When it comes to where to eat in San Sebastián, I’m sharing my favorites after a long week eating my way through Spain’s foodie city. Set along the idyllic Bay of Biscay, this city is part of the Basque region that runs from northern Spain to southwest France. San Sebastián is famous for a landscape of sprawling beaches and green mountains, and has a charming and historic old town.
And, if you know much about San Sebastián, you’ll know this is a city for eating. While there’s so much to do in San Sebastián and incredible day trips to take, I was most excited to experience the food culture. There are so many different dining options here, too, from pintxo bar hopping to pre-booking a Michelin-star restaurant to visiting one of the many destination restaurants in nearby towns.
I couldn’t get enough of the incredible food scene in San Sebastián. Most nights we spent going to a half-dozen or so of the pintxo bars in Parte Vieja and Centro, sampling a few bites until hopping to the next stop. During the day, we made our way to sit-down restaurants to places like Casa Camara and Bodegon Jose Maxi, each worth the effort to get to.
And if you’re visiting San Sebastián, just know you’ll want to do a bit of planning as this popular city is the spot to be right now for all things food. Below, you’ll find my recommendations for restaurants, pintxos bars, and more in this beautiful city. I’ve included my tips on not just where to go, but what to order, too, to help plan your time there.
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels and Things to Do in San Sebastián:
For a first visit, I recommend Centro for the best overall location, Parte Vieja for quick pintxos-focused trips, and Antiguo for longer stays and families.
- Centro (City Center), best overall location for first-timers
Nobu Hotel ($$$), Villa Favorita ($$$), Hotel Arbaso ($$), Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra ($$), Hotel Catalonia Donosti ($$), Hotel Palacio Bellas Artes ($), or a 1 Bedroom Modern Apartment - Parte Vieja (Old Town), best for historic feel and pintxos
Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel ($$$$), Hotel Lasala Plaza ($$), SANSEbay Boutique Hotel ($$), Hotel Atari ($$), Room Mate Collection Gorka ($$), or a 1 Bedroom Port Views Apartment - Antiguo, best for families and beach vacations
La Galeria ($), Hotel NH Collection Aranzazu ($$), Letoh Letoh ($), Colectia Hotel Onderreta ($), or a 2 Bedroom Apartment with AC and Parking
Things to Do
- San Sebastian Old Town Pintxos & Wine Tour Small Group Tour (3 hours)
- San Sebastian Surf Lesson & Pintxos Food Tour (4 hours)
- Quick Santa Clara Island Boat Tour (45-90 minutes)
- Small Group Gipuzkoa Coast (Zarautz, Getaria and Zumaia) Day Trip (4 hours)
- Boat Tour to Hondarribia, San Juan & San Pedro (4 hours)
- Basque Farm House and Cider Tour (6 hours)
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
If you’re planning a trip to San Sebastián, don’t miss my San Sebastián city guide and guides to where to stay in San Sebastián and the best day trips from San Sebastián.
If you’re visiting more of Spain, start with my 10-day Spain itinerary and guide to the most beautiful cities in Spain. I also have everything you need for Barcelona (city guide, itinerary, where to stay, things to do, coffee, and restaurants), Madrid (where to stay), Seville (city guide, where to stay), as well as guides to Costa Brava, Granada, Andaluciá, and Córdoba.
Travel Tip: The best way to explore Basque Country is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car and driving in Spain is quite easy. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
A Guide to the Best Restaurants in San Sebastián, Spain
What You Need to Know About Dining in San Sebastián
What Made San Sebastián a Culinary Epicenter for the World?
We have to start with why San Sebastián is an epicenter for food and one of the best reasons to visit the city. San Sebastián’s magic starts with its location. Wrapping around the Bay of Biscay, the city has access to some of the best seafood and produce in the region. Nearby, the mountain villages in the Pyrenees produce some of the best cheeses and meats in the world.
The birthplace of pintxos, the culinary emphasis in the city and greater Basque region has only grown over the years, with Basque chefs experimenting with traditional recipes. Michelin took note, and the city today has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in the world.
And you can see it in the strong legacy of cuisine throughout the area. A great example of how traditions are kept is the Txokos (private culinary societies), where people gather to experiment and also preserve traditional Basque recipes. Food is a fundamental part of the culture here. It’s a huge part of the society both at home and in dining out.
Tapas and Pintxos: What Are the Differences?
Tapas and pintxos are both types of small dishes that you can find in Spain, but besides that, they are quite different. Pintxos are distinct to the Basque Country in Northern Spain. Tapas originated in Andalusia but can be found throughout Spain, from Madrid to even Barcelona.
Pintxos are often skewered on a toothpick, bite-sized (or, a couple of bites!), and often served on a slice of bread. On the other hand, tapas can cover a whole range of small-sized dishes, such as bread with tomato (pan con tomate), shrimp cooked in garlic (gambas al ajillo), and Spanish omelette with potato (tortilla).
