Restaurants
San Sebastian has a lots of restaurants to tempt you with gourmet cuisine. In this section let us tell you about famous Txuleta in the traditional basque restaurants, sea food delights, daily lunches and unforgettable Michelin experiences! We will also give you details about restaurants that we recommend in each section.
Basque restaurants in San Sebastian
It is no secret that the Basque Country attracts thousands of tourists in many ways due to its gastronomy. Experts are eager to visit not only numerous restaurants with Michelin stars, but also traditional establishments. They serve dishes whose recipes have not changed for decades. The menu may vary depending on the season but the recipes remain the same. In all the establishments you will definitely find cod with pil-pil sauce or a la koshkera with clams. In the colder months of the year, it is common to serve beans with spicy chorizo, blood sausages and other cured meats. Fish and meat are usually grilled. If you don't think this is authentic enough, try chuleta - a thick steak on the bone. Choose it rare and order a bottle of cider, just like the locals do.
WE RECOMMEND
AITANA (City center)
People from all over the world gather in San Sebastián and bring something new to the city's vibe and gastronomic diversity. There are also Basques who embark on journeys around the world and want to share their experiences with the locals upon their return. That's how a new restaurant Aitana was created in the city center.
See more details about Aitana.
GRONX (Gros)
Both locals and tourists are equally willing to visit this specific place in the city. On the one hand, it has the modern atmosphere of a loft similar to the ones on the streets of Madrid, London or Berlin. On the other hand, it has traditional Basque cuisine based on zero mile marker products. Such an unusual combination is also contained in its name Gronx. See more details about Gronx.
KAPELA (Antiguo)
Kapela is exactly a traditional Basque restaurant that tourists look for in guidebooks, and foodies from different parts of the world, hunt for. It is located near the Ondarreta beach and welcomes guests both with pleasant coolness in the bar/restaurant area and gentle sunshine on the spacious terrace. See more details about Kapela.
ALTUNA (City center)
This boutique bar not only gives a pleasure from food but also creates a mood. Decorated in emerald colors, it sets a calm and peaceful state of mind. Here visitors can relax from the city hassle and immerse themselves in the world of traditional flavors that are served using best mestizaje techniques…
See more details about Altuna.
IKAITZ (Gros)
This charming small family restaurant is located on a bustling street in the trendy Gros neighborhood. Argentinian chef Gustavo Ficoseco, in love with the Basque Country, knows perfectly well how to bring out the juiciness and colors of traditional Basque dishes when serving. Just look at the dishes like warm salad with lobster and mollusks, brochette of… See more details about Ikaitz.
SALTXIPI (Gros)
Would you like to experience the essence of Basque family culinary traditions passed down through generations? Head to Saltxipi, a restaurant located in the Gros district, away from the tourist hustle and bustle of the Old Town, yet just a step away from the refreshing sea breeze.
See more details about Saltxipi.
ZMARE (Gros)
Zmare restaurant offers a unique opportunity to dine while almost touching the waves. Located right on the promenade of Zurriola Beach, in a historic building with a rich past, it features an elegant dining space with a perfect terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows.
See more details about Zmare
Seafood restaurants in San Sebastian
The proximity of the Atlantic makes the Basque Country a unique region whose cuisine is rich in a variety of fish and seafood. Atlantic hake, cod, monk-fish and turbot cooked on a charcoal grill constitute the core of the fish menu of the restaurants. Traditional recipes of fish soup with shrimps and mollusks, as well as the famous fine-textured hake cheeks (kokochas) are passed down in families from generation to generation. Any gourmand will be amazed by the choice of seafood dishes. Just what's worth the Persebes, a mollusk that looks like a dinosaur's foot and has been given many names in other languages like sea duck, sea acorn, sea truffle. A must in every Basque restaurant would be a squid in its own ink and small calamaris (chiperones) served with caramelized onions. In the seafood restaurants along the port of San Sebastian and in the old town you will find Atlantic hermit crab (changurro), giant bright-red shrimps (carabineros) and traditional rice in a broth with molluscs (almejas and berberechos).
LANPERNA (City center)
Do you love unique places that have long become legends in the city but are not so easy to find because they don’t have neon signs, nor huge posters? Where, just by chance, you might be seated next to the Michelin star chef. If so, Lanperna is what you’re looking for.
See more details about Lanperna.
SEBASTIAN (Port)
In the heart of San Sebastián’s port, where yachts gently sway on the waves and sightseeing boats depart for Santa Clara Island, lies the hidden gem —Sebastián restaurant. There’s no pretentiousness here — just sea air mixed with the scent of grilled fish and terrace tables just steps away from the water. See more details about Sebastián.
International cuisine in San Sebastian
Even though there is plenty of quality local food to enjoy, foreign cuisine has also found its way to San Sebastian. There are many European, Asian and Latin-American restaurants as well as burger places, pizzerias, sushi and take-away spots.
KAI STREET FOOD & DRINKS (Antiguo & Gros)
Any food product that finds its way to San Sebastian sooner or later becomes gourmet. This fate also befell the street food classic burger. Chef Jon Dávila's tireless research and passion for innovation has translated into the city's most creative burgers at Kai Street Food & Drinks.
See more details about Kai.
KENJI SUSHI (Old Town & City Center)
What is the most important ingredient in sushi for you? The owner of Kenji Sushi bar, after whom the establishment is named, reviles it is rice. He brings rice, as well as seasonings and sauces, from Japan. See more details about Kenji sushi.
Michelin restaurants in San Sebastian
No talk about San Sebastian gastronomy would be complete without going over its top quality, avantgarde cuisine. Basque culture puts a big emphasis on food, so it is no surprise that it has become a booming experience of combining traditional dishes with innovative techniques and ingredients. We can assure you that dining in one of these superb restaurants is quite an experience. World renowned chefs like Juan Mari Arzak, Martin Berasategui, Pedro Subijana, Andoni Luis Aduriz and many others will make your ten-plus degustation course unforgettable! Exceptional service, great settings and excellent food is guaranteed, in combination with much more affordable prices than in other Michlens around the world.
Lunches or Menú del día in San Sebastian
During weekdays many restaurants offer a menú del día, a very cheap but quality way to eat. It typically consists of a two-dish course followed by a dessert (coffee is normally excluded). Each course offers a selection of three or more homemade, often seasonal, dishes and normally includes bread and water or soda. You can also change water for wine or a glass of beer. Sometimes, Basque cider is also included in the choice of drinks. These daily menus are simple but very good for filling you up for a whole afternoon, and full stomach helps you dive into the local culture by taking an afternoon nap called siesta. Some places offer similar menus in the evenings or weekends, but these tend to be more elaborate and pricier, of course.