Gastronomy in San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a recognized gastronomic oasis that offers a lot of culinary experiences. From simple pintxos (miniature, artistically prepared dishes) to delicious foie gras and basque txuleta (a thick steak on a bone). Here you can enjoy a wide range of wild-caught seafood as well as all kinds of fresh meats. You can lean at a bar to have a quick snack with a beer, or sit in a restaurant until midnight enjoying a traditionally-late Spanish dinner with a rich Rioja wine. Having the largest number of Michelin stars per capita, San Sebastian sparkles unlike any other gastronomic city in the world. You can choose from six one-star (Alameda, Elkano, Kokotxa, Mirador de Ulia, Zuberoa) to three three-star restaurants (Akelarre, Arzak, Martin Berasategui)– depending on your tastes and budget ($100 - $250+ meal per person).
Somewhere between the magnificent, and sometimes difficult, selection of pincho bars and the complex magnificence of the Basque Michelin restaurants, there is a huge category of restaurants in which you can have a wonderful Basque cuisine meal for a reasonable price. In the north of Spain, siesta is just as important as in the south, but it lasts less due to a more balanced climate. From 1-4pm bars and restaurants are filled with people. Some choose to have a glass of wine and irreplaceable tortilla but the majority prefers the menu of the day, the cost of which varies from 14 € to 18 € for an aperitif, a main course, beverage, bread and dessert (or coffee instead of dessert).
Read more about RESTAURANTS.
Food critics say that no matter what bar you walk into in San Sebastian – everything will be delicious. We think that this is absolutely true. Old Town, where bar counters groan with trays full of delicious mini-dishes meticulously prepared by crafty chefs, is the best place for pintxo tasting. You ask a bartender for a plate, then select your pintxos and pay at the end. Rarely do pintxos exceed the cost of 3 euros each.
Read more about PINTXOS.
Sidrerias are best to visit in winter; popular with both tourists and locals. From February to April, a regular family outing is a Saturday visit to a cider house. Basques combine a Saturday morning walk in the mountains with lunch at a sidreria, that includes txuleta-steak, fish and omelet (with cod and green Gipuzkoan peppers) and sausages that in the Basque Country are truly traditional.
Read more about CIDER HOUSES.
Basque Country is situated in the north of Spain on the Cantabrian hills along the Atlantic coast. Its soil is generously irrigated with rain and creates a favorable climate for a wine-making. And even though there is not so much sun as in the south, salty sea wind and humidity allow growing unique grapes and apples. Gourmet restaurants with Michelin stars and traditional bars in the Old Town have something to offer not only to gasto tourists but also to wine tasting enthusiasts. Basque Country is famous for its delicate sparkling wines, apple cider and strong liqueurs.
Read more about DRINKS.
New type of coffee shops have appeared in San Sebastian where the quality of the grain, country of origin, roasting and serving are important. True coffee lovers are willing to pay an extra euro for magnificent views, excellent service, gluten-free cookies, real carrot cake, beautiful dishes and a short consultation the professional barista regarding which coffee to take home.
Read more about COFFEE SHOPS.
SWEETS
The proximity to France, largely explains the love of the Basques to quality chocolate and gourmet pastries. Cozy shops scattered around the city, offer hand-made truffles, orange slices covered with dark chocolate and a local version of home-made cheesecake. Coffee, tea or freshly squeezed juices are also offered to complement sweets in many of these shops.
Read more about DESSERTS, SWEETS AND PATISSERIES.
Bread is very popular in San Sebastian - a daily must; a way of life. Bakeries are located on every corner and attract customers with the smell of ground coffee beans and delicious, freshly-baked pastries in the French style. It depends on the size of the bakery but usually there are at least ten types of bread. Here, you can always have a leisurely breakfast, read the newspaper and, of course, converse with locals. Small talk at the bakery is a great opportunity to practice Spanish. In addition to traditional bakeries such as Oggi Beri, Tahona or Lekuna, new bakeries have emerged. Some have Scandinavian style design with decent collections of high-quality tea, others an open kitchens and a baking courses for those who are interested.
Read more about BAKERIES.
Basque cuisine prides itself in excellent quality dishes but amazing results can only be achieved by using the best ingredients. Gourmet shops offer these ingredients to both professional cooks and amateurs who want to try their hands at the finest recipes. They also carry local products like olive oil, chorizo, jamón, olives, wines, etc.
Read more about GOURMET SHOPS.
San Sebastian is a mecca for those passionate about gastronomy in general, and healthy food in particular. Local food - for geographical and climatic reasons is a very good quality. For those who enjoy integrated rice and pasta, distinguish quinoa from Gulum, prefer almond to cows milk, and are accustomed to the taste of spirulina – there are Eco Stores. You can either go to the cozy community store Sentido Commun, next to the Bretcha market, or to the gastronomic concept-store Organic 49 located on Urbieta street in the city center.
Read more about ORGANIC FOOD AND ECO STORES.
Besides supermarkets, small grocery stores and farmers' markets, there are also specialized butchers’ and fishmongers. The fresh catches are rich in variety of fish (here it is classified into white and blue) and other seafood. You can find everything from delicious hake cheeks to snails, still retaining the distinctive smell of the ocean. Butchers’ shops besides different meats and meat products (ham, salchichas, etc.) also sell farm eggs, cheese, cereals and fresh bread.
Read more about BUTCHERS AND FISHMONGERS.
The first farmer’s market in San Sebastian, steeped in with local history with magnificent architectural design, arose before Buen Pastor cathedral appeared on the city map, in the 19th century. The market of San Martin was a miniature copy of that in Bayonne, but offered very different produce. Instead of French cheeses and wines, there was a variety of vegetables, meats and cereals. Several years ago, the old building was demolished. In its place a shopping center was built that combines under one roof a flagship Zara, multi-media store Fnac, a supermarket, and the farmers market itself.
Another farmers market, la Bretxa, is also worth visiting. Its counters are located in the gallery connecting the boulevard and la Bretxa plaza. The market is small but notable for its floral section, cozy atmosphere and vendors that sell superior quality self-grown products by local farmers. There are many other farmers markets that sporadically appear in different neighborhoods and suburbs of San Sebastian known only to locals. Fairs and fiestas often accompany these events at which you might find Basque folk music and dance, enjoy grilled txistorra (basque pork sausage) and cider straight from the barrels. The locations of these secret farmers' markets can be found here.
Walking through the market can be a great start to a Saturday morning.
Read more about FARMER MARKETS.