Clearly a well established and accomplished operation…read more Service was almost flawless and attentive Atmosphere is modern with spectacular views Pedro greets at the entrance Food was interesting and unique. All the flavors didn't hit quite as impactful as we thought Some dishes were great (the savory macarons appetizer, pork loin, 1 or 2 desserts), but We felt it was too much food and spaced out over almost 4 hours. We finished after midnight. Too much, too late (for us ) Ymmv

This is definitively among the 5 best restaurants in the world. It is worth the trip to Donosti…read more 1. Food is truly amazing. The Crujiente de Kisquilla con Sorbete de Salpicón is one of the most sophisticated gastronomic creations I ever had. The flor de alcachofa, the gilda macaron and the Baresarian lamb are equally mind blowing. This is beyond food! 2. The service is impecable. Both serious and rigorous, and warm and close. The entire team helps and show their enthusiasm about what they serve. 3. The space is very beautiful. An exceptional spot in Igueldo with helicopter views onto the Donisti bay. The design is quite contemporary, but not the strongest. By a not great office named Mecanismo. The interiors are quite predictable. Most spaces enjoy a privileged view on the sea, but still is good. The light can be dazzling. The exteriors: are quite a cliche. Architecture could be way better here.

We had been visiting the coast with a guide and salivating over the idea of fresh grilled fish but…read morewere too early for lunch. So he recommended this hidden gem located near the university area-one of the few spots in San Sebastián with the same outdoor charcoal grill preparation. We booked a 1:45 reservation and we're a bit ahead of the Sunday lunch crowd. Fresh fish is priced by the kilo (85€) and we had been recommended to try the Turbot or the Breem (aka red snapper). Since we were a group of 4 we got one of each which turned out to be perfectly sized as the server tries to fit the varying fish sizes to your table size. The two delicate fish were finished with light sauces so as not to overwhelm the delicate grilled taste. We also enjoyed hard to find mixed salad with garden fresh tomatoes, onions, olives and tuna with a light olive oil dressing. An affordable Txakoli white wine from the area was a great accompaniment and The dessert sampler with 4 different little desserts was plenty for the four of us. At 250€ this was easily our most expensive meal on our journey so far but a deli change of pace and a memorable experience.

Excellent food , service and ambiance!!! We were warmly welcomed and the experience continued to…read moreexceed our expectations throughout the night!

For those either staying at the Akelarre Hotel or just don't want to drop mad coin on the 3*…read moreflagship, Oteiza presents a cheaper alternative. It also provides a snapshot of Chef Subijana's cooking and the history of ascent to the top of his Michelin game. It's next to impossible to get Txangurro where i live so why not splurge for crepes filled them in a rich sauce made from said crustacean or the Corvina in Pepper sauce that was present when he got his first star. Basque cheesecake and Patxaran make great ways to finish the night. The service is a bit formal at first but if you provide friendly you get it back in spades

If our San Sebastian friend and host did not recommend Urkiola, we wouldn't have found this cider…read morehall and restaurant on our own. We were very glad to have visited for lunch on the weekend to see firsthand the cider drinking culture of the Basque region. The cider itself is not my favourite (low in alcohol, dry and quite bittersweet with very little effervescence), yet, as a cultural experience I was glad to have a couple pints first, then, merrily switch to a bottle of red from Rioja! Cuisine on offer was pretty much grilled meat, such as huge portions of grilled beef with lovely marbling, cooked over the fire. The service was very friendly and welcoming; the proprietor was there to make sure we got the "pouring of the cider" experience directly from the cask, making us feel special and right at home. I think the restaurant is only open on Saturday/Sunday, so, best to call ahead and make sure this is a go, before you make the trek.

An impressive achievement: somehow managing to make a great piece of beef the least memorable part…read moreof the meal. The service was rude, pushy, and strangely combative from start to finish. The staff seemed far more interested in telling us what we should eat than listening to what we actually wanted. We were repeatedly pushed towards their charcoal-grilled red peppers, which appeared to be the answer to every question despite not being what we asked for. When ordering a T-bone steak, we discovered they had neither potatoes nor a simple green salad available. Fair enough--menus vary. But when we asked if we could have mashed potatoes alongside the steak, we were met with a condescending "that's not how we do it in this place," delivered with an attitude that suggested we'd committed some sort of culinary crime. I also ordered the ravioli. What arrived was four pieces. Four. Nobody mentioned that it was effectively a starter-sized portion, and there was certainly nothing that prepared me for a plate that looked like it had lost a fight with the dishwasher on its way out of the kitchen. What really stood out wasn't the food, though--it was the hospitality, or complete lack thereof. Every request felt like an inconvenience. Every question seemed to be met with irritation. The entire experience had an air of "the customer is wrong" that would be funny if it weren't so expensive. San Sebastián is one of the greatest food cities in the world. There are countless restaurants nearby that serve excellent food without making their guests feel unwelcome. This place seems to believe that arrogance is a substitute for service. I won't be returning.

What an amazing meal, and for such a great price too. I had the tasting menu which came with 6…read morecourses, 3 glasses of wine and coffee, all for €46. The restaurant is a bit out of the way from the center of town but if you have a car or feel like taking a stroll on a nice day, highly recommend coming here. We went for lunch and the restaurant was nearly full. Many other tables ordered off a 3 course lunch menu, which was €30, including a bottle of wine for 2. Unheard of in DC or other major cities in the US!

Agatha made the experience special. The food was decent, but watching her working that entire…read moreinside with perfection was amazing. She's definitely a pro. But, not all my experience was great. Fish soup was tasty after I added salt. I enjoyed the salad, but overpriced for what I got, I think cause of location. I'm soloing Spain so sometimes it can be challenging asking for a table. In this case the dude that great me said he can only seat me inside despite several open outdoor tables. I agreed as I was cold. Soon, the inside filled up, but that was a rude move. Thankfully Agatha made up for his lack of service.

Food was good but waiter lets you order way too much. Eat…read morefirst and then add later. Fresh fish cost 100 euro. Be careful