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ZipPicks Awards
Best Date Night Spanish in Santa Monica
Best Spanish in Santa Monica
Master Critic Review
Xuntos
8.2
Chef Sandra Cordero's tapas bar specializes in hard-to-find Galician specialties like percebes and huge empanadas, alongside traditional pintxos from Spain's northern regions. The two-story space with dual mezzanines creates an unrefined Barcelona-style atmosphere perfect for sharing small plates and natural Spanish wines.
Must-Try Dishes:
Galician Empanadas, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, Percebes (Gooseneck Barnacles)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Only place in LA serving authentic Galician specialties and percebes
Who should go: Spanish food enthusiasts seeking authenticity
When to visit: Bikini happy hour 3-6pm Tuesday-Saturday
What to order: Empanadas, jamón ibérico, seasonal pintxos
Insider tip: Validated parking at 501 Santa Monica Blvd saves you money
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Validated parking at 501 Santa Monica Blvd ($3 for 3 hours with validation), street parking scarce after 5:30pm on weekends
Dress code: Smart casual - downtown SM crowd leans polished, jeans fine but pair with nice top
Noise level: Lively but manageable - two-story layout helps, mezzanine quieter for conversation
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation Friday/Saturday after 7pm
Weekday lunch: Walk-in friendly, maybe 10-15 min during peak lunch rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - excellent vegetable-forward tapas, tortilla española, pimientos de padrón
Vegan options: Limited - 3-4 modified tapas options, chef accommodating with advance notice
Gluten-free options: Moderate - naturally GF seafood options, but cross-contamination risk with shared fryer
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Perfect - tapas sharing creates natural conversation flow, mezzanine seating offers intimacy, and wine selection impresses without breaking the bank
Can I get a table without a reservation? Best bet is bar seating or arriving before 6pm. Happy hour 3-6pm Tuesday-Saturday rarely needs reservations
Is it kid-friendly? Better for ages 10+ who enjoy trying new foods. No kids menu, but empanadas and tortilla española work for adventurous young eaters
Best For
Better for: Authentic regional Spanish specialties you won't find elsewhere - skip Bavel or Republique if you want real Galician percebes and proper pintxos
Consider Alternatives If: You want predictable Spanish classics or large portions - head to Otoño or Mercado instead for crowd-pleasers and bigger plates
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday12pm - 9pm
Wednesday12pm - 9pm
Thursday12pm - 9pm
Friday12pm - 9:30pm
Saturday12pm - 9:30pm
SundayClosed