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    Arzak

    4.4 (155 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSpanish
    Closed 1:00 pm - 3:30 PM, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

    Arzak Photos

    ARZAK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Upscale
    Quiet
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Arzak

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    Nelson M.

    What a special night. A dining experience and sophisticated ambiance that was one of the best. Maitre de Cesar and Sommelier Mariano made us feel like family. Of course the food was as Tony Bourdain one said - Spectacular! Check out the pics - beautiful presentation and intensity of flavors! When we come back we would like to experience the "chef's table "!

    Susan K.

    Everything about Arzak in San Sebastián is perfection. From the moment we entered the restaurant we were greeted so warmly. We sat in the downstairs dining room. The room is decorated beautifully. Everyone in FOH was kind and professional. The food is the star at Arzak. Each course was presented as artwork. The freshest ingredients were used throughout the meal. What a memorable evening.

    Poached lobster
    Greg S.

    We experienced a wonderful meal at Arzak. Service was top notch and the food was excellent...and not overly exotic as many Michelins can be. We also had few choices of dishes which was nice touch. Highlights were the roasted pigeon that melted in your mouth, pork belly inside wafers, poached lobster, and crusted egg dish. Lots of flavors mixed together beautifully. Of course the dish presentations were right on point. Plenty of food but not excessive either. Food was nicely coursed in a timely but not rushed manner. Chef Elena personally reviewed menu with us and followed up at end of meal. One for the best dining experiences in a long time.

    Jordan C.

    Of the 3 - restaurants we have been too this one had the overall best food. I loved every second of this place. The building itself is charming. A bit out of town. Nestled in the hills of a neighborhood, you escape to begin this magical culinary journey. I loved that the place allowed us an intimate and more private meal too. Many places play up the theatrical dining experience (and that can be fun too!) but this was lovely. Just us at a table with impressive, but not showy service. We did the chefs tasting menu and were lucky enough to sub out a special or two. The chef came to each table to ask how we were and how the meal was. Loved meeting her! Again, classy but not boastful or showy. And she has a right to be! I would travel back from the states for this meal again. Each bite was divine.

    Hillary P.

    A once in a lifetime experience! Enjoying the culinary, expertise and talent of Chefs Juan and his daughter Elena (voted the best female chef in the world 2012). The restaurant is unassuming, located in a quiet neighborhood of San Sebastian. We were warmly greeted and l an upstairs dining room that had no more than a handful of tables. The dining room is cozy and does not distract from the dining experience. The food experience was phenomenal and unforgettable. The chefs menu offered a wonderful variety of memorable experiences, all paired with a wonderful wine tasting menu. Highly recommend this for anyone who can appreciate the talents of this remarkable restaurant staff.

    Hake throat
    Sean C.

    The whole evening here was amazing. Chef came to the table and had a chat with us and thanks us for visiting as we left. All the staff were amazing and attentive whilst being warm and friendly. The food was amazing! I much we had with local basque wine

    Diane U.

    Absolutely amazing experience. Our group enjoyed every bite from the tasting menu and met the Chef. It was a beautiful evening filled with new flavors and fabulous wine.

    Kelcy D.

    We lucked out and got a lunch reservation due to a cancellation. We were quickly seated and attended to. Staff walked us through the tasting menu and drink offerings. We opted for the tasting menu and a bottle of wine. They do have a tasting menu with wine pairings. The meal flowed and each dish was creative and so beautifully presented. And delicious! We appreciated that we got an explanation of each dish and told how to eat the components (sauce and eat in a single bite). We loved the monkfish, marbled egg, lobster,  and oysters. I was happy to try pigeon for the first time. Chef Juan and Chef Elena stopped by each table and chatted for a bit. We even got to talk more with Chef Elena after our meal and took a picture with her. This was a very special meal. Exceptional service and just a one-of-a kind experience! We can't wait to go back.

    Duck and veal
    Amy L.

    San Sebastien is known for food and this 3 Michelin star place is a must. Atmosphere: classy and simplistic Food: beautiful artpieces. My favorite presentation is the last dessert: chocolates and pastries shaped like butterflies on a tree. The seasonal egg is divine. Service: very attentive Wine: great options and pairings. My personal favorite is this dry white wine.

