I'm not letting anyone reading this in on a secret here...while San Sebastián is known for all…read moretheir Michelin Star restaurants, it's the Pintxos that will be the most memorable and really what foodies come here for. It's like a high end food festival out there, and you just bar hop from place to place eating all these wonderful Pintxos and drinking cold glasses of Txakoli - a refreshing lightly carbonated wine. Everything in Basque Country is local and they have it all. Atari Gastroteka was our first stop, and we showed up right when they opened for the first Pintxos of the day. We focused on the cold Pintxos at the counter, just pointed at whatever looked good and ate it. Some of my favorites were... The marinated red Piquillo Pepper stuffed with tuna salad on a baguette. Smoked Mackerel on tomato bread Smoked Salmon with shrimp, egg, tomato, cream cheese on a raisin walnut toast. Topped with pickled veggie relish. Man this hit every flavor profile perfectly. We needed a 2nd one of those when I went back for Round 2. Jamon with Brie, honey, on dark walnut bread. I'm pretty sure they quickly hit this with a blowtorch to get the honey to caramelize on the Brie and also scorching the bread slightly. I could keep going on....but whatever bites you get here will be fantastic. Best to go with people who enjoy sharing bites, so you can try many different things so you don't get full.

Atari was one of our favorite pintxos stops in San Sebastián. We sat outside in the open-air…read moreseating directly across from the beautiful Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, and the setting couldn't have been better. Watching the square come alive in the evening while dining beneath the illuminated basilica made for a memorable experience. We ordered several pintxos to share, and every dish was excellent. The standout was the Carrillera (slow-braised beef cheek with mashed potatoes), which was incredibly tender, rich, and comforting. The Platillo de Bonito with tuna, anchovies, green peppers, and olives was fresh and full of classic Basque flavors. The Panceta (pork belly) was another highlight, perfectly crisp on the outside and meltingly tender inside. We also loved the creamy Croqueta de Jamón Ibérico, and the Bacalao Confitado con Pil Pil de Piquillos was beautifully cooked, with delicate cod and a silky piquillo pepper pil pil sauce. We couldn't resist trying the Pintxo Especial as well, and it was a great addition to the meal. The staff were warm and accommodating, helping us get a table outside and making us feel welcome throughout the evening. Inside, the restaurant has a lively, authentic Basque atmosphere, but the outdoor seating overlooking one of San Sebastián's most iconic churches makes the experience even more special. If you're looking for traditional Basque pintxos in a fantastic location, Atari is an easy recommendation. We'd happily come back on our next visit.

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.

Place was closing for siesta so only stayed for one dish, those padrones which were superb…read moreNice beer on tap Service was friendly but rushed, understandable as they wanted to close Would recommend.

No trip to San Sebastián is complete without a pintxos crawl, and after seeing Borda Berri…read morerecommended over and over again, we knew we had to include it on ours. We actually stopped by the day before, but it was already closed, so we made sure to come back the following evening. It was definitely worth it. Unlike many pintxos bars where the food is already displayed on the counter, everything here is cooked to order. The place is small, lively, and always packed, with people spilling out onto the narrow streets of the Old Town while waiting for their dishes. It has that energetic atmosphere that makes San Sebastián's food scene so much fun. We ordered the dishes the bar is best known for, starting with the Carrillera de Ternera (beef cheek). It was unbelievably tender, rich, and practically melted with every bite. We also tried the famous Idiazabal "risotto," which isn't actually risotto but creamy orzo pasta cooked with smoked Idiazabal cheese. It was comforting, creamy, and completely different from anything we'd had before. One surprise of the evening was the tomato salad. It sounds simple, but the tomatoes were incredibly sweet and juicy, finished with excellent olive oil and flaky sea salt. Sometimes the simplest dishes leave the biggest impression. I noticed almost every table ordering the Pork Rib "Kebab," one of the restaurant's signature dishes, so that's definitely on my list for next time. If you're planning a pintxos crawl through San Sebastián's Old Town, Borda Berri deserves a stop. Come early if you can, expect to stand, order a few of the house specialties, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. It's easy to see why this little bar has become such a favorite among both locals and visitors.

Delicious and highly recommend! This spot lives up to the hype. Highly recommend the beef cheek and…read morerisotto. The place does get packed but we got lucky and went right when they open and was able to get a spot at the bar.

