The Basque region is famed for its tasty pintxos, or small snacks
Be sure to take a tour of the famous pintxos bars in San Sebastian
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Credit: auralaura / Shutterstock.com
Paella – another Spanish classic
Burnt cheesecake is another local specialty
And of course, wash all that great food down with world-class red wine from the local Rioja wine region
credit: Bulgn / Shutterstock.com
Last updated: 06 February, 2024
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Seafood in all its forms is the star in San Sebastian, where chefs rival one another in inventiveness. Truffles and wild mushrooms, Iberian pork, succulent beef and exquisite seasonal vegetables; some Michelin-starred places have even started offering vegetarian menus.
Many chefs take pride in sourcing all their ingredients locally – many of which are beautifully displayed the city’s indoor market, the Mercado San Martin.
What to try
Look out for classics such as marmitako (seafood stew), bacalao pil-pil (cod fried in garlic, olive oil and chilli), hake koskera (in green sauce), txipirones (squid cooked in their own ink) and baked txangurro (spider crab); as well as rustic porrusalda (leek and potato soup), alubias de tolosa (black bean and pork stew) and Basque chicken stewed with red peppers and a range of lamb dishes.
For dessert, try Basque burnt cheesecake, or pastel vasco (almond and vanilla cake). They also make an excellent tangy Idiazabal sheep cheese. For drinks, there’s sidra (fizzy local cider), sparkling txakoli (tangy white wine) from Getaria and the lovely red wines of Rioja.
San Sebastian’s world-famous three-Michelin-star restaurant (since 1989!), run by Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena Arzak, who won the prize for the world’s best female chef in 2012. There cellar holds some 100,000 bottles of wine.
Right in the medieval centre, this contemporary bar uses the finest ingredients in its traditional and avant garde pintxos – their prawn skewers are famous. Good wine list too. Best to book a table as it fills up fast.
Located just over the river in Gros, this bar has won prizes for its exquisite nibbles. You can make a meal of them (there’s a set menu) at one of the tables.
Dine on cod dishes and steaks in this traditional cider house (sagardotegi), just outside San Sebastian. They’ve been making cider here for over 500 years. They offer guided tours of the apple orchards and cider works; their typical set menus are online.
San Sebastian’s central market, just in from La Concha bay, opened its doors in 1884, and underwent a complete transformation in 2006; along with traditional food stalls, San Martin now hosts concerts and cultural events.
Txokos in San Sebastian are exclusive gastronomic societies aka private clubs that bring together food enthusiasts to gather, cook, and share meals. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the local Basque cuisine and meet local food connoisseurs. Access is by private, organised tour. Book a special visit in advance with San Sebastian Pintxos or Basque Tours.
Adult price Varies
Good for age: 30+
Duration: One evening
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Duration: Any
Getting there & doing it
There are 11 Michelin starred restaurants in and around San Sebastian: Kokotxa, eMe Be Garrote, Mirador de Ulía, Alameda, Zuberoa and Elkano all have one star; Mugaritz and Amelia have two, and Akelarre, Arzak, Martin Berasategui have three.
Bars here specialising in pintxos (Basque tapas), small meals skewered on slices of bread with a toothpick, that local chefs have refined to a high culinary art. On at least one night, take a txikiteo (tapas crawl).
San Sebastian is also renowned for its members-only gourmet supper clubs, the txokos, where everyone cooks up gourmet delights to impress their friends; to enter you’ll need to bag an invite from a member or go on a special tour (see below). Also look out for Sagardotegi, traditional cider restaurants, specialising in grilled meats and fish, and home-made cider.
Who to go with: organised tours
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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening)
San Sebastian
Viator
In a food mecca like San Sebastian, there are some places you just can’t leave without trying—and we’re going to visit them all tonight. Come with us to San Sebastian’s pintxos headquarters, the Old Town, where we’ve carefully chosen the best bites the city has to offer for you. As we go, we’ll teach you what to do—and what not to do!—so you can successfully navigate the pintxos scene during the rest of your trip.
- Don't miss a thing in a city known for its food—we've selected the best for you!
- Squeeze into a bar that's a San Sebastian institution for locally-caught seafood.
- Learn the unwritten rules of pintxos so you can eat like a pro during the rest of your stay.
- Enjoy classic pintxos in the classic style: standing elbow to elbow in bars packed with locals!
- Conquer all of San Sebastian's must-visit bars in one night.
Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with Discover San Sebastian
San Sebastian
Viator
#10 Top Best Food Experience in the World 2022
Our unrivalled experience in the world of gastronomy and our worldwide culinary expertise makes us the perfect guide to show visitors the unique Basque city of San Sebastian, a city loved by its inhabitants and a location without compare for food lovers from all over the world.
Experience the famous bar hopping tour tasting couple of pintxos, basque tapas, drinking local wine while gathering with locals in the old town of San Sebastian.
Visit some of San Sebastian's best pintxo bars with a food-culinary expert guide on this amazing and fun tour.
Enjoy the tour as a local on our private small group of just you, which means you can get to know the real taste of some typical San Sebastian pintxos.
Amazing tastes of local different pintxos and wines, beers or soft drinks
Learn about the culinary-gastronomy culture of San Sebastian
Visit bars and restaurants like a local
Private small groups for an intimate atmosphere.
PRIVATE TOURS. WE DO NOT JOIN PEOPLE OR OTHER GROUPS TO OUR PRIVATE TOURS!
Spoil your senses with the best pintxos, Basque tapas, on this 3-hour tour. Learn local customs as you are introduced to the history and food of San Sebastian. Sample delicious wines and stroll through the town accompanied by your English-speaking guide.
Pintxos in San Sebastian Private Gastronomic & Cultural Adventure
San Sebastian
Viator
Why do Basques eat so much? Why do Basques eat so f ***ing well? Our pintxo tour of the best bars in San Sebastián will help you learn the answer to this question, but if you don’t, well, at least you will have tried, eating as much and as well as a Basque.
A grand but charming beach resort in northern Spain famous for its glut of Michelin-recognised restaurants and superb pintxos. Thie foodie destination is also a short hop from the world-class wines of La Rioja.