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.

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.

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.

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.

Bar Nestor is one of those Old Town legends that actually earns the legend. It's tiny, slammed, and…read morelaser-focused on a few things they do better than almost anyone: the once-or-twice-a-day tortilla (you put your name down before service and pray), the txuleta that comes out perfectly salted, tomatoes and padrón peppers in season, and a handful of small plates that remind you why Basque cooking is among the greatest in the world. Our favorite bite here wasn't even the gorgeous stuffed ravioli, it was a "noodle" dish where the noodles are actually spiralized squid. Silky ribbons of txipiron, barely kissed by heat so they stay tender, tossed with good olive oil, a little oniony sweetness, herbs, and a snowfall of grated cheese (Idiazabal-like in flavor). Simple, clean, and surprisingly creative at the same time. Exactly what Donostia gets right at its best. The room is a crush (in the best way), the team is friendly but no-nonsense, and the whole operation runs very predictably: show up early if you want tortilla; be ready to stand; order the classics and whatever seafood they're excited about that day.

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.

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.

This place was worth the half hour wall from our hotel in Old Town into a more local residential…read moreneighborhood. We had reservations at 9pm and when we got there the place was packed with locals. We were prob the only out of towners. The energy was buzzing! Because it was such a local place most people spoke the local dialect but there was one waitress who spoke decent English! Bread and tin can sized spread was brought to the table. It was a fish spread that was creamy like foie but not rich like foie. We polished that tin clean! Great start! We also started off with a refreshing bottle of local white wine. Iberico Jamon We ordered the half portion of this which game pretty generous and with con tomate spread. The Iberico had deep nutty flavors. Mushroom croquettes Pintxos sized. Bite sized round morsels of goodness. Crunchy with hints of woodiness. Mussels croquettes Pintxos sized as well but bigger in size. We ordered one of this and that was perfect. This was my fave croquette. There was def no shortage of mussel bits giving it that distinct texture and flavor. Best Salt Potatoes That is a tough name to live up to! Initially at first glance they didn't look like anything special to me. Until I took my first bite.. Skin is dry but when you cut up to eat you taste the salt flavor and when you dab a bit of the con tomate, the velvety texture and sweetness comes out. Loved! Scallops with Thai Juice Pico De Gallo This came served on the shell. Fresh and Steamed perfectly with meat being tender and not chewy or overdone at all. The lemongrass juice and Pico de Gallo was a match made in heaven! Mushroom Ravioli w/Truffle Oil Skin thin and tasty! Pintxos serving. Two bites of happiness. Nutty mushroom flavor. Sauce not overwhelming or heavy. Just right! Panbao Hake Tempura Curry Mayo Wakame Salad I'm usually not a bao fan. This mantao was done as good as the Asians do it. Super soft with a slight hint of sweetness. The Hake Tempura was a Chunky and flaky fish perfect for that fish and chips effect but not breaded heavy like they do it in the UK. The curry Mayo was subtle and the Wakame salad gave it nice texture. I was a fan! Hamburger Japanese Emulsion Cheese Onions Extra creds bc this was perfectly medium rare. A thick burger with nice brioche bun. Hubs and I shared this. A very good burger. We were stuffed but we saved room for dessert!! Pistachio Cake Yogurt Ice Cream and Lime Ice Opted for this instead of the famous San Sebastian cheesecake. This was OMFG delicious. Not heavy at all. The balance between the cake and the yogurt ice cream lime ice was something I never would have thought of but it worked!!! Service was on point. Staff was professional and accommodating! Love local neighborhood non touristy joints like this!!

Awesome find!! We are staying at NH and found this cute little gem. We ordered several tapas and…read moredishes. Everything was tasty and well plated. They offer a tasting menu. Need to find a time slot to try!! Good service and very reasonable priced. Love this place.

Came here to Zarautz for some good Tapas and a walk along the Boardwalk. It was around 1.30pm and…read morethe place still busy, but there were some empty tables outside. Our Bulldog was welcome as well. This Tapas Bar is located on a busy and lively plaza. Great atmosphere, lots of local customers. The restaurant mostly has raciones and Tapas. Exactly what we came for. Go grab some Tapas at the bar. Some you have to order and wait for them to be ready. For this you'll get a buzzer. Wine by the glass is tasty and well-priced. We ordered Foie Gras with egg and goat cheese (crazy, but good combo), goat cheese/pepper, croqueta/pepper and a veggie/goat cheese tapa. Also a small Jamon sandwich and following small plates (raciones): grilled shrimp, scallops and a tasty small piece of suckling pig. All the Tapas were really tasty, hot and freshly made at this time of the day. Prices are on the lower end. We had three glasses of wine each and all the Tapas and raciones. Came in under 50 Euros for everything. A really fun and also very good Tapas Bar. Surely a place to come back to one day.

Amazing service and the food was excellent. Really enjoyed the crispy bacon (Jamon Iberico) and…read morecider (sidre).

fun! lively on a monday evening. great wine and pintxos selection. friendly staff. attractive room…read moreand outside terrace.

Great pinxtos, beer, wine and reggaeton music. Indoor and outdoor seating. Quick service.read more

Amazing pinchos, polpo with egg and especially the sautéed liver with apple mix. 2 euros each !read more

Silver Medal winner! Best tapas in pamplona! Fun cute couple with great service runs it.read more