This was our first dinner in San Sebastián, made reservations ahead of time, because I heard so…read moremuch about their Txuleta steak. It lived up to expectations in every way. This steak is a much older cow (8 to 18 years old) than your normal US cow (1-2 years old). It's literally aged beef all those years while grazing, working, and milking. Such an amazing flavor. This is what we came here for. 40 oz of bone in ribeye for the table. Tabla de Iberico (half portion). This was the best charcuterie we had while in Spain. 4 amazing meats, definitely start your meal with this. Jamon Iberico de Bellota - stole the show, due to eating nothing but acorns, has such a nutty taste to it. But loved the other 3 as well. Chilled Spider Crab - this is another don't miss dish, although you can get it on Pintxos here and other places, this presentation in the crab shell is great. And it was the best crab salad we had anywhere. Txuleta 44 oz Bone-in Ribeye. They don't ask how you want it, it comes beautifully rare, nice crust on the outside, only topped with some course salt. It's not the most tender steak you've eaten, but the flavor makes up for it. You actually want each bite to last a bit. The fat has truly rendered into the meat here, delicious. Had to try both cheese cakes side by side Cheesecake #1 - House made Basque cheesecake with hazelnut ice cream. This was the winner of the two for me. Maybe not as fancy as the 2nd one. Cheesecake #2 - Rafa Gorrotxategi "Gandarias" Cheesecake with butter ice cream. This had an interesting top that was an apricot caramel glaze and an almond crust. It wasn't as sweet as the first one. Pretty though. We did return a few days later for their Pintxos and everything was delicious at the bar side as well. Can't see myself coming back to San Sebastián without eating here.

Mistral Coffee & Bakery has some very good ensaimadas and is definitely worth stopping by…read more I tried a few, but my favorite was the one with the cream filling. Soft, buttery, and perfectly balanced without being overly sweet.

After an hour and a half wait, we still thought it was worth it. The waiting is very fair…read more Mushrooms were a must. We tried the Gilda at every place we hit. And the strawberries macerated in pepper were a nice close to our bar crawl. It was a buzzy and fun atmosphere EXCEPT for the obnoxious East Coast Americans who thought that everyone wanted to hear their whole drunken English conversation. We were embarrassed for them.

Best of the tapas bars we checked in Donostia The staff…read morewere awesome, the shrimp, wine and tomato salad were top of the list!

If you're an anchovy lover, Bar Txepetxa is an absolute must in San Sebastián…read more Our tour guide, Javier, highly recommended it, calling it one of the city's best pintxos bars, especially for anchovies. He was spot on. There was a line outside when we arrived, but it moved quickly, and soon we were standing at the lively bar, just like the locals. Don't expect to sit. This is the authentic pintxos experience where you stand, eat, enjoy a drink, and soak in the buzzing atmosphere. Txepetxa specializes in boquerones, vinegar-cured white anchovies that are incredibly fresh, silky, and not fishy at all. They're marinated using a secret family recipe that's made this tiny bar famous for decades. We ordered almost every anchovy pintxo we could, and every single one was delicious. My favorites were the anchovy with jardinera sauce, topped with peppers and onions for a fresh, tangy bite, and the anchovy with trout roe, where the rich anchovy paired perfectly with the delicate pop of the roe. We also loved the anchovy with spider crab cream, which was incredibly creamy and flavorful. The walls are covered with photos of famous visitors, from celebrities to Spanish royalty, adding to the charm of this iconic little bar. Whether you're already an anchovy fan or think you don't like them, this is the place that might change your mind. The quality is outstanding, the service is fast despite the crowds, and the atmosphere is exactly what makes San Sebastián's pintxos culture so special. A definite 5-star must-visit and one of the highlights of our food tour in San Sebastián. I'll be dreaming about those anchovy pintxos long after this trip.

Got here right as they opened. There was no one there. Within minutes, seriously, minutes, there…read morewas no standing room available!! Crazy!! Tried a couple of anchovy pinchos and loved it all. I don't think we actually got the foie one, we got manzana instead but it was all good. Will be back, right when they open again. We could barely leave when we were done! Jaja! The anchovy only one was salty but went well with beer.

A true gem, and it will be hard for you to miss.. The line makes it fairly apparent. Nobody is…read moregoing to stand for an hour in the rain to eat food at a restaurant that is not good. This place rocks out of the park. Bring a poncho an umbrella and a bit of fortitude because you were going to need it if the day turns wet towards the afternoon. I recommend lining up 30 to 45 minutes ahead of time. There will be two lines. The first line is for inside which is PINTXOS, and plates. Outside is plates only. Inside there are approximately as many people as there are stars in the sky. You won't find an inch of ground that a human is not occupying. I strongly recommend sitting outside even if it's raining. The services attentive when you're sitting outside, the portions are nice, and you will really enjoy them.

