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    Haizea

    4.4 (23 reviews)
    InexpensiveBasque, Spanish

    Haizea Photos

    HAIZEA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Haizea

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    Small and cozy bar that serves pintxos. Friendly staff, good food, good prices. Our favorite pintxo was the brocheta de vieira y langostinos (scallop and prawn skewer)!

    Carlos P.

    Pinchos or "Pintxos" as the Basque say it... Impressive variety of hors d'oeuvres - prepared and on display at the bar for immediate consumption at a very reasonable price. As opposed to usual bar Tapas that are randomly brought out with alcoholic beverages ... Pintxos are gourmet style items with beautiful presentation and average 20 different varieties on display at the same time. If various exquisite foods would add joy to your trip, then you should definitely stop by here. These people are also regatta Participants in fans and that also is the decor theme on the walls with their team action photos during different competitions.

    Signature cod
    Jeff J.

    Anthony Bourdain, we solute you!! Sadly wife and I stopped by here a day before the tragic news of his untimely death. As seen on "No Reservation" this was our first stop arriving in San Sebastián. Articles on the wall described this as a favorite hangout for local and well know chefs. The bar is just as depicted, small and rustic. We arrived just as they were brining out the pintxos and the perfect way to introduce to basque pintxos. Wife and I tried variety of colorful and delicious items as well as their signature fried cod. The bartender poured us local txakoli in the traditional high arc style and pleasant and friendly, and despite having frequently served top chefs, super humble. Compare to rest of the places in old town and Gros area, at $1.90. Haizea served the cheapest the pintxos that's as good if not better. We ended up returning 2 days later and the only regret is that we will never to able to find a similar place serving such incredible food w humble atmosphere.

    not crowded at lunch
    Dillon L.

    Another stop on my pintxos crawl, I was looking forward to trying their popular brick of cod and langostine with seafood cream. The brick of cod was even better than I hoped. First of all, it's amazing how nice the presentation is for such a seemingly simple bar, as the sauce was carefully plated and the cod was wrapped in that crispy onion "bow tie." And the crispy onion was deliciously crispy. The phyllo dough coating around the cod was also amazing, since it was shatteringly crispy and light. And the creamy cod filling was great. The langostine topped with seafood cream was great, as well. The langostine is a nice size for the price. This bar is definitely worth visiting on your pintxos route in San Sebastian. That brick of cod is probably one of the city's essential pintxos.

    Lisa I.

    Anthony Bourdain's visit put this pinxto place on the map, and after striking out two nights before to stop here, we made it. Most pintxo places we had visited before this had a lot of English menus and English speaking staff, but Haizea was the first place we went to where there wasn't much Spanish being spoken and Basque was the preferred means of communication. We opted for the bocadillos - I opted for the one with shrimp and egg. These sandwiches are GIANT but oh so delicious. After a long day of traveling around Basque Country and being insanely hungry, this was perfect. Service was a little surly as we tried to order from the crabby ladies from behind the counter. Definitely be ready to provide your order if you're not picking something off the counter.

    Kim N.

    In the Parte Vieja, there are tons of Pintxos bars. So many of them that it's advisable to do the Txikito and hit as many as possible. However when Juan Mari and Elena Arzak show their preference for one, you best listen. Not only are they culinary geniuses, they are food lovers and super down to earth people. So I had to make my way here. I wish I had found it earlier but it was the last stop of the night. Even though the normal display had been ravaged, in my broken Spanish I was assured the kitchen was open for whatever I wanted. Txorizo, anchovies, pimientos, crab, bocadillos, etc. Stuff yourself or find just a few bites. It's up to you. The people were super nice and this is a totally low key almost off the beaten path kind of place. Just outside the busy part of old town to avoid the crush. Definitely worth checking if you're on a pIntxos run. 4.3 stars

    Paradise
    Liza Jane J.

