not too long to move from standing bar to a table. pintxos blood sausage and shrimp done so well…read more the texture and flavor is approachable for all palates. pork belly with amazing citrus hummus was unique, also the hake with pea emulsion was tasty, pulpo was a large portion and worth it, beef cheek and mashed potato perfect

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.

You must eat here. The food is outstanding. An eclectic menu with traditional Basque meeting…read moreinfluences from Asia, India, Latin America. All prepared with care and attention to detail. Portions are generous. Flavors are big and balanced. Just delicious, whether seafood or meat or vegetables. We had scallops in a deep seafood stock, grilled hake with Thai infused coconut milk and lobster oil, and classic Indian butter chicken. Each dish outstanding on its own, all from one kitchen is wow. Presentation is thoughtful and beautiful. Vibe is cool without trying to be cool. Feels relaxed. Fun music playing without being loud or intrusive. Staff are fun and friendly and precise in their care. And to take it all to the next level was our host, Cesar. Not just thoughtful and welcoming but his passion for each dish and the care and thought that goes into them was obvious. His joy is genuine and we appreciated him sharing details with us so we could be part of the fun. In a city with so much wonderful food, La Madame stands out because it is a sit down restaurant, serving fresh and inspired and delicious food, with care and creativity and obsessive detail and pure happiness. Make a reservation, it's worth it. And take in the joy Cesar shares with you through every dish.

Good Many people had…read moresaid this place was amazing. The service was really good. The Scallops and Hamburger were really good from what the people in our group ordered. The scallops were a main course but only had 5 scallops not starch or vegetables, great flavor. So both that ordered the scallops thought they should be more to the dish. The large prawns from Ecuador influence was delicious with basil and peanut sauce. Everyone said the Indian influenced butter chicken was best dish of the night. The pork potsticker from Vietnam Was really nice. The waiter we had took us on a great food journey during the description. The cocktails were great with a nice variety. The Bad: My group had a 4 star experience I had a 3 star experience. To start we were a party of 6 and they only brought 3 menus and they asked me for my order before I was even able to look at the menu. So having to wait on looking at the menu was rather rude in my opinion each customer should get a menu. So started off with a negative. Especially since they were asking us to order when 2-3 people hadn't even looked at the menu. The waiter should let everyone know to share the menus when they only bring three menus for a party of 6. I ordered the Wellington 2.0 It should be called .5 For me it wasn't an improvement on a beef Wellington it was not even half a beef Wellington. It was a take on Beef Wellington. But the puff pastry was an after thought that didn't even cover the top of my steak. They said the steak would be medium and recommended that. It was just below medium rare very blood. The broccoli was cooked okay but not really seasoned. I had never had parsnips but figured I would try something new it had foie Gras, also so I now know this combination is not for me. See photos So I don't recommend Wellington 2.0 Unless you just very rare medium rare, with parsnip purées and foie Gras.

Desy is one of those places you stumble into once and then immediately start planning your return…read more It has that unmistakable San Sebastián charm -- relaxed, warm, and quietly confident about the food it puts out. The menu is tight, thoughtful, and full of little surprises, but the best bites are the burger and the anchovy pintxo. The burger is everything you want it to be: juicy, perfectly seasoned, and balanced in a way that makes you wonder why more places can't get it right. I think it's the secret cheese sauce that brings it all together. And the anchovy? A tiny masterpiece. Salty, silky, and packed with flavor -- the kind of bite that reminds you you're in a city that takes its food seriously. Service is friendly without hovering, prices are fair, and the whole experience feels like a local secret you're lucky to know about. Whether you're grabbing a casual lunch or easing into a slow afternoon, Desy delivers every time.

Came here for the hamburgers and it did not disappoint!! The burgers were so juicy and flavorful…read more The meatball sandwich was really good too. Come early if you can because they do run out of items on their menu. The basque cheesecake was cheesy and perfect amount of sweetness. There were indoor and outdoor seating areas. The indoor area is small and narrow. Luckily we got a table, but we saw many people standing on the side drinking and having a burger. Quick service like all places in Spain.

