Atari was one of our favorite pintxos stops in San Sebastián. We sat outside in the open-air…read moreseating directly across from the beautiful Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, and the setting couldn't have been better. Watching the square come alive in the evening while dining beneath the illuminated basilica made for a memorable experience. We ordered several pintxos to share, and every dish was excellent. The standout was the Carrillera (slow-braised beef cheek with mashed potatoes), which was incredibly tender, rich, and comforting. The Platillo de Bonito with tuna, anchovies, green peppers, and olives was fresh and full of classic Basque flavors. The Panceta (pork belly) was another highlight, perfectly crisp on the outside and meltingly tender inside. We also loved the creamy Croqueta de Jamón Ibérico, and the Bacalao Confitado con Pil Pil de Piquillos was beautifully cooked, with delicate cod and a silky piquillo pepper pil pil sauce. We couldn't resist trying the Pintxo Especial as well, and it was a great addition to the meal. The staff were warm and accommodating, helping us get a table outside and making us feel welcome throughout the evening. Inside, the restaurant has a lively, authentic Basque atmosphere, but the outdoor seating overlooking one of San Sebastián's most iconic churches makes the experience even more special. If you're looking for traditional Basque pintxos in a fantastic location, Atari is an easy recommendation. We'd happily come back on our next visit.

Service was good and restaurant was nice not too crowded and lots of options to choose from on the…read moremenu. They also had the menu in english which is helpful. We opted for a few pintxos for lunch while we were visiting town. We also had a couple of drinks my husband got whiskey with coke and I asked for a local cocktail since I'm not much of a wine drinker. I was handed a cup of pacharán which was a bit strong but was nice to try something different. The pintxos came out one at a time which was nice we were able to fully enjoy each on their own. The bao was the only one I didn't really like mostly the bun part. It didn't taste like it was cooked all the way and was a bit gummy and there was not a lot of meat filling. Next was the lamb which was really tender and flavorful. The couscous was ok nothing special and not much seasoning to it. Then the beef cheek and mashed potatoes came out which was the star of the pintxos that we had. It was also very tender and the mash was also cooked perfectly. All of this was shared between the two of us and was very filling. The waiter let us know that some of the pinxtos could also be ordered in a full size if we wanted. We enjoyed sampling the pinxtos and would definitely recommend coming here to get a taste of local cuisine.

No trip to San Sebastián is complete without a pintxos crawl, and after seeing Borda Berri…read morerecommended over and over again, we knew we had to include it on ours. We actually stopped by the day before, but it was already closed, so we made sure to come back the following evening. It was definitely worth it. Unlike many pintxos bars where the food is already displayed on the counter, everything here is cooked to order. The place is small, lively, and always packed, with people spilling out onto the narrow streets of the Old Town while waiting for their dishes. It has that energetic atmosphere that makes San Sebastián's food scene so much fun. We ordered the dishes the bar is best known for, starting with the Carrillera de Ternera (beef cheek). It was unbelievably tender, rich, and practically melted with every bite. We also tried the famous Idiazabal "risotto," which isn't actually risotto but creamy orzo pasta cooked with smoked Idiazabal cheese. It was comforting, creamy, and completely different from anything we'd had before. One surprise of the evening was the tomato salad. It sounds simple, but the tomatoes were incredibly sweet and juicy, finished with excellent olive oil and flaky sea salt. Sometimes the simplest dishes leave the biggest impression. I noticed almost every table ordering the Pork Rib "Kebab," one of the restaurant's signature dishes, so that's definitely on my list for next time. If you're planning a pintxos crawl through San Sebastián's Old Town, Borda Berri deserves a stop. Come early if you can, expect to stand, order a few of the house specialties, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. It's easy to see why this little bar has become such a favorite among both locals and visitors.

I gave this place one star because the woman working at the front was extremely rude. She seemed…read moreannoyed that customers were ordering food and treated people with little patience or courtesy. I understand that it can get busy, but customer service is a big part of the job, and her attitude made the experience unpleasant. What stood out most was that she was so dismissive and unfriendly toward several customers. Her behavior was so off-putting that it took away from my ability to enjoy the food, which was actually good. If dealing with customers is that frustrating for her, a position with less public interaction might be a better fit.

Mistral Coffee & Bakery has some very good ensaimadas and is definitely worth stopping by…read more I tried a few, but my favorite was the one with the cream filling. Soft, buttery, and perfectly balanced without being overly sweet.

We decided to try and make reservations as getting a bar table is sometimes near impossible unless…read moreyou happen to go at the right time. But I have to warn you, the menu is not the same. We actually wanted the pixtos, but you need to order at the bar for those (sad face). Interior looks really nice and looks like fine dining-ish inside. Food was still good, but quite pricey. I honestly would just stick to the pixtos because that's what we came here for and that's what they are noted for.