    I still dream of this place. It was everything I wanted it to be, can't give it the full start because I didn't try enough here. A friendly guy greeting my American self ready to engorge on an absolute feast of the sense. As usual, for pintxos, there is a decadent, inviting selection at the bar. The warm pintxos are listed on the wall and the racciones are of course a bigger portion of pintxos. For the price and the claim to Anthony Bourdain fame the place was incredible. My favourites were the Bacalao Brick and the pintxo with eggplant, jamon and some kind of delicious cheese. In San Sebastian, amazing food is Everything and everywhere. The Basque people know how to eat, even when it's cold and pissing down, people can still enjoy a Rioja and delicious Pintxo. I'd love to live in the city for a year and try every place in Parte Vieja and fulfill my Arzak dream. And I enjoyed this place the morning after La Tamborrada, the city's festival day with people banging away (on drums) for a full 24 hours hours getting soaked in the Basque rain. That evening, there wasn't a seat to be had in Bar Haizea but the next morning my boyfriend and I had this lovely, lovely pintxo bar to ourselves. I recommend San Sebastian on any serious foodies radar but honestly everything here was superb and the service was bar none. Just remember what you ordered at Bar Haizea you pay for everything at the end of your meal! Pictures to come, a definite must go!!

    Buñuelos de bacalao (cod fritters)
    Carla D.

    Reportedly one of the oldest pintxos bar in San Sebastián. We came to this low key, unpretentious restaurant like most after watching Anthony Bourdain's TV show and after hearing that it's one of Juan Mari Arzak's favorite spots. Luckily this restaurant didn't suffer from that unsolicited fame and it's a bit separated from the more touristy area of the old town so it's not as crowded. I asked the lady at the counter what the house specialty was and she said they're known for their hot pintxos so that's what we went for. We tried the buñuelos de bacalao which are delicious cod fritters, soft on the inside and not too oily. We also had the langostino con crema de mariscos, a nicely cooked langostine with a creamy seafood sauce on top. Lastly we tried the libia, which is a creamy crab paste served with bread. All were good but the fritters and the langostine were the winners.

    Pinxto de vegetales
    Xavier C.

    This little restaurant is full of surprises, and really excellent surprises. We started here our pintxos tour for the night. Yes, apparently locals go and visit different pintxos restaurants in one night to treat themselves with different styles of cooking. Of course, you would have some beer or wine at each different place and let the night carry you away since you walk there everywhere. Back to the food, the craftsmanship and presentation of the pintxos are incredible, they take so much pride in their food that you can definitely taste the difference with other restaurants around town. We tried the vegetable pintxo and some sort of cod croquet. It is very hard to describe the flavors coming out of those two pintxos. The vegetable skewers were just outstanding, cooked to perfection and crafted into something not only appealing to the eyes, but your tastebuds. The other pintxo made with cod, was like anything I have tried before. It was like having a cod croquet, very nicely done, wrapped with a very thin layer of dough and quickly deep fried and served over a bed of a drizzled balsamic vinegar reduction. Again, the detail oriented to the preparation of each of this pintxos was perfect. The service was outstanding as well and very friendly. Once I mentioned it was my first time in Dan Sebastián, I was invited to return and let them provide me a sample of different pintxos I should try before leaving. That was actually very nice, and definitely will go back before leaving this beautiful city.

    Menu
    Christina L.

    This place was one of my favorites for pintxos; granted we only got 3 dishes here that they are most famous for, but they were all delicious and reasonably priced. No fighting to get a space at the bar or a place to eat, and no wait to order. We did get here on the earlier side on a Thursday night, but this place seemed more of a local spot a little more off the main drag, and seems rather unassuming from the outside and when you step in. They have a few pre-made pintxos out on the bar, but they seem to have 3 specialities that you order at the counter and are made freshly when you order. I'd recommend these three: Brick of Bacalo - This is a piece of cod wrapped in a phyllo pastry dough, deep fried, and wrapped with a twine made of leek, served over a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Delicious, and the fish is flaky and melts in your mouth. Highly recommend this. Foie gras with apple - Decadent, and the salty-sweet is a great combination. I really liked this dish a lot, and it was served with a grilled apple, on top of some apple butter or jam. Grilled langostino with crema de mariscos - This is a large grilled shrimp, butterflied open and grilled, with a delicious seafood cream sauce. The sauce is also great with the bread. Overall, great experience here - I think we paid 12 or 13 euros for the 3 dishes. We really enjoyed this place and would come here again and eat all 3 of these dishes again. Worth a stop if you're in San Sebastian!