    Dish delivered in error...please don't hurt the server
    Yonnie C.

    Whoever described the servers at this place as Handmaids Tale incarnate is true. Also. A closer look at the uniform has the red letter "A" inscribed, reminiscent of the infamous Scarlet Letter. The atmosphere is understated but not stuffy or old fashioned as some reviews suggested. The three star Michelin rating is probably awarded in support of new ways to spin basque gastronomy rather than mind blowing flavors. Starters can be split but main Courses can not. So you wouldn't be walking out with a bill less than 150 euro per person even if you tried. Haha. A course was brought to us by mistake. My husband already took a bite after photos, before another server realized the error. She scolded the server who brought us the plates saying over and over in Spanish that the plates are not meant for us. The first server noted that my husband had already ate a small piece on the dish and was going to let him finish the dish, only to be scolded some more by the Overpowering server, taking the dish and led away. All we are hoping is that they didn't redress the plate and serve it to another patron. The aperitif are colorful but flat on flavor. The starter lobster and yellow crab is good. The main iron beef is ok. The mezcal dessert was super foamy and consistent with the pricing. (Written by husband)

    Jordan R.

    I hate to leave a low review, but unfortunately this was not a 3 star Michelin experience or worlds best restaurant for our group. During our time in San Sebastián and Bilbao we ate a several Michelin and non-Michelin and this was one of our least favorite restaurants. To start, the wine recommendations were not helpful. We wanted a champagne to start, and Vueve Cliquot was recommended for our group. I'm not sure if it's because we're younger but I was surprised to see a major house brand like that on the menu at a three star let alone recommended to us. No offense to vueve because it's great at certain times, but that's not really been an elegant wine to start with. The rest of the recommendations weren't great and we had to end up googling our own. For the food, it wasn't the best. I think it was overly innovative and didn't focus on core basics like balanced flavor. The plating was fun and interesting but it just didn't wow us. The service was a bit rough too, but my guess is that's the reopening due to covid. It seemed like servers were learning a bit on the fly. This is also super picky, but every three I've been to also does little things like help you to the bathroom, fold your napkins while you're gone and remove the crumbs from the table. They didn't do that, which would have been fine if the food and wine would have blown us away. I'd recommend one of the other Michelins in the area until they get back on track.

    Elena Arzak, thank you for teaching me today.

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    2 years ago

    Arzak is phoning it in...not worth the money. The staff were snobbish and not helpful.

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    3 years ago

    It wasn't anywhere close to good. All the entrees were awful but the desserts were good. It's only saving Grace.

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    Atari Gastroteka - Foie gras with sweet corn and white chocolate

    Atari Gastroteka

    4.5(156 reviews)
    3.0 km
    €€

    not too long to move from standing bar to a table. pintxos blood sausage and shrimp done so well…read more the texture and flavor is approachable for all palates. pork belly with amazing citrus hummus was unique, also the hake with pea emulsion was tasty, pulpo was a large portion and worth it, beef cheek and mashed potato perfect

    Service was good and restaurant was nice not too crowded and lots of options to choose from on the…read moremenu. They also had the menu in english which is helpful. We opted for a few pintxos for lunch while we were visiting town. We also had a couple of drinks my husband got whiskey with coke and I asked for a local cocktail since I'm not much of a wine drinker. I was handed a cup of pacharán which was a bit strong but was nice to try something different. The pintxos came out one at a time which was nice we were able to fully enjoy each on their own. The bao was the only one I didn't really like mostly the bun part. It didn't taste like it was cooked all the way and was a bit gummy and there was not a lot of meat filling. Next was the lamb which was really tender and flavorful. The couscous was ok nothing special and not much seasoning to it. Then the beef cheek and mashed potatoes came out which was the star of the pintxos that we had. It was also very tender and the mash was also cooked perfectly. All of this was shared between the two of us and was very filling. The waiter let us know that some of the pinxtos could also be ordered in a full size if we wanted. We enjoyed sampling the pinxtos and would definitely recommend coming here to get a taste of local cuisine.

