Wow! Little more need be said... let the food speak for itself; you'll just have to get a table and enjoy. Instead let me wax lyrical about the incredible service... world class. Makes you feel like a king but also like family at the same time. That the world's best female chef made time for small talk says it all. Ps Shout out to the concierge at the Maria Christina for the last minute table. read more

Tucked up in the quiet Alto de Miracruz, Arzak feels miles from the Old Town shuffle; we took a lovely stroll through the neighborhood before lunch and arrived already relaxed and having worked up an appetite. Inside, it's calm, bright, and welcoming, remarkably friendly for a restaurant with Arzak's stature. This is a true family house: the building began life as a tavern run by the Arzak great-grandparents in 1897, and today Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter, chef Elena Arzak, carry the torch. They're standard-bearers of New Basque Cuisine, and the restaurant has held three Michelin stars continuously since 1989. Our menu balanced playful ideas with Basque soul. A striped egg arrived nestled in a drift of puffed rice and flower petals, creamy, nutty, crunchy, and gently smoky; the kind of dish that makes you grin before the first bite. The texture contrast was killer. A sardine pintxo on a delicate biscuit, lacquered with seeds and a bright little dot of acidity, was pure hit-the-spot snacking. Then came hake kokotxas, those beloved Basque cheeks, set over a green, herb-forward emulsion with light dairy notes and ribbons of something pickled to keep everything lifted. It's the Arzak trick: modern framing around very classic lines. From the sea again, a monumental carabinero prawn arrived butterflied and just-cooked, crowned with citrusy zest and paired with small, sweet orange cubes. Powerful and ingredient-forward, as Basque cuisine should be. The meat course kept the restraint: thick, rare slices with a glossy jus and crisp, earthy garnishes. Restraint and boldness improbably worked together. Desserts were fun and varied: a rhubarb-and-strawberry composition that leaned tart and garden-fresh; a lacy, airy "waffle" scattered with vibrant red powder; a chocolate plate with honeyed, brittle-like shards; and those geometric little chocolates at the end. Service was genuinely warm and inviting throughout: attentive without choreography for its own sake, and the pacing let every course breathe. We left happy, full, and a little star-struck by how gracefully Arzak still threads innovation through tradition after all these years. It was a privilege to meet her after our meal. If you're a food-traveler, it's worth the pilgrimage. read more

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What a special night. A dining experience and sophisticated ambiance that was one of the best. Maitre de Cesar and Sommelier Mariano made us feel like family. Of course the food was as Tony Bourdain one said - Spectacular! Check out the pics - beautiful presentation and intensity of flavors! When we come back we would like to experience the "chef's table "! read more

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One of the best experiences we've ever had in our entire life. Definitely get the wine pairings with your meal as it takes it to a whole other level and literally my life, and I am laughing out of joy all night. read more

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Everything about Arzak in San Sebastián is perfection. From the moment we entered the restaurant we were greeted so warmly. We sat in the downstairs dining room. The room is decorated beautifully. Everyone in FOH was kind and professional. The food is the star at Arzak. Each course was presented as artwork. The freshest ingredients were used throughout the meal. What a memorable evening. read more

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We experienced a wonderful meal at Arzak. Service was top notch and the food was excellent...and not overly exotic as many Michelins can be. We also had few choices of dishes which was nice touch. Highlights were the roasted pigeon that melted in your mouth, pork belly inside wafers, poached lobster, and crusted egg dish. Lots of flavors mixed together beautifully. Of course the dish presentations were right on point. Plenty of food but not excessive either. Food was nicely coursed in a timely but not rushed manner. Chef Elena personally reviewed menu with us and followed up at end of meal. One for the best dining experiences in a long time. read more