    Linda W.

    Incredible opening hours from 6:30 am to 11 pm. The Brick de Bacalao was excellent so was the Shrimp and Cod fritter. They don't make the fried bacalao wrapped in caramelized onion bow with reduced balsamic anymore, did not try the Fresh foie with Apple, looked enticing.

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    food was fresh. server was friendly. menu all in spanish. we tried our best ordering with the help of the server

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    Review Highlights - Haizea

    We arrived just as they were brining out the pintxos and the perfect way to introduce to basque pintxos.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Atari Gastroteka - Foie gras with sweet corn and white chocolate

    Atari Gastroteka

    4.5(156 reviews)
    0.3 km
    €€

    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.

    This was our introduction to the ultra-clean and simple flavors of basque cuisine, served with an…read morealmost impossible degree of finesse and precision with some of the freshest ingredients imaginable. We were pressed for time, but the beef cheek here fell apart in our mouths and was married with a perfect red wine sauce over pillowy smooth mashed potatoes, and the shrimp were unbelievably delicate and cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of gremolata to compliment but not overwhelm. Delicious.

    Photos
    Atari Gastroteka
    Atari Gastroteka
    Atari Gastroteka

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    La Viña - Tarta de queso

    La Viña

    4.4(144 reviews)
    0.2 km
    €€

    La Viña is one of those rare places that completely lives up to the hype…read more I have heard about this cheesecake for years, and somehow it still exceeded expectations. It is hands down the best cheesecake I have ever had. The texture is unbelievably creamy, rich without being too heavy, and perfectly balanced. Simple, iconic, and unforgettable. If you are in San Sebastián, this is an absolute must. Some places become famous for a reason, and La Viña is definitely one of them.

    I only had three days in the Basque Country, and somehow I found myself at La Viña every single…read moreday. I simply could not get enough of their famous Basque cheesecake. There are countless videos claiming it's the original and the best, and after trying it for myself, I completely understand why. It was so good that I came back two more times during my trip, bringing friends along who loved it just as much. They ended up returning with their own families afterward. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. And while the cheesecake gets most of the attention, the rest of the food deserves just as much praise. The steak was honestly one of the best I've ever had. I visited two months ago, and I still find myself craving it today. The grilled prawns were also outstanding. Beyond the food, the atmosphere and overall experience at La Viña are fantastic. It's the kind of place that makes you want to linger and enjoy every moment. I would genuinely fly back to Spain just to eat here again. If you're visiting San Sebastián, this restaurant is an absolute must.

    Photos
    La Viña
    La Viña
    La Viña

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    Bar Néstor - Spanish Tortilla de Patata

    Bar Néstor

    4.7(159 reviews)
    0.1 km
    €€

    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.