    Photos
    Atari Gastroteka
    Atari Gastroteka
    Atari Gastroteka

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    La Madame - Asparagus

    La Madame

    4.5(44 reviews)
    3.2 km
    €€

    You must eat here. The food is outstanding. An eclectic menu with traditional Basque meeting…read moreinfluences from Asia, India, Latin America. All prepared with care and attention to detail. Portions are generous. Flavors are big and balanced. Just delicious, whether seafood or meat or vegetables. We had scallops in a deep seafood stock, grilled hake with Thai infused coconut milk and lobster oil, and classic Indian butter chicken. Each dish outstanding on its own, all from one kitchen is wow. Presentation is thoughtful and beautiful. Vibe is cool without trying to be cool. Feels relaxed. Fun music playing without being loud or intrusive. Staff are fun and friendly and precise in their care. And to take it all to the next level was our host, Cesar. Not just thoughtful and welcoming but his passion for each dish and the care and thought that goes into them was obvious. His joy is genuine and we appreciated him sharing details with us so we could be part of the fun. In a city with so much wonderful food, La Madame stands out because it is a sit down restaurant, serving fresh and inspired and delicious food, with care and creativity and obsessive detail and pure happiness. Make a reservation, it's worth it. And take in the joy Cesar shares with you through every dish.

    Good Many people had…read moresaid this place was amazing. The service was really good. The Scallops and Hamburger were really good from what the people in our group ordered. The scallops were a main course but only had 5 scallops not starch or vegetables, great flavor. So both that ordered the scallops thought they should be more to the dish. The large prawns from Ecuador influence was delicious with basil and peanut sauce. Everyone said the Indian influenced butter chicken was best dish of the night. The pork potsticker from Vietnam Was really nice. The waiter we had took us on a great food journey during the description. The cocktails were great with a nice variety. The Bad: My group had a 4 star experience I had a 3 star experience. To start we were a party of 6 and they only brought 3 menus and they asked me for my order before I was even able to look at the menu. So having to wait on looking at the menu was rather rude in my opinion each customer should get a menu. So started off with a negative. Especially since they were asking us to order when 2-3 people hadn't even looked at the menu. The waiter should let everyone know to share the menus when they only bring three menus for a party of 6. I ordered the Wellington 2.0 It should be called .5 For me it wasn't an improvement on a beef Wellington it was not even half a beef Wellington. It was a take on Beef Wellington. But the puff pastry was an after thought that didn't even cover the top of my steak. They said the steak would be medium and recommended that. It was just below medium rare very blood. The broccoli was cooked okay but not really seasoned. I had never had parsnips but figured I would try something new it had foie Gras, also so I now know this combination is not for me. See photos So I don't recommend Wellington 2.0 Unless you just very rare medium rare, with parsnip purées and foie Gras.

    Photos
    La Madame - Chocolate lava cake

    Chocolate lava cake

    La Madame - Wellington 2.0 With some puff pastry, purée of parsnip with foie gras.

    Wellington 2.0 With some puff pastry, purée of parsnip with foie gras.

    La Madame - Shrimp ceviche

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    Shrimp ceviche

    Desy

    Desy

    4.7(9 reviews)
    2.2 km

    Desy is one of those places you stumble into once and then immediately start planning your return…read more It has that unmistakable San Sebastián charm -- relaxed, warm, and quietly confident about the food it puts out. The menu is tight, thoughtful, and full of little surprises, but the best bites are the burger and the anchovy pintxo. The burger is everything you want it to be: juicy, perfectly seasoned, and balanced in a way that makes you wonder why more places can't get it right. I think it's the secret cheese sauce that brings it all together. And the anchovy? A tiny masterpiece. Salty, silky, and packed with flavor -- the kind of bite that reminds you you're in a city that takes its food seriously. Service is friendly without hovering, prices are fair, and the whole experience feels like a local secret you're lucky to know about. Whether you're grabbing a casual lunch or easing into a slow afternoon, Desy delivers every time.

    Came here for the hamburgers and it did not disappoint!! The burgers were so juicy and flavorful…read more The meatball sandwich was really good too. Come early if you can because they do run out of items on their menu. The basque cheesecake was cheesy and perfect amount of sweetness. There were indoor and outdoor seating areas. The indoor area is small and narrow. Luckily we got a table, but we saw many people standing on the side drinking and having a burger. Quick service like all places in Spain.

    Photos
    Desy - Love this place!

    Love this place!

