Ugh, I want to be honest but I also want to highlight the good part of the experience, for it was…read morenot a wasted meal. This was not a favorite flavorful experience, for the most part. We did however thoroughly enjoy the small sirloin steak. It was tender, perfectly cooked medium rare, delicious and the best part of the meal. It came with fries that were properly crispy and delicious. Perfect amount of salt and so good!! I would go back for the steak in a heartbeat!! We ordered the tomato and tuna salad, it was OK. Wouldn't order again. The poached egg was different and tasty. It had mushrooms and I enjoyed it. I would order this again. The clams were tasty but a bit larger than I usually like them. I wouldn't order them again. Absolutely did not like the crab. It had so much of the shell that had to be spit out. I would not order this again. I would go back for the steak!! The wine was not my favorite either, we got a bottle of Muga. I will ask for a recommendation next time. I also thought it was super strange that almost everyone with a jacket was asked to hang it on the coat rack (which we didn't notice when we entered), but ours hung from our chairs. This was a last minute trip and we booked what we could for dinner. While I loved the steak, the other things we ordered were a miss.

We shared a majestic, 5-star tomahawk steak cooked perfectly inside a fire oven/grill. We also had…read morefries and a simple, much needed green salad - both were very good. Service was delightful because it was happy and frisky.

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.

Excellent pintxos and Sangria. Walk up to the counter and pick a few out. Definitely worth your…read morevisit.

The best tapas I had in all of Spain and note that I have visited Madrid, Sevilla, San Sebastian…read more(Donostía), Pamplona, Zaragoza and Barcelona. We had six or seven different tapas and I cannot decide which one was the best. They were all outstanding. We had mushroom croquetas and pan con tomate. Also excellent.

Excellent place for pinchos or a meal. They had great hot pinchos and a kind and helpful bar staff…read more They are also were a lot of locals there and it seemed to have a good vibe. If you order a beer you get a large one, a pint. This is very unusual for Spain. I would highly recommend this place if you're looking for a local out-of-the-way place. It is a grill and specializes in various kinds of meats, but still has lots of varietiy to offer.

We were looking for a traditional "cider house" meal and boy did we find it. Look no further -The…read morefood was fantastic and the experience was nothing short of awesome. The experience consists of a 5 course meal (set menu) which consists of little chorizo bites followed by an amazing cod omelette and then a plate of some of the best cod we've tried served with some perfectly fried crispy onions. the last dish tops them all with a huge aged steak cooked to perfection (a bit rare) before a dessert of cheeses and quince paste - all washed down with a variety of surprisingly unique tart ciders. As amazing as the food was, the experience surpassed it with regular calls to the barrels to pour yourself your own refreshing glass of cider and mingle with the locals. The staff is amazing- they took the time to tell us the long family history (15 generations!) in the ciderhouse following family recipes and explaining the menu and traditions. The best surprise was a new champagne like cider they offered us to try. We liked so much we even bought a case to take home.

From the owner: Sidrería tradicional en Astigarraga.read more

From the owner: En el centro de Astigarraga, corazón de las sidrerias, contrasta y destaca la comida tradicional…read morevasca que sale de los experimentados fogones de Maixol Zabalegui Anabitarte, cocinera y motor del restaurante Goikoitturri donde se aunan el mimo en el hacer con la calidad de las materias primas, pescados y carnes. En un ambiente agradable para que tu y los tuyos os sintais como en casa. Prepárate a abrir los sentidos. Pescados frescos del día como los rodaballos salvajes, la reconocida sopa de pescado de obligada degustación, la clásica pero tan especial tortilla de bacalao, almejas, chuletónes, solomillos, etc.

We worked super hard to get to this local side of the road resto. We biked about an hour steep…read moreUPHILL to get here. It was recommended by a local! The reward was a delicious lunch on the terrace! Beef Stew This plate of beef stew was delicious. It tasted like it's been stewing for hours on hours. Tender and simple salt flavor. Not greasy. Just plain finger licking good. Calamari Just a light dusting of flour for breading and fried. Served straight up with lemon. So flavorful and tender. Bacalao Egg on Baguette Eggs and bacalao Scramble on a toasted baguette. Fluffy and good flavor. Bacalao not super salty. Great protein and carbs for our ride down (another hour and half of hills) Washed it all down with some coca cola and a glass of white wine. Def very local spot. Would have never found it had our bike shop guy never mentioned it!!

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.