Pintxo Bars Versus Restaurants in San Sebastián
If you’re looking for a more proper, sit-down meal, a restaurant is definitely the way to go. You’ll find a whole other world of Basque cuisine in Sebastián’s restaurants. If you enjoy fine dining, San Sebastián is one of the best places in the world to experience Michelin-starred restaurants.
If you’re looking for a more proper, sit-down meal, a restaurant is definitely the way to go. You’ll find a whole other world of Basque cuisine in Sebastián’s restaurants. If you enjoy fine dining, San Sebastián is one of the best places in the world to experience Michelin-starred restaurants.
How to Pintxo: A Quick Guide to Ordering
I remember how overwhelming my first stop at a pintxo bar was when I arrived in the Basque Country, having wished I had done my research prior. It can be a lot, shoulder to shoulder at the good spots with what seems like no system to ordering, but I promise you, there is. I was so overwhelmed I ended up booking this pintxo tour that night (I was in Bilbao at the time) so I could get a better understanding of pintxo culture.
My Best Pintxo Bar Tip: I’d plan a route for the night with 4–6 stops and order 2-3 pintxos per spot. I’d also suggest doing a bit of research ahead of time on which bites you’d like at each (it makes it a bit less chaotic when it’s time to order), then grab anything else that catches your eye when you’re there. Lastly, a few of the spots below change their menu nightly, so check ahead if you’re after something specific.
How to Order Pintxos
Once you find a pintxo bar you want to stop in, you might need to make eye contact with a bartender to order or politely raise a hand slightly. This is a great way to grab their attention, as many pintxo bars are very busy. Once I’ve ordered, it’s my favorite time to simply settle in and enjoy the atmosphere. For drinks, there are a few classic pairings: Txakoli (a sparkling white wine, you’ve probably seen videos of it being poured high above the glass), a caña (a small, light beer), or a glass of wine. My favorite drink is a Kalimotxo, a mix of red wine with a cold Coca-Cola, worth trying once!
In addition to pintxos, most places also have a raciones menu on the wall (made-to-order dishes). They’re more intended for a sit-down meal, but I often order one or two with the pintxos and have them all at the bar.
For payment, if you’re eating at the bar, you’ll pay at the end. Otherwise, if you’re eating outside or at the tables, it’s more common to pay before taking the food to go. Almost everywhere I went accepted credit cards. The occasional pintxo bar is cash-only, though. So I always recommend having a bit of cash on hand when you’re pintxo hopping.
Travel Tip: Book a Pintxo Food Tour — I can’t recommend enough booking a pintxo food tour if you’re new to pintxos. A tour will help you get an understanding of its cultural importance, the history, and just how to “pintxo” like a local. I did this food tour in Bilbao, and it was worth every penny. I would look at booking this pintxo food tour in San Sebastián by Devour Tours (who I use all the time) for a great introduction to pintxo culture.
The Best Pintxos in San Sebastián
BAR SPORT
A pintxo spot in the Old Town, BAR SPORT was my favorite. Head here for the baked foie gras, sea urchin soup, and baked crab. I preferred the soup here over the soup at Gandarias. It’s probably the most packed spot I went to during my week in San Sebastián, but with that, arguably the best classic pintxos. No reservations are needed here. Simply show up and hop into the line/crowd or grab a table. I’d expect 20-30 minutes wait to order most nights.
Bar Borda Berri
A few doors down from BAR SPORT, Borda Berri is lively spot known for freshly made pintxos, and in particular for pig ears and ribs, but these are only served on certain days (it seems to vary). I’d also recommend ordering the risotto de idiazabal that Bar Borda Berri is famous for. It’s a “false” risotto made with small pasta and smoked cheese.
Antonio Bar
Antonio Bar is a tiny pintxos bar in Centro, just a short detour (and well worth it in my opinion) from the Old Town. I had to wait a while to order, but the ventresca (tuna belly) with tomato pintxo was incredible. The gazpacho was also good. Antonio Bar is also famous for their tortilla, which is only available a few times per day. If it’s available, I’d try that too.
Casa Valles
Casa Valles is famous for inventing the gilda, a pintxo with pickled green peppers, olive, and anchovy. I feel like having a gilda and a draft beer here is a must. The traditional atmosphere is great, too (the bar dates back to 1942).
La Espiga
The pintxos and the sit-down raciones at La Espida were fantastic. It’s usually packed and has great energy. If you go, get the “delicia” pintxo (their specialty with anchovy, hard-boiled egg, onion, and mayonnaise). I came twice during my week just to eat the “delicia” pintxo because it was that good!
Ganbara
One of the most popular Old Town pintxos spots. Ganbara is famous for their mushroom and egg yolk dish and grilled razor clams. Sadly, they were closed for the week I visited!
Bar Txepetxa
If you love anchovies (or are willing to have your mind changed), Bar Txepetxa is where to get anchovy pintxos. They have a few different combinations, but my favorite was “la jardinera,” which was anchovies on bread topped with a pepper, onion, and chili sauce.
