I'm not letting anyone reading this in on a secret here...while San Sebastián is known for all…read moretheir Michelin Star restaurants, it's the Pintxos that will be the most memorable and really what foodies come here for. It's like a high end food festival out there, and you just bar hop from place to place eating all these wonderful Pintxos and drinking cold glasses of Txakoli - a refreshing lightly carbonated wine. Everything in Basque Country is local and they have it all. Atari Gastroteka was our first stop, and we showed up right when they opened for the first Pintxos of the day. We focused on the cold Pintxos at the counter, just pointed at whatever looked good and ate it. Some of my favorites were... The marinated red Piquillo Pepper stuffed with tuna salad on a baguette. Smoked Mackerel on tomato bread Smoked Salmon with shrimp, egg, tomato, cream cheese on a raisin walnut toast. Topped with pickled veggie relish. Man this hit every flavor profile perfectly. We needed a 2nd one of those when I went back for Round 2. Jamon with Brie, honey, on dark walnut bread. I'm pretty sure they quickly hit this with a blowtorch to get the honey to caramelize on the Brie and also scorching the bread slightly. I could keep going on....but whatever bites you get here will be fantastic. Best to go with people who enjoy sharing bites, so you can try many different things so you don't get full.

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.

You must eat here. The food is outstanding. An eclectic menu with traditional Basque meeting…read moreinfluences from Asia, India, Latin America. All prepared with care and attention to detail. Portions are generous. Flavors are big and balanced. Just delicious, whether seafood or meat or vegetables. We had scallops in a deep seafood stock, grilled hake with Thai infused coconut milk and lobster oil, and classic Indian butter chicken. Each dish outstanding on its own, all from one kitchen is wow. Presentation is thoughtful and beautiful. Vibe is cool without trying to be cool. Feels relaxed. Fun music playing without being loud or intrusive. Staff are fun and friendly and precise in their care. And to take it all to the next level was our host, Cesar. Not just thoughtful and welcoming but his passion for each dish and the care and thought that goes into them was obvious. His joy is genuine and we appreciated him sharing details with us so we could be part of the fun. In a city with so much wonderful food, La Madame stands out because it is a sit down restaurant, serving fresh and inspired and delicious food, with care and creativity and obsessive detail and pure happiness. Make a reservation, it's worth it. And take in the joy Cesar shares with you through every dish.

We are so glad we chose this restaurant! D---DIEGO--- made us feel welcome from the moment we…read morearrived and shared the culture behind the food, which made the experience even more memorable. The food was outstanding, especially the scallop, the broth they were served in was incredible. The spicy mango margarita was one of the best cocktails we've had. Great service, amazing food and drinks, and an overall fantastic experience. Highly recommend!

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.

We enjoyed an amazing lunch here. We sat in the beautiful quaint courtyard on a lovely afternoon to…read moreenjoy all their specialities including the carpaccio of red prawns that melted in your mouth, glazed crispy suckling pig so tender inside, savory black pudding ravioli with truffle and incredibly flavorful ribeye. We ended the meal with a tasty hot apple cake with vanilla ice cream. Each dish raised the bar. Service was attentive but non-intrusive.

Food was very good- we had a number of dishes and particularly enjoyed the rice with clams, baked…read morecrab and turbot. The wine cellar is out of this world- probably one of the best in all of Spain if not the world. Definitely worth coming here if you love wine from the old world - ask for cellar tour at the end of your meal.

4.5*s You're there…read morefor the burger. They do other things well like the anchovy toast and even the cheesecake looks good (but it's not the same consistency as La Viña). The beer list has a little more variety and it's much more crafty than most pintxo bars in the area. Service was patient with tourists and pretty helpful. It's a tiny, narrow spot with not a lot of seating and the tables on the sidewalk don't have much shade for the sunnier months. All that said, again you're there for the burger. Ground t-bone steak cooked RARE, a mild, white cheese sauce that's borderline whipped cream cheese that melts more evenly and borderline fonduta, and a soft, bun that's brioche in texture without the egginess. Can't say it's my favorite burger in SanSeb, but it's still a good burger and worth the walk to the Gros side of town.

