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.
Running since 1951, Casa Julian is a recognized eatery, driven by meat and a grill. This spot is well-known for many reasons. Firstly, it was one of the first Basque steakhouses to replace beef with ox meat (the star of the show and a non-negotiable speciality). Secondly, the Julián Rivas came up with a "parrila inclinada" (a slanted grill that allows the fat from the meat to drip away and flow into a container rather than falling onto the coals and causing flare-ups. This design ensures an even and controlled roasting process). Lastly, they developed an innovative roasting technique, in which coarse salt played a fundamental role in enhancing the flavours of the meat. Besides the ox, try their Txuleta, the sausage and their grilled seasonal vegetables on the side.
Elkano is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in Getaria, the southernmost point of the Bay of Biscay. Due to its distinguished location, the speciality of this place is fish grilling. A revolutionary tasting menu is crafted daily, depending on the catch of the day and the seasonal produce available. This fine dining spot is considered the most prestigious place to eat fish in all of Spain, so, if you are into seafood, you know where to go.
Geralds Bar, both the one in San Sebastian and its other side-of-the-world twin (it's literally in Sydney) is many Basque's heaven. The one in Europe is a cosy corner with memorabilia decor and a splendid collection of displayed natural wines one can always pick and drink. Gerald's is known for its Spanish and Italian fusion, which is why we advise you to go for their iconic anchovies if you are a fan, their unmatched Steak Tartare and their mouth-watering Homemade Tagliatelle with Ossobuco Ragout. However, we are always big fans of trying out the daily menu.
Humo is the best pizza in the city. This paradisiac pizzeria gets its praise from its disruptive ingredients and unique combinations. Our pick? Sun-dried tomato and almond cream, brie and sheep ricotta, Kalamata olive tapenade, anchovies, and basil. Local ingredients: chorizo and pimenton in the wood-fired dough... can you think of something better? We can't. Visit for a chill late lunch of yummy appetizers (like pickled eggplants and sesame toffee) and their other-worldly pizzas.
Kai Sushi is a contemporary restaurant focused on elevated products, with a strong emphasis on local ingredients from both the region as well as Chile and Japan. The menu is divided into à la carte dishes and a tasting menu, and it is likely the best taste of Japan in Donostia. Order the Moriawase of nigiri, grilled carabinero with red miso butter and the iconic kokotxas in tempura with kimizu sauce.
This place has pure San Sebastián icon status. Always packed, La Cuchara de San Telmo is where locals, wine lovers and food obsessives squeeze in shoulder-to-shoulder, and no one minds. The space is tiny (around 12 meters), with an open kitchen that fills the air with the scent of sizzling pork and seared tenderloin. The menu is tight, inventive, and unforgettable. Start with the slow-braised beef cheek in red wine jus or the Galician-style octopus grilled and topped with chimichurri. The real star? The crispy, boneless cochinillo from Leitza, roasted low and slow in beer. Order that—then order it again.
Laia, the 7th Best Grill Restaurant in the World is a grill-based fine-dining restaurant half an hour outside San Sebastián and a few steps away from the French border. It is run by the Ayala siblings, Jon and Arantza. Jon is the head chef and expert on meat ageing. Arantza will advise you on the best wine and cheese pairings. Their expertise and passion lie in the grill and the distinct ceremonies that occur when cooking meat, fish, veggies and fruits. Visit for lunch and commence the journey at their wine cellar, waltz around their gardens (where you will see all their produce) and munch on as much Txuleta PREMIUM TOP as possible, it's unparalleled.
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.
Chef Iñaki Arrieta has been in charge of the traditional Basque delicacies at Rekondo for over 20 years. This cherished restaurant, nestled on the slopes of Mount Igeldo is remarkable for its top-tier local products and its proximity to ingredients... however, its wine cellar is one of the most popular in the globe. Stop by for an elite taste of Basque staples, a view of the bay of Donostia and everlasting bottles of the finest wine there is.
Many locals will stand by Simona's coffee, toasts and pastries for eternity. We don't oppose. This café is immaculate for brunching with friends before a morning dip in Playa Zurriola or, ideal for answering emails and munching on their cookies, sipping their Taro latte and devouring one of their many toast and sandwich options (we love their Señorita Croque). Simona is magnificent for post-sunset acai but even better for everyday speciality coffee runs.