    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

    Casa Urola - Left: artichoke with pumpkin; right: mushroom and cheese tart

    Casa Urola

    4.3(49 reviews)
    0.2 km
    €€€

    A must-visit for made-to-order, highly seasonal pintxos while in San Sebastián. Casa Urola features…read morea downstairs primarily for pintxos enthusiasts (made-to-order and pre-made pintxos paired with txakoli) and an upstairs sit-down restaurant for a more elevated experience. Both were highly recommended to me, but given my very ambitious food itinerary for San Sebastián, I opted for just the made-to-order pintxos downstairs. I found Casa Urola lively and busy, but not claustrophobic the way some of the other famous spots in Old Town can be, which was a HUGE plus. Coming on the earlier side of the evening crawl, I was actually able to snag a seat after ordering based on staff recommendations: the mushroom tart, the pumpkin and artichoke, and of course txakoli. The made-to-order menu is offered in both English and Spanish, which was a huge plus for an English-speaking tourist like me. Both pintxos were fabulous, highly seasonal, and ended up being favorites of the entire evening's crawl. I ended up sharing a table with another solo traveler and it was so fun to compare orders and see what we each thought was best. My biggest regret is that I was honestly still too full from my lunch crawl to try more. I wish I had been able to squeeze in another visit before I left San Sebastián, but alas, I'll have to save it for next time!

    A highlight of downtown Donostia. Casa Urola is a classic on Fermín Calbetón with a lively pintxo…read morebar at street level and a calm dining room upstairs. The kitchen (long led by chef Pablo Loureiro) leans into market-fresh Basque cooking: seafood and vegetables cooked simply and precisely, often kissed by the grill. Service is warm and polished and a cold glass of Txakolina feels made for this room, or standing just outside at a high top, as we did. Dish-wise, my runaway favorite was the artichoke hearts, charred and buttery, sitting in a golden, silky sauce with little shards of jamón and nutty crumbs. I could have eaten twenty. A seared scallop arrived in a light, foamy sauce, topped with a tangle of crisp seaweed and a few toasted seeds. Sweet, briny, and rich without being heavy. Don't miss the cheese-and-pine-nut tartlets: flaky pastry, caramelized onions, and molten Basque cheese (think Idiazabal vibes) scattered with pine nuts. Everything landed perfectly seasoned and balanced. We paired it all with Txakolina and left plotting a return just for those artichokes. Classic Basque cooking here with a faint French twist that left us wanting more - but of course, it was time to continue eating our way down the street.

    Photos
    Casa Urola - Gildas on display.

    Gildas on display.

    Casa Urola - Left: artichoke with pumpkin; right: mushroom and cheese tart

    Left: artichoke with pumpkin; right: mushroom and cheese tart

    Casa Urola

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    La Cuchara de San Telmo - My favorite

    La Cuchara de San Telmo

    4.4(137 reviews)
    0.3 km
    €€

    Believe all the 5-stars! Worth the 40min wait. We arrived early and they opened 15min late, all…read moreworthwhile. Staff, both front & back, were exceptional. No bad attitudes displayed considering the sheer volume of people & chaos. The four cooks churned out food like soldiers...major kudos to the young team. My only suggestion would be to redirect the line to the second door that leads to the outdoor dining. People didn't know to move forward b/c all the people waiting blocked the flow. I'd also get rid of the round tables outside and build a long skinny standing table. Favorite was the hake. I usually avoid seafood due to sensitivities but what the hey, a bite here & there on holiday won't kill, plus, if you're gonna risk it, this region is as good as it'll get for clean seafood. The scallop was my 2nd favorite. We didn't get the beef cheeks b/c we were going to have steaks later...wished we had, looked divine. If there's just 2of you, opt for the smallest so you can chomp on different pintxos.

    As a warning, you should get here before they open and wait in line because if not, it's a mad…read morehouse. You can get in where you fit in. And just like all the pixtos bars here, seats are for larger portions or set menus and not pixtos. They are known for their suckling pig. Their skin is so crispy and their meat is nice and juicy. Beef cheek is also a must try! We also got the foie gras which was really good. Razor clams was also delicious. Octopus was also a hit, crispy with soft interior. Kids loved the entrecôte. Risotto was good, but wasn't my favorite. Octopus was nice and tender. We ended up going twice here, food is delicious! Service was excellent too, Alejandro always asked if we needed anything and super friendly with our kids too.

    Photos
    La Cuchara de San Telmo
    La Cuchara de San Telmo
    La Cuchara de San Telmo - Razor clams

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    Razor clams

    Haizea - basque - Updated July 2026

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