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Of the 3 - restaurants we have been too this one had the overall best food. I loved every second of this place. The building itself is charming. A bit out of town. Nestled in the hills of a neighborhood, you escape to begin this magical culinary journey. I loved that the place allowed us an intimate and more private meal too. Many places play up the theatrical dining experience (and that can be fun too!) but this was lovely. Just us at a table with impressive, but not showy service. We did the chefs tasting menu and were lucky enough to sub out a special or two. The chef came to each table to ask how we were and how the meal was. Loved meeting her! Again, classy but not boastful or showy. And she has a right to be! I would travel back from the states for this meal again. Each bite was divine. read more

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Fabulous place. Quaint. Stellar service. Great food. Creative. Delightful. Enjoyed everything about this place. Highly recommend coming if you have the chance read more

A once in a lifetime experience! Enjoying the culinary, expertise and talent of Chefs Juan and his daughter Elena (voted the best female chef in the world 2012). The restaurant is unassuming, located in a quiet neighborhood of San Sebastian. We were warmly greeted and l an upstairs dining room that had no more than a handful of tables. The dining room is cozy and does not distract from the dining experience. The food experience was phenomenal and unforgettable. The chefs menu offered a wonderful variety of memorable experiences, all paired with a wonderful wine tasting menu. Highly recommend this for anyone who can appreciate the talents of this remarkable restaurant staff. read more

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Service unbelievable. Your wish is their command Food was wonderful. Egg dish will always be remembered ! Eating there was an experience of a lifetime read more

The whole evening here was amazing. Chef came to the table and had a chat with us and thanks us for visiting as we left. All the staff were amazing and attentive whilst being warm and friendly. The food was amazing! I much we had with local basque wine read more

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Little to type here other than superlative adjetives... I'm not even going to get into the meal itself. Service: OUTSTANDING! Food quality: UNBELIEVABLE Attention to detail: FLAWLESS Value: Our check for 3 was well over 1k (gratuity included) but 100% WORTH IT. There's consensus amongst the three of us. Atmoshere: PHENOMENAL read more

Absolutely amazing experience. Our group enjoyed every bite from the tasting menu and met the Chef. It was a beautiful evening filled with new flavors and fabulous wine. read more

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We lucked out and got a lunch reservation due to a cancellation. We were quickly seated and attended to. Staff walked us through the tasting menu and drink offerings. We opted for the tasting menu and a bottle of wine. They do have a tasting menu with wine pairings. The meal flowed and each dish was creative and so beautifully presented. And delicious! We appreciated that we got an explanation of each dish and told how to eat the components (sauce and eat in a single bite). We loved the monkfish, marbled egg, lobster,  and oysters. I was happy to try pigeon for the first time. Chef Juan and Chef Elena stopped by each table and chatted for a bit. We even got to talk more with Chef Elena after our meal and took a picture with her. This was a very special meal. Exceptional service and just a one-of-a kind experience! We can't wait to go back. read more

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This is near perfection for food and service. The attention to detail is impeccable and the staff run service like a well oiled machine. The food is on point and every flavor is balanced. Every attempt is made to meet the needs of the patrons. Easily one of the top five meals of my life. If you are in the area, go. You'd be stupid not to. read more

A current three star Michelin restaurant and rated since 1974. What's not to love about Arzak? Reservations months in advance are highly recommended. Arzak is a little out of the main tourist area and requires a taxi (€8.00) ride from the main tourist old town. Sitting is upstairs and quit intimate. Dress is evening smart. Men jackets should be worn. The meal is a take on traditional Basque with a modern twist. With a plethora of Michelin restaurants, this one stands out as the Grande Dame of San Sebastián. It consistently ranks among the worlds top 50 restaurants. Do the tasting menu and you won't be disappointed. The chef, Elena Arzak, daughter of the founder, will make her rounds and ask how you are enjoying the food. read more

San Sebastien is known for food and this 3 Michelin star place is a must. Atmosphere: classy and simplistic Food: beautiful artpieces. My favorite presentation is the last dessert: chocolates and pastries shaped like butterflies on a tree. The seasonal egg is divine. Service: very attentive Wine: great options and pairings. My personal favorite is this dry white wine. read more

