Boutique hotels
-
Astoria7 Hotel
- Style
- Film-star fabulous
- Setting
- Foodie-friendly San Sebastián
San Sebastián Eating, drinking and dancing
Restaurants
(+34 (0)94 331 1209)
Akelarre
Another restaurant with three Michelin stars to its name, at this one your innovative New Basque cuisine is digested alongside floor-to-ceiling views of the green-and-blue hills-and-sea combo outside. Look out for roast suckling pig, boneless milk-fed lamb and sautéed foie gras.
56 Paseo Padre Orcolaga, 20008
(+34 (0)94 327 8465)
Arzak
This three-Michelin-starred restaurant is the birthplace of New Basque cuisine, often touted as one of the best places to eat in the world. Take a seat in the sleek brown-and-white dining room of this former family home for pigeon over a vinaigrette of flowers, roast lamb with a coffee veil and strawberry gazpacho.
273 Avenida Alcalde Elosegui, 20015
(+34 (0)94 342 0475)
Beti Jai
The dining room of this seafood restaurant is stacked high with walls and walls of wine to wash down your squid cooked in its own ink. If you eat standing in the bar upstairs, your bill will be half the price.
22 Calle Fermin Calbeton, 20003
(+34 (0)94 331 7096)
Branka
A stylish crowd gathers at this three-floor trendy-nightclub-styled restaurant on the western tip of Ondaretta Beach, where seafood (anchovies with strawberries and cod with risotto) comes with views of the bay through the vast glass panes.
13 Paseo Eduardo Chillida, 20008
(+34 (0)94 314 0024)
Elkano
This asadore (where meat and fish are grilled on an outside brazier) has a genteel exterior perfectly befitting a seaside town (flapping pastel awnings and bay windows). Wooden beams, grandfather clocks and dashing drapes all adorn the interior where you’ll dine on the freshest fish and perhaps a dessert of sheep’s cheese sorbet with strawberries.
2 Herrerieta, Guetaria, 20808
(+34 (0)94 355 0031)
Fagollago
This farmhouse in the countryside has sat above the Urumea river in Ereñozu for over 100 years. The interior is crisp, classic and comfortable – come for fine, hearty meat, sure to have been hunted nearby.
68 Calle Ereñozu, Hernani, 20120
(+34 (0)94 342 0180)
Juanito Kojua
This simple and small seafood restaurant in the Old Town is known throughout Spain – its decor is basic but its fresh fish is brilliant.
14 Puerto, 20003
(+34 (0)94 336 6471)
Martin Berasategui
You’ll have to venture 20 minutes out of town to eat at this three-Michelin-starred resturant – but you’ll be rewarded with menu creations along the lines of filled pig’s trotters and celery ice-cream. The restaurant has an elegant dining room resembling a grand conservatory with wooden beams and lots of potted plants.
4 Loidi Kalea, 20160
(+34 (0)94 352 2455)
Mugaritz
The Basque answer to Heston Blumenthal, Andoni Luis Aduriz executes some off-the-wall ideas in his double-Michelin-starred kitchen. Dishes include sheep’s milk curd with toasted fern and frites made from blackened radishes. The restaurant is like a spa retreat, tucked in the countryside. And for fastidious foodies, there are toothbrushes in the bathroom for palate-cleansing between courses.
20 Aldura Aldea, Errenteria, 20100
Bars
(+34 (0)94 327 5026)
Bar Bergara
In the quieter haven of Gros (away from the wild txikiteos taking place in the old town), try the bikote – a mix of vinegar, anchovies and chillies on a toasted baguette.
8 General Artetxe, 20002
(+34 (0)94 342 2575)
Bar Ganbara
This one’s known for its mushroom-based pintxos – but you can also get tarts stuffed with onions, carrots and spider crab and mini-croissants filled with Jabugo ham and smoked salmon.
21 Calle de San Jerónimo, 20003
(+34 (0)94 342 6394)
Bar La Cepa
Pile in the pinxtos in this dusty old bar that’s decorated with bullfighting paraphernalia and hanging hams.
9 Calle Treinta y Uno de Agosto, 20003
(+34 (0)94 342 8106)
Casa Gandarias
It won’t just be the pinxtos knocking you off your stool here – you can buy Spain’s best white wine, Belondrade y Lurton, by the glass. And there’s also an impressive range of Scotch on offer.
25 Calle Treinta y Uno de Agosto, 20004
Juanaenea
Start off your traditional pintxos tour with some deep-fried shrimps, tuna and anchovies on baby baguettes and seared foie gras.
22 Calle Treinta y Uno de Agosto, 20003
(+34 (0)94 343 5446)
La Cuchara de San Telmo
The specialities here are cod fried in beer batter, foie gras in parsley sauce and shots of lukewarm garlic soup.
28 Calle Treinta y Uno de Agosto, 20003
(+34 (0)94 342 2227)
Txepetxa
Fans of the humble anchovy will delight when they see the pinxtos board here – its home to the best la Gilda (the city’s signature pinxto of anchovies, chillies and olives on a toothpick) around. They also come served with sea urchin roe, tapenade or strips of papaya.
5 Calle Pescadería, 20003
Cafés
(+34 (0)94 300 3165)
Cafeteria Kursaal
This modern café is located in one of San Sebastián’s most famous architectural landmarks – the film festival’s home, right on the waterfront.
1 Zurriola
