Best Restaurants in San Sebastian

San Sebastian is the culinary crown jewel of Spain’s Basque coast. The city and the people’s relationship with the sea has created a foodie paradise renowned for its world-class restaurants, vibrant pintxo bars, and deep-rooted gastronomic traditions.

Whether you’re making reservations at a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant or settling in at a rustic, family-run tavern, San Sabastian is sure to stand out on any Spain food tour.

Traditional Basque Dining in San Sebastian

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The traditional Basque dining in San Sebastian is a celebration of heritage, flavor, and seasonal abundance as well as the Basque people’s long relationship with the sea. Classic dishes like bacalao a la vizcaína (salt cod in pepper-tomato sauce), txangurro (stuffed spider crab), and marmitako (tuna and potato stew) reflect the region’s deep connection to the abundance of local ingredients.

So, I wasn’t surprised to find restaurants at every level taking deep pride in sourcing produce from nearby markets and local fishermen. Adding to the San Sabastian’s flavor was all the various cooks I came across who held ancient recipes close to their chests. While managing to strike a balance between Basque authenticity and embracing culinary innovation.

Pintxo Bars and Casual Eateries

Pintxo bars and casual taverns are the beating heart of San Sebastian’s dynamic food culture. They offer small but flavor-packed bites that simultaneously showcase both traditional ingredients and modern flair.

From anchovies, olives, and peppers in classic Gilda pintxos to inventive creations featuring foie gras, grilled seafood, or local cheeses, pintxos express the flavorful soul of Basque cuisine. To enjoy them like a local, stand at the bar, order a drink, and select pintxos from the counter or the handwritten chalkboard specials. Just make sure to keep track of your toothpicks as they charge based on the honor system.

A pintxo crawl through Parte Vieja or the trendy Gros neighborhood, is a next-level experience worth adding to a San Sabastian food tour. As you hop from one family-run gem to the next, you’ll savor a bite and a drink that reflects the soul of each place.

Michelin-Starred and Fine Dining Options

San Sebastian’s world-renowned fine dining scene is home to some of the most celebrated chefs in the world and the Michelin-starred restaurants they captain.

Arzak

Photo credit: Arzak

With 3 Michelin Stars and multiple appearances on culinary TV shows, Arzak is a legendary San Sabastian fine-dining restaurant. It’s helmed by chef Elena Arzak, who carries on the legacy of her father, Juan Mari Arzak, as pioneers of New Basque cuisine. The ambiance is refined yet warm, blending contemporary elegance with deep-rooted Basque heritage.

I found the tasting menu to be playful and innovative as it took me on a journey through local flavors. I was blown away by dishes like lobster with potato “bubbles” and lamb glazed in coffee and Basque country red wine.

Arzak has consistently ranked among the world’s top restaurants and is celebrated for its bold fusion of tradition and cutting-edge culinary technique. If you can only visit one Michelin-starred restaurant in San Sebastian, this is it!

Arzak (€100+) – Alcalde J. Elosegi Hiribidea, 273, 20015 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

Akelarre

Photo credit: Akelarre

Perched on Monte Igueldo with sweeping views of the Bay of Biscay, Akelarre offers an unforgettable 3-Michelin-starred dining experience. Led by renowned chef Pedro Subijana, the restaurant’s sleek, glass-walled dining room creates a sleek visual frame for the rugged coastline.

Akelarre is known for its precise execution and theatrical presentation of seasonal Basque ingredients. The tasting menu on the night I visited included a briny sea urchin cream that perfectly reflected the flavors of the sea. However, I was blown away by the roasted squab with red wine and beetroot.

Akelarre (€100+) – Padre Orkolaga Ibilbidea, 56, 20008 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

Mugaritz

Photo credit: Mugaritz

Located in the countryside near San Sebastián, Mugaritz holds 2 Michelin stars and offers more than a meal. It’s consistently ranked among the world’s top restaurants and is known for redefining fine dining into a next level culinary experience.

The menu is nothing short of an avant-garde culinary tour de force designed to challenge and delight. Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz pushes the boundaries of traditional dining with a multi-course, concept-driven tasting menu that fuses science, art, and flavor.

I was aware of the edible stones dish when I walked in, but found it funny that they include a real rock in the basket, which is indistinguishable from the edible one! I was also pleasantly surprised by the fermented apple with duck tongues dish, which pushed the limits of my culinary comfort zone in the best of ways.

Mugaritz (€100+) – Aldura Gunea Aldea, 20, 20100 Errenteria, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

Hidden Gems and Family-Run Favorites

Of course, San Sabastian also has some lesser-known, family-run establishments that offer a taste of Basque cuisine without the fine-dining accoutrements.

Bodegón Alejandro

Photo credit: Bodegón Alejandro

Bodegón Alejandro is a cozy, stone-walled restaurant in San Sebastián’s Old Town neighborhood that has long been a standard-bearer for traditional Basque cuisine. It was where chef Martín Berasategui began his illustrious career. Now run by a dedicated local team, the ambiance retains a rustic, cellar-like charm with soft lighting and a welcoming atmosphere.

The menu celebrates deeply rooted Basque flavors. I was blown away by the depth of flavor they teased out of the slow-cooked oxtail. They’re also well-known for a great hake in green sauce, and local Idiazabal cheese desserts.

Bodegón Alejandro (€35-60+) – Fermin Calbeton Kalea, 4, 20003 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

Gandarias

Photo credit: Gandarias

Gandarias is a classic Basque tavern and grill that blends the energy of a pintxo bar with the sophistication of a sit-down restaurant. It’s family-run and deeply rooted in San Sebastián’s food scene with a warm, wood-paneled interior and friendly, old-school service.

The bar offers beautifully crafted pintxos, while the restaurant delivers traditional dishes like grilled solomillo, cod pil-pil, and fresh seafood platters. The sear of the solomillo sirloin I ordered was like something straight out of a New York City steakhouse, yet the Añana salt used to season it also gave the meat a distinctively Basque terroir.

Gandarias (€25-50) – 31 de Agosto Kalea, 23, 20003 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

Final Thoughts: Savoring San Sebastian’s Dining Scene

The restaurants in San Sebastián offer a rich tapestry of tradition, innovation, and heartfelt hospitality. From pintxo bars to Michelin-starred restaurants, every meal tells a cultural story. Embrace the joy of slow, mindful eating, venture beyond the tourist trail, and savor authentic Basque flavors on your next Spain food tour.