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Whoever described the servers at this place as Handmaids Tale incarnate is true. Also. A closer look at the uniform has the red letter "A" inscribed, reminiscent of the infamous Scarlet Letter. The atmosphere is understated but not stuffy or old fashioned as some reviews suggested. The three star Michelin rating is probably awarded in support of new ways to spin basque gastronomy rather than mind blowing flavors. Starters can be split but main Courses can not. So you wouldn't be walking out with a bill less than 150 euro per person even if you tried. Haha. A course was brought to us by mistake. My husband already took a bite after photos, before another server realized the error. She scolded the server who brought us the plates saying over and over in Spanish that the plates are not meant for us. The first server noted that my husband had already ate a small piece on the dish and was going to let him finish the dish, only to be scolded some more by the Overpowering server, taking the dish and led away. All we are hoping is that they didn't redress the plate and serve it to another patron. The aperitif are colorful but flat on flavor. The starter lobster and yellow crab is good. The main iron beef is ok. The mezcal dessert was super foamy and consistent with the pricing. (Written by husband) read more

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Fresh off the high of excellent fine dining in Barcelona (Disfrutar, Tickets, Enigma), I was looking forward to my first three Michelin star experience in Spain. Not only does Arzak have three stars, it's one of the rare World's 50 Best Restaurants to be headed by a female chef (no. 31 of 50). I even skipped Mugaritz (no. 9) the day before to give my stomach a break and fully appreciate the tasting menu at Arzak. Unfortunately I was very disappointed with my lunch tasting menu experience. The food was fine, but not amazing - I enjoyed the small plates and desserts much more than the main courses which felt too flashy, yet uninspired and dated. A course came out on a color-changing tablet - money that could have been better spent on say, nicer wine glasses instead of their clunky ones. What really let me down though were the sexist undertones. The sexism of the restaurant industry and general condoning of abusive behavior is no secret, but this was the first time I've actually felt uncomfortable as a diner at a fine dining establishment. In contrast to confident females that were our primary servers at the other aforementioned restaurants, the female staff here seemed relegated to second-class citizens. They barely made eye contact or spoke, only serving to fold napkins with spoons (no hands allowed) and clear plates. A female stage chef hinted at her unhappiness and how she needed to think carefully about where to continue her career. As for myself, I also experienced some interesting moments. I was taking notes in a small notebook, and the male maître d' asked my husband if he were a chef. Now it isn't a huge leap to see a diner take handwritten notes and assume they work in the industry, but I was the one taking notes here, not my husband. I guess I was the secretary? Throughout the meal, the same maître d' was very alpha in his mannerisms. When I didn't finish the overcooked monkfish, he absolutely insisted I have another fish course. He was so confident I would eventually find one I liked. After the multi-fish course ordeal, came the pigeon nonsense. When ordering, I said I wasn't a fan of pigeon, but the maître d' asserted that the pigeon was their star dish, so I got pigeon as my second main course. The female server that cleared my plate showed the nearly untouched remains to the maître d'. Of course he then came over and wanted me to have another course, but this time I had enough and didn't give in. Right after this, Juan Mari Arzak (joint head chef with his daughter Elena) came over to greet the table, and Mr. Maître d' whispered into his ear (in front of us and twice!) about the pigeon. Juan didn't seem disappointed by that though, he was too busy calling me "nice" and pinching my cheek - yes he actually pinched my cheek! Elena, who I actually wanted to meet, was out of town. After this experience and the forgettable food, I can't recommend Arzak. For other fine dining in San Sebastian, Asador Etxebarri is at the top of my must-try list. It's about an hour outside of the city and has nothing but rave reviews from everyone I've talked to personally, including the head chef at Enigma. My husband also enjoyed his solo experience at Mugaritz the day before. read more

