San Sebastian Food Guide: What to Eat and Where to Order

Local tip

- **The Pintxo Ritual:** Don't sit down. Order one or two specialties (the 'special' of the house), a small beer (zurito) or Txakoli, and move to the next spot. - **Txakoli Pouring:** Watch the bartenders pour the local dry white wine from a height—this aerates the wine and creates its signature slight sparkle. - **The Napkin Rule:** Traditionally, the dirtier the floor (with paper napkins), the better the bar. Modern standards have changed this slightly, but the sentiment remains. - **Sidrería Season:** From January to April, the 'Sagardotegia' (Cider Houses) in the nearby hills (Astigarraga) open for the txotx—drinking cider directly from the giant barrels.

Best Pintxos (House Specialties) in San Sebastian

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Goiz-Argi

Old TownA local favorite for their prawn skewers served with a secret, slightly spicy vinegar-based sauce.

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Bar Tamboril

Old TownA classic spot famous for its perfectly battered prawns and mushrooms. A must-stop on any traditional crawl.

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Bar Txepetxa

Old TownDedicated almost entirely to anchovies. Try the 'Antxoa con Crema de Centollo' (anchovy with spider crab cream).

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Bar Sport

Old TownDespite the name, it's a serious food spot. Their seared foie gras is one of the most popular items in the entire Old Town.

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Bar Ganbara

Old TownA shrine to high-quality seasonal produce. Their 'Surtido de Setas' (mushroom platter with egg yolk) is legendary.

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Casa Urola

Old TownA high-end restaurant with an exceptional bar area. Their focus is on wood-fire grilling and seasonal Basque produce.

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La Cuchara de San Telmo

Old TownThe pioneer of modern, made-to-order pintxos. No cold items on the counter here—everything is hot and exceptional.

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Bar Nestor

Old TownFamous for the "holy trinity": Tortilla (only 2 made a day, must reserve a slice 1 hour early), tomato salad, and peppers.

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Borda Berri

Old TownAnother made-to-order specialist. Their flavors are bold, rustic, and incredibly consistent.

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Bar Bergara

GrosA multi-award winner that blends traditional ingredients with creative presentation. More space here than in the Old Town.

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Bodega Donostiarra

GrosA historic spot that feels like an old-school bodega. Their 'Indurain' (tuna, anchovy, olives, peppers) is a city icon.

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A Fuego Negro

Old TownThe punk-rock of pintxo bars. Dark, cool music, and very creative dishes that push the boundaries of traditional Basque food.

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Bar Martinez

Old TownOne of the oldest bars in the city (opened 1942). It maintains a beautiful counter of traditional items that represent the city's history.

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Sirimiri

Old TownA modern "atelier" that takes the pintxo experience and elevates it with sophisticated cooking and great drinks.

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Bar Paco Bueno

Old TownNo fancy plating here—just high-volume, perfectly fried prawns that many locals swear are the best in the city.

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Bar Zeruko

Old TownFamous for molecular gastronomy at pintxo prices. A visual and sensory feast that is highly popular with international visitors.

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Bar Haizea

Old TownA local secret known for its 'Brick de Bacalao' (crispy pastry filled with cod) and incredibly warm atmosphere.

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Zazpi

San Martin MarketOften cited as one of the best 'modern' bars in the city. Their attention to detail and flavor balance is world-class.

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Bar Hidalgo 56

GrosA creative bar that has won many awards for its 'Volcán de Morcilla'. A must-stop in the Gros district.

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Atari Gastroteka

Old TownA very popular, stylish spot. The food is excellent, but it's also famous for its drinks and the social scene on the church steps.

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Best Chuletón (Steak) in San Sebastian

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Asador Bedua

Zumaia (Pairing trip)A favorite among locals and foodies. Their steak is legendary, enjoyed in a beautiful rustic setting by the river.

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Sidrería Petritegi

AstigarragaThe classic cider house menu: cod omelet, fried cod, and then the massive Chuletón, all shared family-style.

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Txuleta

Old TownAs the name suggests, they specialize in the Basque Txuleta. Both their sit-down and bar experiences are meat-focused.

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Asador Etxebarri

Axpe (Destination Grill)Frequently ranked in the top 5 restaurants in the world. Their steak is the ultimate expression of fire and meat.

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Casa Gandarias

Old TownThe restaurant area of this famous bar offers a more formal setting to enjoy their excellent Chuletón.

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Gandarias

Old TownA local favorite that serves a very high-quality Chuletón in a classic, white-tablecloth environment (or as pintxos at the bar).

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Asador Portuetxe

Igara (Outskirts)Housed in a stunning 16th-century farmhouse. This is where locals go for a serious, high-quality traditional grill feast.

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Sidrería Zapiain

AstigarragaA world-class cider house that serves a fantastic steak as part of the traditional Basque cider menu.

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Asador Rekondo

Monte IgueldoA temple of gastronomy. Their charcoal-grilled steak is exceptional, paired with some of the rarest wines on earth.

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Kaia Kaipe

Getaria (Day Trip)While famous for fish, their mastery of the charcoal grill extends to their exceptional steaks.

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Asador Alaia

Monte IgueldoA great spot to enjoy a traditional Basque steak while overlooking the entire city and coastline.

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Best Rodaballo (Grilled Turbot) in San Sebastian

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Txoko Getaria

Getaria (Day Trip)A beautiful spot with a massive grill right at the entrance. The quality of their turbot is world-class.

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Elkano

Getaria (Day Trip)Widely considered the best grilled turbot on earth. They use Every part of the fish, including the head and the 'kokotxas' (cheeks).

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Iribar

Getaria (Day Trip)A more unpretentious but equally high-quality alternative to the big names in Getaria. Their turbot is exceptional.

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Gatxupa

GrosWhile a fusion spot, their respect for the quality of local fish like turbot is evident in their innovative preparations.

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Txepetxa

Old TownA shrine to small fish. While not turbot, it is essential for understanding the city's obsession with fish quality.

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Bernardo Etxea

Old TownA classic seafood house where the catch of the day is always fresh and simply prepared.

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Ganbara

Old TownA shrine to quality. While famous for pintxos, their sit-down restaurant is exceptional for seasonal grilled fish.

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Rekondo

Monte IgueldoA temple of gastronomy where the grilled turbot is as world-class as the wine list.

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Best Kokotxas (Fish Cheeks) in San Sebastian

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Arzak

Alto de MiracruzThe birthplace of New Basque Cuisine. Their treatment of traditional items like Kokotxas is both revolutionary and deeply rooted in heritage.

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Best Gilda (The original Pintxo) in San Sebastian

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Bar Casa Vallés

CentroThis is where the Gilda was invented in the 1940s. It remains a pilgrimage site for those who want to taste the original version of the city's most famous snack.

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Best Basque Cheesecake in San Sebastian

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La Viña

Old TownThe ground zero for Basque Cheesecake. They bake hundreds every day, and the shelves are usually lined with cooling pans. It is exceptionally creamy and served in massive slices.

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Best Sidrerías & Txakoli in San Sebastian

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Txirrita Sagardotegia

San Sebastian (City center)A great alternative for those who want the full cider house experience (including barrels) without leaving the city center.

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Amaiur Sidrería

Old TownA cozy, atmospheric spot in the Old Town that captures the spirit of the rural cider houses.

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San Sebastian

Read here. Play on foot.

Eat Gilda (The original Pintxo) at Bar Txepetxa

Eat Gambas a la Gabardina / Prawns at Goiz-Argi

San Sebastian is read. Now go eat it.