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.

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.

One of many bodegas in the Gros Area. Clean, kinda hip and a good value. I had a grilled asparagus…read moreand egg special. It was delicious. Service was good but they were pretty busy

Good hearty rice with squid if you want something that isn't on the ubiquitous baguette bread. My…read morelunch compatriots all were craving salad and opted for a big salad with tuna. Glad I got something harder to get but it worked for them. A little chaotic when a big conference is going on a block away at the convention center but the tables on the street are covered and were always full when I walked by twice a day for five days.

One of many surprises on the General Artetxe Kalea. A little Taberna with great prepared Pintxos,…read moreand a great selection on the blackboard. We came early on a Saturday afternoon for the famed Bergara (justifiably so) on the northern end of the alley, but discovered (and enchanted by) an huge congregation anchored around a triangle of spots on the southern end: Pagadi, Bar Roberto and Bar Ricardo. Bergara was crowded, but these latter 3 seem to exert the strongest gravitational pull among the revelers.....

Great little tavern in the Gros neighborhood of San Sebastián. They have a nice menu as well as…read moresome really good traditional Tapas. It is very popular with the locals. The owner is kind and friendly and the food is excellent. Don't expect to be served quickly however. And they do not take credit cards. Very family-friendly as well.

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.

Delicious and highly recommend! This spot lives up to the hype. Highly recommend the beef cheek and…read morerisotto. The place does get packed but we got lucky and went right when they open and was able to get a spot at the bar.

If you are coming to San Sebastián and you have done your foodie homework, you will know about the…read moreSpanish Tortilla of eggs potato and onion. Most likely you will hear about how Bar Nestor makes 2 per day and you have to get in line early to get on a waitlist for one of the slices. Well, I showed up to Bar Nestor the first morning in San Sebastián to fight it out, to only find the Moose telling me, "Sorry Folks Park's Closed" for 2 week vacation. %#&@! Ok, I started googling around, I bet locals don't put up with this wait in line stuff...so I researched where do locals get their Tortillas, and Bar Zabaleta came up along with Bar Bergara as 2 of the best spots in town that locals enjoy. So it's Sunday morning, we showed up right when they opened at 11 for a tortilla de Patata and a cup of coffee, and sat outside with only a few other people. Wow it was amazing, I would eat this every Sunday if there was one at home. The potatoes and onions are cooked in olive oil, then drained, then beaten eggs are added for the potatoes to soak up, then put into a hot skillet to cook the outside, then flip it and do the bottom. I don't know how good Bar Nestor's Tortilla is, but I can't imagine it being any better than Zabaleta's. In fact eating this one back to back with Bar Bergara, we all liked Bar Zabaleta's better. It was more savory between the two. I also liked the laid back vibe here after competing with food tourists for Pintxos the past few days. The perfect quiet Sunday morning of Tortilla and coffee:

Outstanding tortilla / Spanish omelet. Meatballs were homemade and tomato sauce was fresh made.read more

The service was great, and food was delcious My wife even…read moregot a bag of ice for her sore foot.

Pure kismet brought "Khaki Campbell" into our lives. We headed from Washington DC to San Sebastian…read morein search of the storied Basque cuisine and our 10 year old's dream to learn surfing at the world renowned Pukas Surf School. Referred by her Adonis-like surf coach, Astrid rode her last wave right into Khaki Campbell, a hidden treasure by the Cantabrian Sea. We had already spent five days in the city and a lot of money on meals that didn't compare to the sublime, savory, simple culinary pleasures of Khaki Campbell. The spectacularly warm and gifted chef Berta lights up her charming spot like a Spanish Julia Childs --minus the espionage . Great food abounds - especially her Spanish tortilla (Spanish omelet). Included is a picture of the last tortilla seconds after it hit the table; our kids devoured it so fast, the nearly empty plate says it all. Wow, what a delicious and pleasurable memory. Even today, six months later my wife and I felt compelled to come online to share our experience and treasure with you. We miss it so much --- so go ENJOY and let us live vicariously until we can return. Huge hug of appreciation to you Berta! Love the Determan Family..... Astrid, Sebastian, Monique and Tedd

Fantastic food, great service and great prices. Plus - for celiacs like me, the menu was labeled…read moreso well. It clears shows what is gluten free, vegan, and everything else. A very well documented menu. We are underneath a tree canopy with an orange tree. Cool space. The only bad thing was that we ordered one dish and they brought out something we did not order instead. It was ok. But we just rolled with it. There was a slight language barrier. I got the Thai Curry with Chicken and it was great. No line to get in either the night we were there.

Beautiful garden and a peaceful respite after the crowded pinxto bars. Lovely waitress in the AM…read morewith good English skills and the menu was not just tostadas! Very near the bus station.

A bit of a bummer, when I came down side market was closed. It looks like they're doing some…read morerenovations. I'm sure once it's open it'll be nice.

Very nice market and I recommend you visit when in San Sebastián. It opened in 1870. There are some…read morestores with olives and gourmet products, but it's mostly butchers and fishmongers. There's also a huge shop with bacalao, or dried, salted cod. Outside, there are produce and flower markets. There is also a great cheese shop outside. A central part of old town.

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.

I feel so bad writing this review because the place is crowded and there's usually a wait. But it…read morewas the best food we had in San Sebastián, better than the Michelin places. I will be dreaming about their lamb for the rest of my life. Service is cramped and chaotic, but friendly. Limited drinks list. But none of that mattered