I hate to leave a low review, but unfortunately this was not a 3 star Michelin experience or worlds best restaurant for our group. During our time in San Sebastián and Bilbao we ate a several Michelin and non-Michelin and this was one of our least favorite restaurants. To start, the wine recommendations were not helpful. We wanted a champagne to start, and Vueve Cliquot was recommended for our group. I'm not sure if it's because we're younger but I was surprised to see a major house brand like that on the menu at a three star let alone recommended to us. No offense to vueve because it's great at certain times, but that's not really been an elegant wine to start with. The rest of the recommendations weren't great and we had to end up googling our own. For the food, it wasn't the best. I think it was overly innovative and didn't focus on core basics like balanced flavor. The plating was fun and interesting but it just didn't wow us. The service was a bit rough too, but my guess is that's the reopening due to covid. It seemed like servers were learning a bit on the fly. This is also super picky, but every three I've been to also does little things like help you to the bathroom, fold your napkins while you're gone and remove the crumbs from the table. They didn't do that, which would have been fine if the food and wine would have blown us away. I'd recommend one of the other Michelins in the area until they get back on track. read more

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We booked a reservation a few weeks in advance. I was a little nervous- would it be worth the price? Also, these places (Michelin rated) can be stuffy. My experience here was phenomenal. It exceeded every expectation I had. The chef came out and said hello, which was a nice touch. read more

Arzak is phoning it in...not worth the money. The staff were snobbish and not helpful.

I would give this place six stars if I could. Easily the best meal of my life to-date. This meal completely transformed my perspective on food. I'd gladly pay $2k for this meal and it was a fraction of that. read more

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Fantastic applies to everything here! My daughter and I chose the tasting menu and enjoyed every bite. The food was exquisite and the service was impeccable. read more

I usually don't take to the internet to write reviews, but after the atrociously disappointing experience at Azrak, I felt compelled to share. The moment we entered Azrak, we expected a unique, memorable gastronomic experience worthy of its two Michelin stars, but what unfolded was far from it. The food was incredibly mediocre - a poor reflection of the city's vibrant culinary scene. The dishes were either bland or overwhelmingly salty to the point of being inedible. Our dining experience was further marred by the dismissive and disrespectful attitude of the waitstaff. The waiter, in particular, was incredibly rude - scoffing and rolling his eyes when we asked questions about the wine selection. A genuine inquiry into the vineyards and vintages, that would usually lead to an insightful conversation in any reputable restaurant, was met with a sense of ridicule here. The high prices we paid for this less than mediocre experience felt like daylight robbery. Compared to other Michelin restaurants we dined at in San Sebastian, Azrak was by far the most overpriced, underwhelming with the worst service. It's saddening that such an establishment rests on its laurels, relying on its legacy to draw customers in rather than maintaining the high standards that earned it its Michelin stars in the first place. I sincerely hope that Azrak takes this feedback to heart and brings about the necessary changes to restore its former glory. All said and done, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend Azrak to anyone. For those planning a culinary tour in San Sebastian, there are many other remarkable Michelin-starred restaurants in the city that are far more deserving of your time and money. Espanol: Normalmente no recurro a Internet para escribir reseñas, pero después de la desastrosamente decepcionante experiencia en Azrak, me sentí obligado a compartir. El momento en que entramos a Azrak, esperábamos una experiencia gastronómica única y memorable digna de sus dos estrellas Michelin, pero lo que nos encontramos fue todo lo contrario. La comida era increíblemente mediocre, un pobre reflejo de la vibrante escena culinaria de la ciudad. Los platos eran o bien insípidos o abrumadoramente salados hasta el punto de ser incomibles. Nuestra experiencia gastronómica se vio aún más empañada por la actitud despectiva e irrespetuosa del personal del restaurante. El camarero, en particular, fue increíblemente grosero, burlándose y rodando los ojos cuando hacíamos preguntas sobre la selección de vinos. Una pregunta genuina sobre los viñedos y las añadas, que normalmente llevaría a una conversación perspicaz en cualquier restaurante de renombre, fue recibida aquí con una sensación de ridiculización. Los altos precios que pagamos por esta experiencia menos que mediocre se sintieron como un robo a plena luz del día. En comparación con otros restaurantes Michelin en los que cenamos en San Sebastián, Azrak fue, con mucho, el más caro, el más decepcionante y con el peor servicio. Es triste que tal establecimiento descanse sobre sus laureles, confiando en su legado para atraer clientes en lugar de mantener los altos estándares que le valieron sus estrellas Michelin en primer lugar. Sinceramente espero que Azrak tome a pecho esta crítica y realice los cambios necesarios para restaurar su antigua gloria. Dicho todo esto, no puedo, en buena conciencia, recomendar Azrak a nadie. Para aquellos que planean una gira culinaria en San Sebastián, hay muchos otros restaurantes con estrellas Michelin en la ciudad que son mucho más merecedores de su tiempo y dinero. read more