What a wonderful find! MUST VISIT ON YOUR TRIP!! We were wandering by when we looked through the…read morewindow and saw how modern this place looked. We glanced at the menu and decided to give it a try. They have a wide variety of food. We got several dishes to share. Beginning with table guacamole, they give you the components to mix for yourself with a mortar and pestle. I hate onions and cilantro, so I was able to get my share before my friends mixed them in! Served with crispy chips, it was a nice change from regular pintxos in the area. Next was the ceviche, tuna and sweet potato (with a lot of onions), onions aside the tuna was delicious with a well balanced spice of peppers that were included in the dish. Next up was the Iberian ham cheese quesadillas: perfection! The simplicity of the dish was what made it taste so good. Exactly what it sounds like, but the cheese was delicious. But the BEST part of the meal was the al Pastor tacos! They were better than some of the tacos I had in Mexico City! Perfectly seasoned meat, with just the right amount of guacamole. MUST HAVE!!! Lastly, the desserts! The churro dessert was AMAZING! And the rice pudding was also delicious, light and flavorful! We were all amazed by this meal. Everything was delicious. The most consistent meal we have had by far during our stay in San Sebastián.

What a treat! This place is barely visible on the street, but it's worth finding the signless door…read more The wood paneled walls draw you into a bustling restaurant. I came for lunch on a Monday. The menu is an inventive blend of Peruvian, Mexican, and Spanish. They have menus in English if you ask for it. The atmosphere is casual, but we ended up spending $50 for a two person lunch. The service is friendly. They bring plates out in courses, so it's easy to have a relaxed drawn out meal here. You don't feel rushed. The abodaba tacos were the highlight. The slightly crispy texture of the meat was heaven. The Sweet Potato Causa was a table favorite too!

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!

Everything is good!!!! Service is great, Ambiance, it is busy especially at night but don't let…read morethat deter you, if a place is packed that's where the good food is!

The service was great, and food was delcious My wife even…read moregot a bag of ice for her sore foot.

Pure kismet brought "Khaki Campbell" into our lives. We headed from Washington DC to San Sebastian…read morein search of the storied Basque cuisine and our 10 year old's dream to learn surfing at the world renowned Pukas Surf School. Referred by her Adonis-like surf coach, Astrid rode her last wave right into Khaki Campbell, a hidden treasure by the Cantabrian Sea. We had already spent five days in the city and a lot of money on meals that didn't compare to the sublime, savory, simple culinary pleasures of Khaki Campbell. The spectacularly warm and gifted chef Berta lights up her charming spot like a Spanish Julia Childs --minus the espionage . Great food abounds - especially her Spanish tortilla (Spanish omelet). Included is a picture of the last tortilla seconds after it hit the table; our kids devoured it so fast, the nearly empty plate says it all. Wow, what a delicious and pleasurable memory. Even today, six months later my wife and I felt compelled to come online to share our experience and treasure with you. We miss it so much --- so go ENJOY and let us live vicariously until we can return. Huge hug of appreciation to you Berta! Love the Determan Family..... Astrid, Sebastian, Monique and Tedd

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.

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.

This restaurant is one of many located and what is considered the old part of town. A more modern…read moresmaller restaurant in a charming location. There is lower level and street level, indoor dining as well as outdoor seating. Without a reservation, you would be lucky to get any seating particularly during the few hours they are open in the afternoon. They open again later in the evening. We were fortunate enough to come in at the last minute and snag a table downstairs. Our server was very pleasant, and quickly brought us our drinks from the full service bar. There is also a nice wine menu. The specialty of the house is paellas. If you are not a fan of seafood, I would strongly recommend you try something else! Seafood paellas are cooked with shellfish and fish broth, which can make them saltier standard rice dishes. The calamari were done perfectly and the paella was a generous portion with good flavor.

I love coming here for the paella, it's always delicious! The service is consistently good, and the…read moreportions are generous. A great spot for a satisfying meal.

The answer is, "Yes." The question is, "Should I eat here?"…read more There weren't that many breakfast places open early in San Sebastian, but we found a good one. The food is deelish, and the service is good. It has a nice breakfast feel that is more American-ish than Basque-ish. It is a good place to try as you will probably get a quick Basque breakfast with coffee and pinxtos on your trip to San Sebastian.

Food was perfect! Such nice people working here. And the cafe con leche was excellent! I had the…read morescramble eggs. So yummy! Patrick had bacon toast. He said perfecto! It was nice sitting outside in the cool of the morning. Great ambiance!

We enjoyed an amazing lunch here. We sat in the beautiful quaint courtyard on a lovely afternoon to…read moreenjoy all their specialities including the carpaccio of red prawns that melted in your mouth, glazed crispy suckling pig so tender inside, savory black pudding ravioli with truffle and incredibly flavorful ribeye. We ended the meal with a tasty hot apple cake with vanilla ice cream. Each dish raised the bar. Service was attentive but non-intrusive.

Food was very good- we had a number of dishes and particularly enjoyed the rice with clams, baked…read morecrab and turbot. The wine cellar is out of this world- probably one of the best in all of Spain if not the world. Definitely worth coming here if you love wine from the old world - ask for cellar tour at the end of your meal.