San Sebastian

12 real restaurants, cafés, bars, markets and food experiences, from inexpensive to special occasion.

12 places to eat and drink in San Sebastian

A selection of tapas (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

Bar Nestor

Restaurant · Parte Vieja

££ Mid-range

A tiny bar known for one thing above all: a huge tortilla, cooked to order and served at a set time, which regulars queue for.

Known for: Tortilla, tomato salad, grilled steak

About £14–30 per person

Local favourite Good for Families · Groups

Pintxos on a bar counter (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

La Cuchara de San Telmo

Restaurant · Parte Vieja

££ Mid-range

A small, crowded pintxo bar with a chalkboard of hot dishes cooked to order.

Known for: Slow-cooked veal cheek, foie gras, octopus

About £14–30 per person

Local favourite Good for Families · Groups

Pintxos on a bar counter (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

Bar Zeruko

Restaurant · Parte Vieja

££ Mid-range

A creative pintxo bar known for inventive, theatrical bites, including one served with a flame.

Known for: Creative pintxos

About £14–30 per person

Good for Families · Groups

Pintxos on a bar counter (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

Gandarias

Restaurant · Parte Vieja

££ Mid-range

A busy old-town bar with an excellent display of pintxos and a reputation for quality meat.

Known for: Beef cheek, grilled meats

About £14–30 per person

Local favourite Good for Families · Groups

Pintxos on a bar counter (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

Bar Txepetxa

Restaurant · Parte Vieja

£ Inexpensive

A tiny bar specialising in anchovies, served in a dozen different ways on bread.

Known for: Anchovy pintxos

Under about £14 per person

Local favourite Good for Families · Groups

Pintxos on a bar counter (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

Ganbara

Restaurant · Parte Vieja

££ Mid-range

A long-standing bar famed for mushrooms in season and its wide array of pintxos.

Known for: Wild mushrooms, foie gras

About £14–30 per person

Local favourite Good for Families · Groups

Local cheese (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

La Viña

Restaurant · Parte Vieja

££ Mid-range

The bar most credited with popularising the “burnt” Basque cheesecake, served creamy with a caramelised top.

Known for: Basque cheesecake

About £14–30 per person

Local favourite Good for Families · Groups

Fresh pastries and croissants (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

Pastelería Otaegui

Bakery · Centro

£ Inexpensive

A historic pastry shop selling Basque cakes such as the pastel vasco and tartaleta.

Known for: Pastel vasco

Under about £14 per person

Local favourite Good for Couples · Families

Pintxos on a bar counter (illustrative photo)
Illustrative photo

Mercado San Martín

Market · Centro

£ Inexpensive

A modern food hall built on the site of an old market, with fresh produce and a good cluster of eateries.

Known for: Fresh produce, pintxos

Under about £14 per person

Good for Families · Groups

£ to ££££ is an approximate guide to price level and the per-person range is an estimate, not live pricing. “Good for” is a rule of thumb. Opening times and menus change: check with the venue before you go.

Local dishes to try in San Sebastian 3
  • Pintxos in the Parte Vieja

    Hop between bars for one signature bite at each

  • Gilda

    An anchovy, olive and guindilla pepper on a skewer

  • Basque cheesecake

    Creamy and blackened on top, invented here

Food markets & tastings in Things to Do 5