Gandarias Taberna
If you’re looking for a spot in the Old Town that’s not as hectic, Gandarias is a great option. I’d recommend the sea urchin soup and foie here. They have a pintxos bar and a sit-down restaurant, and it was one of the few places I didn’t have to wait to order. If it’s your first pintxos experience, this could be a good first stop before braving the more crowded bars.
Bar Desy
For one of the best burgers I’ve had anywhere, head to Bar Desy in the Gros neighborhood. The burger is super simple — bread, meat, and cheese — but it’s perfectly done. Their meat is what makes the burger so special. It’s a txuleta blend, a traditional, thick-cut, bone-in ribeye or rib steak, which gives it so much flavor. I also like this spot to switch it up from more traditional pintxos and Basque cuisine.
La Viña
To cap off the evening, I always stop into La Viña for their famous Basque cheesecake. I tried cheesecake at a few places in town, and this was my favorite. My top tip is to take it go and skip the crowded atmosphere.
Bar Nestor
This cozy Old Town bar was on our list but unfortunately closed during our visit. Bar Nestor is famous for tortilla (just a limited amount is made each day), and also Basque steak. If you can snag some, our friends recommended this place.
The Best Restaurants in San Sebastián
La Cuchara de San Telmo
La Cuchara de San Telmo is an incredibly popular pintxos bar (with long lines to prove it). But, I’d actually recommend a reservation for the dining room. I loved the txuleta, or Basque bone-in ribeye steak. If you end up stopping by for pintxos, though, they’re most well-known for hot, made-to-order pintxos.
La Cepa de Bernardo
La Cepa de Bernardo is another popular pintxos bar in the Old Town that I prefer booking a reservation for the dining room. If you go, order the Iberian ham (their specialty), steak, croquetas, and grilled mushrooms.
Casa Urola
This Old Town restaurant dates back to 1956, and offers both a sit-down restaurant and pintxos bar. We heard so many good things about Casa Urola, and it looked amazing. Unfortunately, it was closed during our visit, but it’s on my short list for next time!
Casa Camara
If you’re looking for a destination restaurant near San Sebastián, I can’t recommend Casa Camara enough. It was one of the most incredible dining experiences of our trip. They’re famous for their lobster pot in the center of the restaurant and seafood. And you reach it by taking a small boat across from Pasai San Pedro port, and I’d recommend ordering fresh seafood. Book reservations well in advance.
Travel Tip: If you want to take the boat, the last crossing is at 11 pm, so it’s best to book for lunch or the earliest dinner seating. I booked for early dinner and had to skip dessert to make the last boat. Otherwise, you can also park on the Pasai Donibane side and walk over.
Geralds Bar
This small and cozy San Sebastián restaurant is especially popular for Spanish Italian fusion dishes. Plus, there’s also an amazing wine list. Right by Zurriola Beach, Geralds Bar is a great spot to stop in to try some creative small plates.
Bodegón Asador Joxe Mari
Bodegón Asador Joxe Mari was one of a few meals I was most looking forward to on our trip, and I’m happy to say it fully lived up to the hype. The restaurant is a short 15-minute drive from San Sebastián, and we absolutely loved it. They have the best grilled seafood and are known for their special technique of cooking the fish with oil and vinegar. The owner/chef and the team were so friendly and made us and our daughter feel right at home. Note: Bodegón Asador Joxe Mari was featured on Somebody Feed Phil, so it’s particularly popular and you’ll need reservations well in advance.
Elkano
This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in grilling and seafood, so much so that it’s considered one of the must-visit places for grilled cuisine. Elkano is located in a small fishing village about half an hour outside of San Sebastián. Elkano was at the top of my list for the region. I tried to get a reservation for our trip, but it was simply too popular to find any availability. Next time!
Asador Etxebarri
This Basque fine dining restaurant is about an hour outside San Sebastián, and specializes in wood-fired grilling. With a Michelin star, I’ve heard over and over again about how worth it it is. I researched before our trip, but unfortunately couldn’t get a reservation. This just speaks even more to Asador Etxebarri’s excellent reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Sebastián Restaurants
Should I book restaurants ahead?
Whether you should book restaurants ahead of time for a trip to San Sebastián all depends on where you want to go. If you’re planning on spending most of your evenings stopping into pintxos bars, reservations are not necessary. If you’re having any sit-down dining restaurants, you’ll want to book ahead. For San Sebastián’s Michelin-starred restaurants, you’ll need to plan and reserve a few months in advance.
What are the prices for dining in San Sebastián?
There’s a huge range in dining prices in San Sebastián. Pintxos are typically €2 to €6 per bite. Sit-down restaurants could cost between €40 and €80 per person, depending on the restaurant. If you’ll be dining at any of San Sebastián’s renowned Michelin-starred or fine dining restaurants, you can expect to pay much more.
How family-friendly are the restaurants in San Sebastián?
San Sebastián is known for being very family-friendly, and it’s exactly what we experienced traveling with our 4-year-old daughter. It’s one of the reasons I rank San Sebastián as one of the best family-friendly destinations in Europe.
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Xx,
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