It wasn't anywhere close to good. All the entrees were awful but the desserts were good. It's only saving Grace.

This was the second 3 Michelin star restaurant we visited while in northern Spain. The restaurant is located approximately 15-20 minutes away from the San Sebastian center, in a non descript neighborhood. We had dinner at this restaurant (lunch isn't an option here) and it was a late dinner start for American standards but totally normal for Spaniards. First, the dinner will cost you around 215 Euros per person and there isn't an option for drink pairing. The menu is a tasting menu, but interestingly enough, for several courses there were multiple options one could choose from. The server literally went through the entire menu, item by item, and asked for our preference of dish when there was an option to choose. We started off the meal with several amuse bouche appetizers which were then followed by a few main dishes and several large desserts. I must say the flavors for most of the dishes were so on point, rich and delicious. However, I thought there were too few main entrees and way too many and too large desserts. The progression just didn't make sense and we felt we were stuffed with sweets as opposed to more of the delicious food. Also, while I love foie gras, I do not recommend choosing this item as one of your main dishes. Although our meal here wasn't a complete bust by any means, we must say we didn't enjoy this restaurant as much as we wished we did. There's definitely some hype around this restaurant that's a bit blown out of proportion. For a 3 Michelin star restaurant, they could definitely do better. read more

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Juan Mari Arzak at Arzak!!!! With the god father of Basque gastronomy!! And worlds 50 best! #Birthdaymeal2018 We came here for Mugaritz ( #9 on worlds 50 best restaurants) and Arzak #30 + first 3 Michelin stars in Basque/ San Sebastián!! This was my favorite meal thanks to Chef Juan and his daughter chef Elena Arzak! The experience~ 10 course tasing menu with seasonal best ingredients. Minimal "show" & extras!! All focused on taste!! Also getting a table and being able to switch date for otherwise sold out till May!! Everyone is extremely nice to us!!! The food: every dish was fresh! Amazing! Tasty!! Not a lot of show and smokes. Just good tasting things: seasonal!! Monk fish was amazing!!! The pigeon: perfection!! The sweets are too sweet for me though but it's made to chef's taste! Take it!! The highlight!!!! Getting to be the only table that hang out with the chef! He also told me that I have to be part Spanish to be this beautiful and exotic! I'll take it! Got invited downstairs afterward to hang, drink homemade hooch with him and his staff!!! The bonus ~ 10 free courses of dessert for my birthday!!!! €210 per person for tasting menu (a steal) but desserts run from €38- €72! We got 10 free courses!!! All with songs! Toasts!! And a lot of hugs from Chef Juan Mari Arzak!! SO Many compliments for me too And this anti dessert eater ate all of them!! Not bad for always being the quietest table!! Total was around €330 per person with drinks and tips!! Way cheaper than my birthday meal last year at Alinea ($650 per person for kitchen table without alcohol. Granted both required traveling) All in all, memorable!! Food in San Sebastián is amazing and pretty cheap if you tapa hop. You can spend €20 and eat a lot!! This was a splurge in this town! But the experience was definitely worth it!! So good, we came back!!! Oh yea!!! Birthday love was very much appreciated!! That too after we showed up a day late (due to French train strikes) Gracias, Juan Arzak!! #SanSebastian2018 read more

