On one of Santander’s liveliest streets, this grand old bodega is as much about the buzz and the setting as anything else. You enter through the bottle-lined tapas bar, where legs of jamón dangle from the ceiling, and beyond lies the elegant, rustic-style dining room, decked out with wood beams, cushioned booths and one wall made entirely of wooden doors. The real stars of the show, however, are the colourful wine barrels displaying snazzy paintings – cats, food, stormy seas – by contemporary artists, which give the place its ‘round museum’ nickname.

The paintings on wine-barrel ends that decorate this classic restaurant have given it the nickname "Museo Redondo" (Round Museum). The building dates back to the 16th century when it was a wine cellar, apparent in the heavy wooden beams overhead and the rough, rustic tables. With meaty culinary specialties from La Rioja and fresh seafood from the Bay of Biscay, there is plenty to choose from.

A very traditional bar with old wooden beams and exposed brick work, Bodega del Riojano is filled with traditional wine barrels and legs of ham hanging from the bar. Classic dishes include snails ‘a la riojano’ style, stuffed green peppers, salt cod with tomato sauce, and Cantabrian-style hake. They also have a good selection of barbecued meats, and of course wines.

Make sure you try the house Russian salad, a homage to this renowned dish from the Bodega del Riojano in Santander.

Santander’s Bodega El Riojano serves up well priced and well executed traditional fare amidst its wonderful art collection. Start with some cured meats and cheeses – you have to try the cecina – a cured-beef platter that is drizzled with olive oil and eaten with husks of bread. Do sample a Cantabrian wine while here – both whites and reds are now being produced again in the region by bodegas recovering the old tradition and some utilizing decades old vines.

La Bodega del Riojano, en calle Río de la Pila, 5, es un establecimiento histórico y lleno de encanto, fundado en 1940. Reconocido por su cocina tradicional cántabra y riojana, este restaurante se distingue por sus platos elaborados con ingredientes de alta calidad y recetas que combinan lo mejor de ambas regiones. Su decoración clásica, con toques de madera y detalles históricos, crea un ambiente cálido y acogedor.

Highly regarded as the pinnacle of Santander, Spain restaurants, Bodega del Riojano is steeped in history and tradition. The establishment has earned a Michelin mention for its authenticity – and we believe it’s a must-eat for visitors!. While many guests prefer a table in the dining room where painted barrels line the walls, we were content standing at the bar, soaking in the bustling atmosphere.

In the center of the city, the Bodeja del Riojano, which started in 1940, has always been a reference place, constantly visited by many artists that left their mark by decoration the wine barrels, turning the restaurant into an authentic contemporary art museum. Traditional food, simple and made with good ingredients. They have a great pastel de cabracho and they also offer some pinchos.

Just go inside and look at some Santander history, This is really how all warehouses and tavernas would look like some 100 and more years ago. A historic institution in Santander, Bodega El Riojano is famed for its traditional Spanish cuisine and extensive wine list. The restaurant’s interior is adorned with wine barrels and historical artifacts, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

I highly recommended enjoying your first meal in Cantabria at Santander’s historic, wood-on-wood coachhouse-style Bodega El Riojano. It dates back to 1940 and is something of a local institution, with traditional Cantabrian dishes that draw on the region’s rugged mountains, pasturelands, rivers and the Cantabrian Sea.

Bodega del Riojano” offers a cozy atmosphere for enjoying local dishes, making it a hit with travellers seeking authentic regional flavours. “Vermutería Solórzano” is a lively spot for rounding off the night, famous for its homemade vermouth and tapas, a perfect way to experience Spain’s famed bar culture.

Bodega del Riojano is another of the best restaurants in Santander. This charming eatery is located near the area of Puerto Chico and offers a more upscale culinary experience. The restaurant’s setting is beautiful and the quality of customer service is incredibly high.

In the evening, take a leisurely stroll along the seafront and stop for a drink at Bodega del Riojano, a historic tavern. For dinner, experience fine dining at Restaurante El Serbal - Jesús Sánchez, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its exquisite seafood dishes.

La Bodega del Riojano es otro de los restaurantes de Santander con más solera. El bar está decorado como si el tiempo se hubiese detenido en él. El local es muy amplio y cuenta también con barra para picar algo.

La Bodega del Riojano Calle Río de la Pila 5, 39003 Santander, Cantabria. One of the oldest and most traditional restaurants in Santander, founded in 1940. A cosy atmosphere and good quality products.

A better bet for out of towners is La Bodega Riojano, an atmospheric taverna with flag-stone floors, crisp white tablecloths and mahogany wine barrels hung on the walls.