This has to be the most insane Pinxto experience and probably one of the best meals I had during my…read moretime in San Sebastián. Lined up roughly 30 minutes before the doors open. And another 30 minutes after opening, it's not very clear at first once service starts going, but there is a long counter when you enter to the right hand side, where you place your order several people will be taking orders at once and once you pay, you have to find a spot to sit, which can either be indoor or outdoor. as your food is ready they yell your name and you have to be listening carefully. I would recommend ordering all your food upfront and if you need additional drinks during or after your meal, that's easy to order after the fact. We were there beginning of September and it was very hot. If you are someone that gets claustrophobic, this is a very tight hot space with a lot of chaos and people. That being said, this is one of the best meals we had. We ordered the full portion of the crispy sulking pig , octopus, beef cheeks and crema Catalana. Food runs out fast so my recommendation would be to lineup early before opening. If there's a specific item on the menu, you were looking forward to. I would 100% come back here.

Great drinks and burgers Deadly atmosphere and good humoured…read morebar staff Would definitely return

4.5*s You're there…read morefor the burger. They do other things well like the anchovy toast and even the cheesecake looks good (but it's not the same consistency as La Viña). The beer list has a little more variety and it's much more crafty than most pintxo bars in the area. Service was patient with tourists and pretty helpful. It's a tiny, narrow spot with not a lot of seating and the tables on the sidewalk don't have much shade for the sunnier months. All that said, again you're there for the burger. Ground t-bone steak cooked RARE, a mild, white cheese sauce that's borderline whipped cream cheese that melts more evenly and borderline fonduta, and a soft, bun that's brioche in texture without the egginess. Can't say it's my favorite burger in SanSeb, but it's still a good burger and worth the walk to the Gros side of town.

Simple, old-school, and delicious. This place excels at old-school pintxod. No elaborate…read moreMichelin-star touches. No 21st-century twists. Just beautiful peppers, amazing fresh bread, blood sausage, and other sausages. Made fresh in-house and served by a couple of older gentlemen who could not possibly have been sweeter to me and my wife. It's the sort of spot where, when you're finished with your pinchos, you toss the wrappers and napkins on the floor and head out. I absolutely loved the vibe in here. As low-key as it could possibly get. The pace is unhurried, but the food reaches you quickly, and you will be blown away by the quality of the sausages, the peppers, the olives, the cheeses, the anchovies and sardines, and all the other basics done so flawlessly that you'll want to come back again and again. A special request for blood sausage was happily honored despite it needing to be stuffed and cut fresh. A perfect place to begin your Donostia journey, because you'll get Basque food as it is, not a fusion or an elevated reinterpretation. Plenty of places in the Old Town do modern takes very well, but this is the fundamentals, executed with perfection.

It was around 11 am and I was surprised this place was open and serving pintxos and coffee. Seems…read morelike my clock is just in line with Spain and this was my first name of the day. The coffee wasn't as good as I've had another places, and I asked for a Caliente pitxo, which is supposed to be made fresh. He however, folded from under the bar and it was barely lukewarm. Only good part was it had nice flavoring. It's a small space with standing room only, but has a WC.

If you are coming to San Sebastián and you have done your foodie homework, you will know about the…read moreSpanish Tortilla of eggs potato and onion. Most likely you will hear about how Bar Nestor makes 2 per day and you have to get in line early to get on a waitlist for one of the slices. Well, I showed up to Bar Nestor the first morning in San Sebastián to fight it out, to only find the Moose telling me, "Sorry Folks Park's Closed" for 2 week vacation. %#&@! Ok, I started googling around, I bet locals don't put up with this wait in line stuff...so I researched where do locals get their Tortillas, and Bar Zabaleta came up along with Bar Bergara as 2 of the best spots in town that locals enjoy. So it's Sunday morning, we showed up right when they opened at 11 for a tortilla de Patata and a cup of coffee, and sat outside with only a few other people. Wow it was amazing, I would eat this every Sunday if there was one at home. The potatoes and onions are cooked in olive oil, then drained, then beaten eggs are added for the potatoes to soak up, then put into a hot skillet to cook the outside, then flip it and do the bottom. I don't know how good Bar Nestor's Tortilla is, but I can't imagine it being any better than Zabaleta's. In fact eating this one back to back with Bar Bergara, we all liked Bar Zabaleta's better. It was more savory between the two. I also liked the laid back vibe here after competing with food tourists for Pintxos the past few days. The perfect quiet Sunday morning of Tortilla and coffee:

Outstanding tortilla / Spanish omelet. Meatballs were homemade and tomato sauce was fresh made.read more