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Cyndy's Bottom Line: Inventive and artistic dishes *A 3 star Michelin restaurant with 2 star service *A tasting menu to experience *Wonderful wine selection *Entertaining to watch the folding of the napkin with utensils. read more

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I first heard about Arzak on a Bourdain show many years ago (15?). From that long ago seen TV show and hearing about what an amazing place San Sebastian is, I'm very glad I was finally able to visit and experience the city and this very special restaurant. Everything about the experience was top notch. As you might expect from the history and the people involved. We did the current tasting menu and of course some were better dishes than others. But the overall experience, creativity, flavors, and delights made this one of those amazing meals. It was also great to see regulars as well as food tourists like us enjoying the creations here in a welcoming environment. read more

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I had a wonderful, memorable, delicious meal at Arzak. My boyfriend and I came here on our last night in Spain. After sampling all the delicious food in San Sebastián, we had high expectations for Arzak, and we not disappointed. Arzak seemed like a fairly typical high-end, classy, restaurant. Very clean, minimalist design for the interior, and located in a pretty nice part of town. The waiters/waitresses and staff were very attentive, explained everything on the menu and were incredibly knowledgeable, and were quick to accommodate. My boyfriend and I both wanted to try as many things as possible, so we opted for the tasting menu. With the tasting menu, the are several options for each course. Thus, my boyfriend and I each chose different dishes for each course so we could sample as many dishes as possible. The dishes were all excellent! I wasn't blown out of the water by any of them per se, but I did enjoy every single bit I took. The flavors were all spot-on, the presentation was beautiful, and each bite was really an experience. The dishes seemed very traditional, San Sebastián-esque, full of local ingredients. All the dishes were paired perfectly, complementing each other so nicely. Every bit was a melt-in-your mouth delicious, and the entire meal was such a wonderful way to wrap up my trip to Spain. Arzak is a splurge for sure, but definitely worth it! Book wellllll ahead of time (months ahead, if possible), because they tend to fill up quickly. I definitely feel a little guilty because now, i compare all my fine dining experiences to my time at Arzak, and that's probably not fair for everyone else. But hey, Arzak deserves it! read more

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Had the pleasure of dining at Arzak with our almost 22 months old son. Having read mixed reviews about Arzak, I was trying to temper my expectations. That said, our meal completely dispelled any reservations I had about this place as it turned out to be one of our best and most enjoyable meals. The staff went above and beyond in accommodating us with our son and were so attentive and warm. The service overall was exceptional. We also had some of our best bites here. The entrees are relatively small so that's why you need to order a few if you don't do the tasting menu. The plus is that you can order half entrees which we completely took advantage of and ordered eight entrees. Each bite is deep and complex in flavor, making you wish you could have three more bites after the last. The plating was also whimsical at times. Overall, it was spectacular. If you're contemplating, don't. Just go and enjoy! read more

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Don't be fooled by the negative reviews of Arzak. They made me worried and it was by far the best dining experience of my life and worth every penny. The one thing that is so notable is how flexible they were in every way. I got the tasting menu and my wife got all carte and not even a single word as a deterrent which never happens in these types of restaurants. The food? Spectacular. All dishes were very good at a minimum with most being great. Really loved the Shrimp, Lobster, Pigeon, Veal cheek, Monkfish etc etc were all amazing. The Som recommended a bottle of Albariño that was mind blowing as well as a Rioja so that was another highlight. Beyond that the service was inviting, warm and accommodating to all languages. Just go it was SO worth it. Thank you Arzak! read more

When you go to a three Michelin star restaurant you expect a certain air of sophistication and just and hope you hit the right notes and use the right cutlery for each plate. At Arzak we felt a warm welcome. The food was exceptional. The service was kind and caring and every dish was simply explained and given the chef's advise on how to mix and taste the different ingredients on the plate. Impeccable. Amazingly, an egg dish was the highlight in simple awe and amazement that a simple every day ingredient could be elevated to such a heavenly level. The Chef (daughter of the the original Chef) came to our table. Very warm and sweet lady and amazing hostess. When you leave with such a happy tone in your heart is when you understand that good food is really meant for the spirit. And when you leave and realize that they have kept the coveted three stars for so many years and do not see any signs or plaques showing off these awards, you feel a deep respect for all the hard work and creativity and simply know that you not simply walking our of one of the best restaurants in the world but are tn reality walking out of a temple. read more

