Variety is the one of the main aspects that characterises Cantabrian cuisine. In any of the city’s restaurants you will be able to enjoy the best local produce. No matter what you like, in Santander, you will find it: regional ‘quesucos’ or handmade local cheeses, beef and of course, squid. You cannot leave Santander without having eaten a delicious portion of the star dish of our cuisine.
To really discover the key food used in our cuisine, you have to go to our markets. Historical places where you will discover the local produce first hand.
Located behind the City Hall, this modernist building designed by the architects Reynals and Moya, draws the attention due to its structure made using stone, iron and glass. Open since 1904, it has undergone several refurbishments and today, it is one of the largest food markets in Cantabria.
On the ground floor the stands devoted to selling fish are located, while on the upper floor you will find the butchers stands, fruit and vegetable stands and everything you need for a perfect menu.
If you have forgotten to buy something, don’t worry, because in the Plaza de la Esperanza on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm they sell agricultural produce, while on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at the same time, you will find a wide range of clothing and footwear.
Located in the centre of Santander, between the Plaza Porticada and the Plaza Pombo, this market, designed by A. Zabaleta, was built in 1842. Zabaleta introduced the concept of “shopping arcade’ for the first time in Spain with this project, as the building has interior galleries laid out to accommodate shops. Currently, after undergoing an important refurbishment, it offers a wide range of bars and restaurants, specialised shops and even an exhibition centre.
Located in the square of the same name, it was opened in 1985 and its 2,250 m2 house a wide variety of products in its 32 stands.
A street market also takes place in the square, open from 9 am to 2 pm, where on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays agricultural produce is sold and on Tuesdays and Fridays, clothing and footwear.
Santander offers a wide gastronomic offer that will satisfy everyone: seafaring taverns, traditional inns, bars where you can eat from a set menu or order snacks at reasonable prices and restaurants with more select menus.
You will find seven gastronomic areas::
Castilla-Hermida- Barrio Pesquero Area: In this area you can find bars that seem as if time has stood still. It is a favourite are for many people of Santander for eating products from the sea or for enjoying a good rice dish.
Vargas-San Fernando-Burgos Area: These streets house bars, wine cellars and restaurants for all tastes.
Calderón de la Barca Area: In this area you can enjoy bars that are perfect for either eating tapas or a complete menu.
Plaza Porticada-Pombo Area: This area has a large number of streets where you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere with a wide offer of local bars where you can eat tapas.
Cañadío-Puertochico Area: Made up of a large number of streets where you can choose amongst a wide variety of restaurants.
El Sardinero: If what you are looking for is eating well with good views, El Sardinero is your place.
La Maruca, San Román and Cueto: Charming little bars where you can enjoy good fish and shellfish.
To discover the latest developments in Santander gastronomy, don’t forget to download the most recent editions of the magazine «Comer en Santander» (Eating in Santander).