Here is a list of dining options in San Sebastian so you can get a taste of this beautiful city. While on tour, you have the chance to dine at some of its most renowned restaurants. This will introduce you to the reasons why Basque cuisine is among the world’s best.

With exquisite dishes such as pintxos, which is not a dish as such, but a typical appetizer, eaten in one or two bites and in which the ingredients are usually served on bread; txangurro, which is the name given in the Basque Country to the spider crab and is cooked in different ways, each one more exquisite than the other. 

Cod in pil-pil sauce, which is this fish cooked with this delicious sauce made with olive oil, garlic, and chili peppers; marmitako, which is a typical stew made with bluefish, potatoes, peppers, onion, and tomato; or a cod omelet made with crumbled cod, egg, onion, green peppers and garlic; we assure you that Basque gastronomy is one of the best in the world.

It is important to point out before we begin with a list of restaurants in San Sebastian, as it has been with other Spanish cities. We are only highlighting a portion of the great restaurants in the city. 

Because this list contains only ten suggestions, we chose to highlight a few of them and include prices for all budgets so that this list can be adapted to travelers of every kind.

10 Best San Sebastian Restaurants To Eat Quality Food

1. Txepetxa

Recommended and known by locals and travelers, this is one of the most recommended restaurants in San Sebastian where you can try some of the best pintxos in the city, which have even won several awards.

Keep in mind that the place is small and usually crowded, so if you want to have lunch or dinner with a little more space, it is advisable to go outside peak hours.

With dozens of options to choose from, we recommend you not miss some of the Antxoa pintxos. These include spider crab, black olive pate, sea urchin, blueberries, or gardener. These are always prepared at the moment, making it one of the best restaurants to eat in San Sebastian. 

There are hyper-realistic dishes on display made in plastic in the purest Japanese style, and those served come straight from the kitchen.

The price is between 2 and 4 euros per skewer, depending on the one you choose.

Address: Fermin Calbetón, 10

Opening hours: Every day from 12h to 15h and from 10h to 23h.

2. Bar Sport

Located in the old part of the city, this is another of the most recommended restaurants in Donostia if you want to taste and enjoy some of the best pintxos in town, served by the friendliest staff.

In addition to the hundreds of options available at the bar, we recommend you not to miss the foie gras, the txangurro, the mini hamburger, the sea urchin, and the mushrooms with cheese, and the cheesecake for dessert.

Pintxos are priced between 2 and 3.70 euros, and portions range between 3 and 14. This is also one of the cheapest restaurants in San Sebastian.

Address: Fermin Calbetón, 10

Opening hours: Every day from 09h to 00h

3. Bar Nestor

One of the best things about the city is its relationship with gastronomy, which is undeniably one of the best in the world. 

It is perfectly visible in places like Bar Nestor, one of the most popular restaurants in San Sebastian, with their txuletón with tomatoes and the potato omelet, which they claim is one of their finest offerings, along with the Padrón peppers.

Keep in mind that only one omelet is made in the morning and another at night, and both are divided into 19 pieces, so if you want to try it, you should go around noon to queue and make sure you get one of the delicious pieces. We know this is rare, but the queues will prove to you that those minutes in line are worth it!

The price of the salads is 5.50 euros, the tortilla 2.20 euros, the Gildas 1.75 euros, and the txuletón 44 euros/kilo.

Address: Pescaderia 11

Opening hours: Every day from 11h to 15h and from 20h to 23h.

4. Bar Gorriti

With countless options to choose from, the pintxo bar at Bar Gorriti is undoubtedly one of the best in San Sebastian, where you can taste the best product served in the most friendly and professional way.

And this is something that you will be able to see as soon as you enter. Here in San Sebastian, both locals and tourists gather to enjoy the most traditional pintxos.

Highly recommended are the tortilla pintxo, the croquettes, which for many are the best in Donosti, the fritters, the tuna with onions, and shrimp gabardina.

The price of the pintxos is about 2 euros and keep in mind that you must pay in cash.