After watching the Part's Unknown episode of Anthony Bourdain visiting San Sebastian, we made it a priority to spend a few days in San Sebastian to taste all the delicious pintxos and more importantly check out the famous restaurante Arzak. After watching the San Sebastian episode, and knowing what an influential chef Juan Mari is, I was expecting a lot. Don't get me wrong, my husband and I enjoyed the tasting menu immensely, and had a great time. The presentation, taste and theme were all on point, but I just didn't love the menu. Of all the 3-star Michelin restaurants we've been to, we don't normally see deviations from the tasting menu. And I don't mean the part where the server asks if the guests have any allergies and caters to the guest accordingly. Here at Arzak, the waiter presents you with a couple of options for a few of the courses on the tasting menu. I would have honestly been fine with the tasting menu on its own, but was pressured by him to go with some of the other options. Apart from this one guy, service was great. The best part of the entire dining experience was when I heard a voice asking me how everything was. When I looked up and saw that it was Elena Arzak herself standing before me, I lost my ability to speak. My husband and I were starstrucked. Elena was so warm and sweet, and agreed to take a picture with us. She pretty much hung around the rest of the time to socialize with guests, and at the end of the night, she even came out to the foyer to say thanks and send us off. read more

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A good mix of tradition with some fun science, technology, and absolutely amazing food make the 3 star Michelin ranking and #8 restaurant world rank totally justified. Arzak service was so friendly and efficient and on top of that Elena and Juan Mari personally went to each table to talk to the guests. Elena and Juan Mari were so kind and humble and it was a real pleasure to dine here. Everything was flawless! Seamless service, beautifully presented and tasty dishes, and of course great memories made! The menu descriptions were playful and as a result required descriptions which the waiters had no problem providing. A nice option was to do half portions so you could try more dishes even if you did not want to do a full tasting menu. If anything..coming to San Sebastian for Arzak alone would have been worth the trip. Kabrarroka pudding with kataifi Red Codfish Chorizo with tonic Beans, bacon and chestnut Sunflower seeds with arraitxiki Hemp, mustard, and lobster Sauteed lobster served with crispy hemp bread and mustard vinaigrette Ovo-lacto Egg with semi-crunchy shell and baobab accompanied by "lactic leaves" and curds Fish steak with potatoes Fillet of seabass lightly marinated with gin and served with several flavors of potatoes The Kobe's beef Black apple Sauteed apple finalized with the aspect of a truffle and apricot Playing marbles with chocolate Marbles of chocolate served with amaranth and oregano sauce read more

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We had a large group in a private room, with a several course meal.. The food was amazing. I love that dinner is not a rushed event here; it's an experience of the company you're with, and each individual plate you share and all of their ingredients. Many places that get creative and artful end up forgetting taste along the way, but that is not an issue here. The presentation is amazing, as is the taste. Meeting Juan Mari and Elena was also a great experience. I'm not a full-on foodie, but a couple in our group were, and one brought a book for them to sign, and literally started crying tears of joy to be able to meet them. read more

Arzak - Yum! - Spanish Near Me - Donostia / San Sebastián, SS

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5.2017 The service was above and beyond, totally unexpected. The sommelier completely lined me up (aka took care of me). Tasting menu for lunch overall consistent. Definitely some highlights and no disappointing bites. Overall a worthwhile experience that should be on your to do list. 4 Stars pushed up to 5 for once in a lifetime service. read more

