XUNTOS
Tapas bar · Santa Monica
516 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Highlights
Northern Spanish tapas & pintxos, romantic & unrefined atmosphere
Northern Spanish tapas & pintxos, romantic & unrefined atmosphere
"Xuntos is the best Spanish restaurant on the Westside and the kind of place where dinner can turn into a three-hour party without really noticing. That’s because everyone in this homey, two-story spot in Downtown Santa Monica lets loose over vermouth cocktails, Basque cider, and however many rounds of garlicky gambas they can get in before their parking meter runs out. The menu is specifically northern Spanish—that’s right, LA has hyper-regional Spanish food now—and features things that belong on a José Andres travel special, including grilled baby squid balloons full of minced shallots, fatty seabass collars we eat like chicken wings, and scallops on the half-shell bathed in golden saffron butter." - team infatuation
"Xuntos is the best Spanish restaurant on the Westside and the kind of place where dinner can turn into a three-hour party without really noticing. That’s because everyone in this homey, two-story spot in Downtown Santa Monica lets loose over vermouth cocktails, Basque cider, and however many rounds of garlicky gambas they can get in before their parking meter runs out. The menu is specifically northern Spanish—that’s right, LA has hyper-regional Spanish food now—and features things that belong on a José Andres travel special, including grilled baby squid balloons full of minced shallots, fatty seabass collars we eat like chicken wings, and scallops on the half-shell bathed in golden saffron butter. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore, cathy park
"This charming tapas bar and Spanish restaurant from talented chef Sandra Cordero takes over a bi-level space in Santa Monica’s Downtown area, adorned with interesting visual touches inside and a sleek seating area across four rooms. Cordero’s pan-Spanish cooking sticks to a simple formula of quality ingredients and skilled cooking, including excellent fried anchovies, gambas al ajillo, and razor clams when in season." - Matthew Kang
"This two-tiered, four-dining room restaurant offers plenty of options for those on first dates. Serving some of the most impressive Spanish tapas and cocktails around, those wanting to stand or sit at a bar can just waltz into the landing area. Upstairs, find two separate mezzanines with smaller, quieter corners for conversation while the main dining room offers views of the street for a truly European feel. Try the razor clams or fried anchovies if they’re available." - Rebecca Roland
"This two-tiered, four-dining room restaurant offers plenty of options for those on first dates. Serving some of the most impressive Spanish tapas and cocktails around, those wanting to stand or sit at a bar can just waltz into the landing area. Upstairs, find two separate mezzanines with smaller, quieter corners for conversation while the main dining room offers views of the street for a truly European feel. Try the razor clams or fried anchovies if they’re available." - Rebecca Roland, Matthew Kang