Address: C. San Juan 3

Opening hours: Every day from 07h to 22h

5. Karrika Tavern

Also located in the old part of the city, Karrika Taberna is another of the most recommended restaurants to eat in Donostia.

With a huge bar, where you can find dozens of options of pintxos, all made with quality products and perfectly cooked, we recommend you not to miss the artichoke and zucchini pintxo, the txuleta with Gernika bell pepper, the cod croquettes, and for dessert the spectacular cheesecake.

The prices of the pintxos are more or less 2-4 euros depending on the product.

Address: Calle 31 de Agosto 26

Opening hours: Every day from 09h to 00h

6. La Cuchara de San Telmo

Another great place to eat in San Sebastian is this small restaurant, whether for lunch or dinner if you want to enjoy an authentic experience, in which the food is cooked with passion and the flavors are present in every dish.

In addition to a pintxo bar with an infinity of varieties, the tapas are also highly recommended, among which the kokotxas, scallops, razor clams, foie gras, and octopus stand out.

Keep in mind that it is usually full, so it is worth going outside peak hours if you want to have lunch or dinner without many people.

Half portions cost between 7 and 14 euros more or less, and pintxos cost between 2 and 4 euros.

Address: Calle 31 de Agosto, 28

Opening hours: Every day from 12:30h to 17:30h and from 19:30h to 23:30h.

7. La Espiga

One of the most recommended restaurants in Donostia is La Espiga, a restaurant known to locals and travelers alike.

Authentic and traditional cuisine without sacrificing quality. Here you can enjoy, along with friends and neighbors, some of the best pinchos or dishes of the city.

Highly recommended are the stuffed peppers, Gildas, cod, and croquettes, among many others. Keep in mind that the place is very well known and fills up very fast, so if you want to eat quickly, it is worth going outside peak hours.

The price of the dishes is between 10 and 15 euros and the pinchos about 2-3 euros.

Address: Calle San Marcial 48

Opening hours: Every day from 10 am to 7 pm

8. Atari

Known for serving some of the best signature pintxos in San Sebastian, this restaurant is another good choice if you want to enjoy a special lunch or dinner while you get to know the city.

In addition to the famous pintxos, you also have the option of choosing between different rations or half portions. Tapas/pintxos cost between 2-4 euros, and the dishes cost about 6 euros.

Address: Calle Mayor 18

Opening hours: Every day from 1 pm to 11 pm

9. Arzak

Arzak could not be left out of this list of the most recommended restaurants to eat in San Sebastian with three Michelin stars.

Although it is not an option for all budgets, the average tasting menu is 240 euros per person. We assure you that eating here will be an unforgettable experience. 

You can enjoy a unique signature cuisine, made with market produce cooked in an avant-garde and creative way, without losing sight of tradition and Basque roots.

The price of the tasting menu is 242 euros per person, and the a la carte menu, which includes an appetizer, a starter, a main course, and a dessert, is 190 euros per person. Remember that reservations are highly recommended, especially in high season.

Address: Avenida del Alcalde José Elosegi, 273 BAJO

Hours: Every day from 13:15h to 15:15h and 20:45h to 22:30h

10. Akelarre

Like the previous one, this list of restaurants in San Sebastian could not miss a mention of Akelarre, a place known throughout the country.

Pedro Subijana’s Akelarre restaurant opened in 1970 and has had three Michelin stars since 2007. It has been converted into a hotel with a spa, a new restaurant-bar, and unique spa terraces..

Currently, there are two different menus available for 240 euros per person each, which we assure you, are exceptional. Remember that reservations are highly recommended, especially in high season.

Address: Padre Orcolaga, 56

Opening hours: Every day from 13h to 14:30h and from 20h to 22:30h.

Another option to delve into the local culture and taste Basque cuisine is to book an excursion to a cider house in Guipuzcoa or this gastronomic tour of Ordizia and San Sebastian from Bilbao. Both ranked among the best tours and excursions in San Sebastian.