Best of the tapas bars we checked in Donostia The staff…read morewere awesome, the shrimp, wine and tomato salad were top of the list!

Everything is good!!!! Service is great, Ambiance, it is busy especially at night but don't let…read morethat deter you, if a place is packed that's where the good food is!

I wandered around old town for HOURS wth my pintxo guide in hand. Many places were either way too…read morecrowded to get to the bar, the food looked not great, or had a terrible atmosphere. Finally, exhausted and delirious I stumbled into this rezi. Thankfully so! The server was so friendly even though my Spanish sucks. I immediately ordered a red sangria (Delish!) to calm my pintxo nerves. I settled into the bar and finally ordered the classic jamón ibérico. I used to think the ibérico was the region of the country but as I learned at the market, it's the cut of ham. Ibérico is very popular but I find there are better less fatty cuts but many bars only carry this. I digress! It was good and came with fluffy fresh bread, plentiful at that! (See pic). Then on a recommendation I ordered the beef carpaccio off the regular non pintxo menu. It was the best dish of my trip so far. It had chopped beef, onion, pickles!, and I think some horseradish sauce. I would fly back to Spain just to have this again. Go here, and order this.

Bar Astelena was the first stop on our pintxos crawl and I would've been happy to spend the whole…read morenight here. The pintxos were delicious and aesthetically pleasing, and the portions were generous compared to some of the other traditional bars. The space was modern, colorful, and inviting. The large platter of Jamon Iberico was pork perfection (16€). We could see them slicing the meat from the large pork leg. The foie a la plancha had a nice presentation with coarse sea salt and fruit reductions, such a great value at 4€. The house wines were 2€. This was one of the culinary highlights of my European trip... I'd definitely go back on my next trip.

If you're an anchovy lover, Bar Txepetxa is an absolute must in San Sebastián…read more Our tour guide, Javier, highly recommended it, calling it one of the city's best pintxos bars, especially for anchovies. He was spot on. There was a line outside when we arrived, but it moved quickly, and soon we were standing at the lively bar, just like the locals. Don't expect to sit. This is the authentic pintxos experience where you stand, eat, enjoy a drink, and soak in the buzzing atmosphere. Txepetxa specializes in boquerones, vinegar-cured white anchovies that are incredibly fresh, silky, and not fishy at all. They're marinated using a secret family recipe that's made this tiny bar famous for decades. We ordered almost every anchovy pintxo we could, and every single one was delicious. My favorites were the anchovy with jardinera sauce, topped with peppers and onions for a fresh, tangy bite, and the anchovy with trout roe, where the rich anchovy paired perfectly with the delicate pop of the roe. We also loved the anchovy with spider crab cream, which was incredibly creamy and flavorful. The walls are covered with photos of famous visitors, from celebrities to Spanish royalty, adding to the charm of this iconic little bar. Whether you're already an anchovy fan or think you don't like them, this is the place that might change your mind. The quality is outstanding, the service is fast despite the crowds, and the atmosphere is exactly what makes San Sebastián's pintxos culture so special. A definite 5-star must-visit and one of the highlights of our food tour in San Sebastián. I'll be dreaming about those anchovy pintxos long after this trip.

Got here right as they opened. There was no one there. Within minutes, seriously, minutes, there…read morewas no standing room available!! Crazy!! Tried a couple of anchovy pinchos and loved it all. I don't think we actually got the foie one, we got manzana instead but it was all good. Will be back, right when they open again. We could barely leave when we were done! Jaja! The anchovy only one was salty but went well with beer.

As a warning, you should get here before they open and wait in line because if not, it's a mad…read morehouse. You can get in where you fit in. And just like all the pixtos bars here, seats are for larger portions or set menus and not pixtos. They are known for their suckling pig. Their skin is so crispy and their meat is nice and juicy. Beef cheek is also a must try! We also got the foie gras which was really good. Razor clams was also delicious. Octopus was also a hit, crispy with soft interior. Kids loved the entrecôte. Risotto was good, but wasn't my favorite. Octopus was nice and tender. We ended up going twice here, food is delicious! Service was excellent too, Alejandro always asked if we needed anything and super friendly with our kids too.