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A very rare treat to eat at a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Everything was spectacular. The service was for the most part excellent although they did give us one round of bread without filling providing oil. Our server was otherwise very attentive to detail and spoke great English. The sommelier recommended a wine which was quite good and not that expensive (46 Euros). I thought this was quite reasonable. But enough about wine, let us talk about food. As you know, these are smallish portions but they are filled with flavor. Of course, the presentation is top notch as well. I went with the tasting menu. I prefer fish and the fiance is a strict vegetarian. They had no problems adjusting the tasting menu to accommodate. This made it rather interesting as most of our courses were different. The courses came out at reasonable rate -- not too fast, not too slow, just perfect. The dishes are beautiful of course. You may want to check to make sure which parts you are supposed to eat. I am pretty sure I ate some garnish by mistake :) The fish was my favorite. I had both sole and a monkfish and they were both amazing. The desserts were amazing. The Big Truffle was a chocolate delight. Skate and Vietnamese chocolate was also quite good. Loved the deserts and the espresso to wash them down. I miss Arzak already and want to go back. It was one of the best meals I have had. It did not disappoint. As an added touch, we got to talk to the chef, Elena Arzak, before we left. A nice personal touch. I cannot recommend this place enough. I would love to go back. read more

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What a meal... Very interesting plating, wildly colorful ingredients, contrasting textures, and perfectly executed dishes. Service was tremendous as expected (lots of bread and water, crumb-scraping, pulling out the chair for you etc.) We went with the tasting menu for around 200 eur each. Starters: Prawn Gyoza were incredible. Brilliant and colorful presentation, delicate but hearty crunch on the gyoza shell, delicious filling. Loved the Banana and Squid dish as well. A unique and surprising combo that complemented each other rather well. Pita Bread with Spring Peas came wrapped in newspaper. Pita was wonderfully moist and flavorful. Anchovy and Strawberry and Eel Rod were a bit less memorable for me in taste and presentation. Lobster with Bee's Pollen: Terrific color once again, lots of orange with a shock of purple. Lobster was wonderfully sauteed and the sauces were very interesting. Sweetness with a nice contrasting crunch from the pollen. Scarlet Prawn with Krill: Crazy ruby color on the prawn! Wonderfully juicy, interesting flavors with the lemongrass and the beetroot sauce. Crunchy krill was delicious, savory and salty. Red Space Egg: Was really looking forward to this dish and it delivered. WILD plating, almost too beautiful to eat. Spectacularly executed egg, nice oozy yolk, and perfectly gelatinous white. Monkfish Cleopatra: Hmm wasn't the biggest fan of this dish, I think monkfish might just be a bit too fatty and oily for me. Did not like the pumpkin and chickpea paired with the monkfish as it made for a heavy dish. The hieroglyphic sauce writing was very cool though. Had a bite of the sole, and that was delicately delicious. #regrets Orange-Coloured Pigeon: OH MY. Incredibly juicy medium rare pigeon. So much more flavor than chicken and a bit leaner than duck. The citrus throughout the plate was an awesome choice - kept the dish light and refreshing. Once again, some crisp (onion) to go with the wonderful tenderness of the pigeon. Chestnut Frost: SO GOOD. Definitely a fan of chestnut ice cream, and the acai granita was amazing. Such a refreshing breather after two heavy entrees. Chocolate Desserts: Was honestly a bit disappointed by the chocolate trio. I generally love rich chocolate desserts, but these were a touch too decadent even for me. Nothing particularly memorable, I was just struggling to finish. I wish the ratio of ice cream to chocolate was much higher as the ice creams were selected very well to match the desserts. Frogs: Was not a fan of the mixture of savory and sweet frog "candies" to end the meal. The avocado one was too much for me to handle having just had massive amounts of chocolate. I didn't dare put the curry one in my mouth after seeing my dining companions' reactions. I'd probably be a fan of the frogs on any other given day, but I think they were a bit much to stomach after a massive meal. Was the Arzak experience worth the money for me? Absolutely. I'm writing this review a few weeks later and I'm amazed at how many details I still remember. A great dining experience that I'll be unlikely to forget. read more

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