    Desy
    Desy - Cantillon on tap!

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    Cantillon on tap!

    Topa Sukalderia

    Topa Sukalderia

    4.4(13 reviews)
    2.3 km

    What a wonderful find! MUST VISIT ON YOUR TRIP!! We were wandering by when we looked through the…read morewindow and saw how modern this place looked. We glanced at the menu and decided to give it a try. They have a wide variety of food. We got several dishes to share. Beginning with table guacamole, they give you the components to mix for yourself with a mortar and pestle. I hate onions and cilantro, so I was able to get my share before my friends mixed them in! Served with crispy chips, it was a nice change from regular pintxos in the area. Next was the ceviche, tuna and sweet potato (with a lot of onions), onions aside the tuna was delicious with a well balanced spice of peppers that were included in the dish. Next up was the Iberian ham cheese quesadillas: perfection! The simplicity of the dish was what made it taste so good. Exactly what it sounds like, but the cheese was delicious. But the BEST part of the meal was the al Pastor tacos! They were better than some of the tacos I had in Mexico City! Perfectly seasoned meat, with just the right amount of guacamole. MUST HAVE!!! Lastly, the desserts! The churro dessert was AMAZING! And the rice pudding was also delicious, light and flavorful! We were all amazed by this meal. Everything was delicious. The most consistent meal we have had by far during our stay in San Sebastián.

    What a treat! This place is barely visible on the street, but it's worth finding the signless door…read more The wood paneled walls draw you into a bustling restaurant. I came for lunch on a Monday. The menu is an inventive blend of Peruvian, Mexican, and Spanish. They have menus in English if you ask for it. The atmosphere is casual, but we ended up spending $50 for a two person lunch. The service is friendly. They bring plates out in courses, so it's easy to have a relaxed drawn out meal here. You don't feel rushed. The abodaba tacos were the highlight. The slightly crispy texture of the meat was heaven. The Sweet Potato Causa was a table favorite too!

    Photos
    Topa Sukalderia - Ceviche comes in an this sculpture...

    Ceviche comes in an this sculpture...

    Topa Sukalderia - Mole

    Mole

    Topa Sukalderia - Inside

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    Inside

    Bar Néstor - Spanish Tortilla de Patata

    Bar Néstor

    4.7(159 reviews)
    2.8 km
    €€

    One of the best steaks I've ever had! To get a reservation you must show up at a designated time…read morefor same day reservations. For lunch get there around 11am. I think the lunch reservations are 1,2,3pm. For dinner get there at 5:30 pm for 8,9,10 pm seatings. They don't come out until 6-6:15 to take your name. They only take about 20 people per seating. Fixed menu. Torta, tomatoes, peppers and steak. They bring out raw bone in ribeyes and let you choose your steak. The steak comes out seared and raw on the inside on a sizzling cast-iron skillet. You are able to cook it to your liking on the skillet as you eat this incredible steak. No frills not totally worth the experience.

    If you come to San Sebastián and don't stop at Bar Néstor, you've skipped one of the city's great…read moreculinary rituals. This tiny, high‑energy bar in the Parte Vieja is famous for doing just a few things -- and doing them with absolute conviction. The lineup is legendary: the txuleta steak, the tomato salad, the Padrón peppers, and of course, the tortilla that sells out instantly. They make only two tortillas a day, and getting your name on the list feels like joining a local rite of passage. Here's the twist: although the tortilla is the most famous item, it actually wasn't our favorite version in the city. It's still fun to chase, still a cool story to tell, but the real stars of the meal were the steak -- charred, juicy, perfectly salted -- and the tomatoes, which taste like they've been engineered for maximum summer. They only make 2 tortillas a day, so you have to stand in line before they open to get a reservation for a slice. Inside, it's tiny, loud, and joyful. The staff runs the place with precision and a wink, and even when it's packed shoulder‑to‑shoulder, it feels like you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Come early, come hungry, and come ready for a meal that feels like a Basque rite of passage -- tortilla hype and all.

    Photos
    Bar Néstor
    Bar Néstor - Fresh tomatoes with olive oil and salt

    Fresh tomatoes with olive oil and salt

    Bar Néstor - Outside Façade

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    Outside Façade

    Arzak - spanish - Updated May 2026

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