We actually ate at Desy Vegas, a block away. Burgers are to die for, worth the hype. I was with my…read moreDIL on first visit, had to bring my hubs on the next. The staff is friendly and efficient. Wait time is fast. Enjoy

The answer is, "Yes." The question is, "Should I eat here?"…read more There weren't that many breakfast places open early in San Sebastian, but we found a good one. The food is deelish, and the service is good. It has a nice breakfast feel that is more American-ish than Basque-ish. It is a good place to try as you will probably get a quick Basque breakfast with coffee and pinxtos on your trip to San Sebastian.

Food was perfect! Such nice people working here. And the cafe con leche was excellent! I had the…read morescramble eggs. So yummy! Patrick had bacon toast. He said perfecto! It was nice sitting outside in the cool of the morning. Great ambiance!

Proceed here directly…read more Finding a place to eat pinxtos is overwhelming in San Sebastien because there are so many. Some cater to late night drunks and offer mostly sandwiches, this one is casual and yet memorable. I believe it is family run, and the feeling is that they take great care and pride in their offerings - their bar is not overladen which curiously makes it inviting. There is little English spoken here, but it doesn't feel awkward to be a foreigner who is new to the ways of pinxtos. Summon up all your bad Spanish and nerve, and ask for the beef cheeks or the foie gras, as they make it to order. They are rightly proud of those dishes and will bring them to you but you have to ask. The house rosado or cider is a perfect accompaniment to all.

Worth a visit. Don't limit yourself to the cold pinxos, the warm small dishes are absolutely…read moreexcellent and worth finding this fine establishment. The service is very smart and friendly. Put this place on your list and ask for the small pork and beef dishes.... and s glass of Rioja!

I miss the gambas a la plancha and the menu of the day I used to get there. Now it's been purchased…read moreby new owners who cater more to tourists so some of the previous vibe is missing. The food is basic and they are willing to put foil on to go.

Some of the best food and service that we hand in the entire week we spent in Donostia. Food was…read morefantastic. We ordered a few pintxos to share. Beer was excellent and cold. If I ever make it back, this will be one of my first stops. Very inexpensive, great value.

Four of us ate a variety of pintox for a late lunch. The pintxo are on display with numbers for…read moreeasy ordering. There's lots to choose from. You are given a form to fill out with your selection and hand to the person behind the counter. The waitress will bring your food to the table. I mis-wrote one item and received something different. It was a Korean-flavored chicken skewer. I liked it a lot. The house wines are very inexpensive. It's a lively place and seemed quite popular with the locals.

Excellent! Higher end pintxos prepared very well. Generous portion of foie gras with sides that…read morehelped break the high fat content. Friendly service with a very nice and spacious interior. Most importantly you order by marking your selection on an order sheet.

What a wonderful find! MUST VISIT ON YOUR TRIP!! We were wandering by when we looked through the…read morewindow and saw how modern this place looked. We glanced at the menu and decided to give it a try. They have a wide variety of food. We got several dishes to share. Beginning with table guacamole, they give you the components to mix for yourself with a mortar and pestle. I hate onions and cilantro, so I was able to get my share before my friends mixed them in! Served with crispy chips, it was a nice change from regular pintxos in the area. Next was the ceviche, tuna and sweet potato (with a lot of onions), onions aside the tuna was delicious with a well balanced spice of peppers that were included in the dish. Next up was the Iberian ham cheese quesadillas: perfection! The simplicity of the dish was what made it taste so good. Exactly what it sounds like, but the cheese was delicious. But the BEST part of the meal was the al Pastor tacos! They were better than some of the tacos I had in Mexico City! Perfectly seasoned meat, with just the right amount of guacamole. MUST HAVE!!! Lastly, the desserts! The churro dessert was AMAZING! And the rice pudding was also delicious, light and flavorful! We were all amazed by this meal. Everything was delicious. The most consistent meal we have had by far during our stay in San Sebastián.

What a treat! This place is barely visible on the street, but it's worth finding the signless door…read more The wood paneled walls draw you into a bustling restaurant. I came for lunch on a Monday. The menu is an inventive blend of Peruvian, Mexican, and Spanish. They have menus in English if you ask for it. The atmosphere is casual, but we ended up spending $50 for a two person lunch. The service is friendly. They bring plates out in courses, so it's easy to have a relaxed drawn out meal here. You don't feel rushed. The abodaba tacos were the highlight. The slightly crispy texture of the meat was heaven. The Sweet Potato Causa was a table favorite too!