rioja red wine, Spanish whites and other local beverages.
- Fine pintxos selection. We are continuously tasting pintxos and checking bars quality.
- You will get new recommendations to go later on your own.
- Get in touch with a local passionate about food, and our Basque heritage and Culture.
- Don't worry about dealing with the barmen. We will do that for you.
- Get access to seats and terraces very hard to get in peak days.
Enjoy one of our pintxos tours to live a great pintxos experience in your visit to San Sebastian!
