Arenales is that hip, natural wine bar with a small yet exquisite ever-changing menu. Petite but charming, this place serves appetizers to share and munch on with influences from Italy, Spain and Argentina. Spot-on for a casual winter afternoon and dreamy for a carefree date night.
Casa 887 is a modern and laidback restaurant two blocks away from Playa de Zurriola. This iconic spot is home to the fusion of various cuisines, think Peruvian and Spanish flavours blended with traditional Japanese techniques. Known for its creative dishes, unconventional for the classic culinary scene of San Sebastián. Everything here is magnificent but the dishes that everyone talks about are: the Bomba rice with Huelva carabinero shrimp, the steak tartare, the Tuna nigiri and seared scallop with truffle nigiri and for light bites: the braised beef cheek empanadas and the crispy pork gyozas.
Although we come to San Sebastian for pintxos hopping, some places, like Bar Manojo make the exception. Bar Manojo is a quaint spot hidden between hardware stores and greengrocers. With a fun menu that changes seasonally, the main objective is communal feasting; sharing as many dishes as possible. Their interesting lunch or late-night bite options as well as their rare wine varieties are what makes us pin this place on our maps.
Narru is the ideal spot for a fun fine-dining evening. This restaurant is the master of detail and carefully curated dishes, following the line of traditional cuisine with a disruptive twist. Whether you visit for their tasting menu or order dishes to share (they will kindly split the course into individual plates so everyone can eat from their own), you MUST try the following other-worldly delicacies: Seasoned tuna belly, Oxtail, foie, mushrooms, and truffle ravioli, Pork tail with carabinero shrimp, Seasoned oyster and for dessert: their warm cream cheese with red fruits.
Erre is a restaurant run by Obra, a Mexican from Cuernavaca and Ane Lore, a Basque from Beasin. Although they are not fans of labels, their restaurant is fueled by the combination of both their native cuisines. Like many other restaurants in the city, they love a grill and the subtle but sublime flavour of charcoal. Erre serves a daily changing menu, assembled from the early market finds. Besides their staple dishes, they also have a creative tasting menu and like anyone would expect from a Mexican and a Basque, a surreal selection of wine and mezcal.