Believe all the 5-stars! Worth the 40min wait. We arrived early and they opened 15min late, all…read moreworthwhile. Staff, both front & back, were exceptional. No bad attitudes displayed considering the sheer volume of people & chaos. The four cooks churned out food like soldiers...major kudos to the young team. My only suggestion would be to redirect the line to the second door that leads to the outdoor dining. People didn't know to move forward b/c all the people waiting blocked the flow. I'd also get rid of the round tables outside and build a long skinny standing table. Favorite was the hake. I usually avoid seafood due to sensitivities but what the hey, a bite here & there on holiday won't kill, plus, if you're gonna risk it, this region is as good as it'll get for clean seafood. The scallop was my 2nd favorite. We didn't get the beef cheeks b/c we were going to have steaks later...wished we had, looked divine. If there's just 2of you, opt for the smallest so you can chomp on different pintxos.

Bar Sport is an amazing spot for pintxos and one of my favorites in San Sebastián…read more The standout here is definitely the crab based pintxos. If you like crab pâté, this is absolutely the place to go. Rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The whole place has that classic lively pintxos bar energy that makes San Sebastián so special. A must stop if you are exploring the food scene here.

Fantastic calamari and sea urchin in a very popular stop in Old Town. A few tables inside but…read moremostly folks eating on the street standing. We got lucky and got one for four eventual they are always shared if there are open seats. Definitely one to put on your pinxtos pilgrimage.

If you come to San Sebastián and don't stop at Bar Néstor, you've skipped one of the city's great…read moreculinary rituals. This tiny, high‑energy bar in the Parte Vieja is famous for doing just a few things -- and doing them with absolute conviction. The lineup is legendary: the txuleta steak, the tomato salad, the Padrón peppers, and of course, the tortilla that sells out instantly. They make only two tortillas a day, and getting your name on the list feels like joining a local rite of passage. Here's the twist: although the tortilla is the most famous item, it actually wasn't our favorite version in the city. It's still fun to chase, still a cool story to tell, but the real stars of the meal were the steak -- charred, juicy, perfectly salted -- and the tomatoes, which taste like they've been engineered for maximum summer. They only make 2 tortillas a day, so you have to stand in line before they open to get a reservation for a slice. Inside, it's tiny, loud, and joyful. The staff runs the place with precision and a wink, and even when it's packed shoulder‑to‑shoulder, it feels like you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Come early, come hungry, and come ready for a meal that feels like a Basque rite of passage -- tortilla hype and all.

Bar Nestor is one of those Old Town legends that actually earns the legend. It's tiny, slammed, and…read morelaser-focused on a few things they do better than almost anyone: the once-or-twice-a-day tortilla (you put your name down before service and pray), the txuleta that comes out perfectly salted, tomatoes and padrón peppers in season, and a handful of small plates that remind you why Basque cooking is among the greatest in the world. Our favorite bite here wasn't even the gorgeous stuffed ravioli, it was a "noodle" dish where the noodles are actually spiralized squid. Silky ribbons of txipiron, barely kissed by heat so they stay tender, tossed with good olive oil, a little oniony sweetness, herbs, and a snowfall of grated cheese (Idiazabal-like in flavor). Simple, clean, and surprisingly creative at the same time. Exactly what Donostia gets right at its best. The room is a crush (in the best way), the team is friendly but no-nonsense, and the whole operation runs very predictably: show up early if you want tortilla; be ready to stand; order the classics and whatever seafood they're excited about that day.

Worth the pilgrimage for the original Basque cheesecake…read more Like many visitors to San Sebastián, we came to La Viña for one reason: to try the cheesecake that inspired countless versions around the world. This is where the famous Basque cheesecake was created, and after finally tasting it, I completely understand why people line up for it. The first thing that surprised me was the texture. If you're expecting a dense New York-style cheesecake, this is completely different. It's incredibly creamy and custard-like in the center, with a beautifully caramelized top that adds just the right amount of depth. It's rich without feeling heavy, and somehow disappears from your plate much faster than you'd expect. I also loved that La Viña still feels like a traditional neighborhood bar rather than a tourist attraction. Locals stop in for pintxos and wine, while visitors from all over the world come for a slice of cheesecake. The mix gives the place a lively, authentic atmosphere that's part of the experience. My advice? Don't overthink it. Order the cheesecake, find a spot if you can, and enjoy it exactly where it was born. Sometimes the originals really are the best, and this is one of those cases. If you're visiting San Sebastián, La Viña is a stop that's absolutely worth making.

La Viña is one of those rare places that completely lives up to the hype…read more I have heard about this cheesecake for years, and somehow it still exceeded expectations. It is hands down the best cheesecake I have ever had. The texture is unbelievably creamy, rich without being too heavy, and perfectly balanced. Simple, iconic, and unforgettable. If you are in San Sebastián, this is an absolute must. Some places become famous for a reason, and La Viña is definitely one of them.