There are things in San Sebastián that you absolutely must see, and the list isn’t exactly short: the Ensanche (Expansion District), the Paseo Nuevo (New Promenade), the Sagrado Corazón, the Castillo de la Mota (Castle of La Mota), and much more.
But there are things in San Sebastián that aren’t enough just to be seen; you need more senses to capture its full essence. Some romantics may be thinking of La Concha Beach, yes, of course they are, although we’re more thinking of food.
Because you have to focus all five senses on the local cuisine of San Sebastián so you don’t leave behind even a hint of pleasure, because that’s what traditional Basque cuisine brings you, pleasure beyond belief.
Best bars and restaurants where you can eat traditional Basque food in San Sebastián
To keep you from feeling lost in your search for where to eat the best traditional Basque food, here we’ve brought you a list of the best bars and restaurants, so you can give yourself a true treat and say: I’ve seen, tasted, and felt San Sebastián.
TrikuHarri Taberna Jatetxea
Calle Matia, 35
They are very good and very humble. They themselves say that their “only goal is to be a neighbourhood bar and do things as best as possible.” They have achieved their goal and far exceeded it.
You could call it a traditional tavern, thanks to its decor, atmosphere, food, and quality. The price-quality ratio is practically unbeatable, and you’ll have the opportunity to try the best of Basque cuisine.
Its location is another plus, as it’s about an eight-minute walk from Ondarreta Beach and less than five minutes from your home in San Sebastián: CATS Hostel.
Amama
Calle Mayor 18, First Floor
In the heart of the Old Town, on Calle Mayor, we found one of those pleasant surprises that you come across from time to time, almost by chance, but that instantly become one of your favourites.
The most traditional Basque cuisine is served here with the care and attention it has always had. You’ll also find essential dishes within Basque gastronomy, served both in the traditional way and with a new vision.
This step forward in the kitchen doesn’t mean losing its roots, but rather uses them as a foundation for continuing to advance. We highly recommend it, especially if you’ve already tried more traditional Basque food, so you’ll appreciate even more how good chef Iñigo Insausti and his team are here.
Bar Txepetxa
Calle Arrandegi, 5
This is a bar in every sense of the word, a true gift for the palate and for those looking to delve into Basque tradition. One of the gems of San Sebastián’s Old Town.
It’s everything you could ask for and offers more than you could imagine. It’s a small place, but that’s no excuse for not having a gigantic kitchen inside, with traditional dishes and impressive flavours.
It has won several awards for its pintxos, and for good reason. You can’t leave here without trying the sea urchin, spider crab, or black olive pâté pintxos. And don’t be fooled, the items on display, no matter how good they look, aren’t meant to be eaten. They’re plastic reproductions; your pintxo is made to order, so you’ll enjoy it freshly cooked.
Bar Sport
Calle Fermin Calbetón, 10
I can see your surprised face from here, but are we going to watch a soccer game or something? What are we doing in a sports bar? Don’t let the name fool you, be patient, give us a chance.
It’s true that the atmosphere is sporty, but the decor is more of a nautical theme and the atmosphere is 100% Basque, with one of the best selections of pintxos in all of San Sebastián.
It has earned its place among the best bars in San Sebastián for the friendliness of its staff, the wide variety of pintxos, and the quality of its ingredients. You absolutely must not leave here without trying their mini burger, the spider crab pintxo, the sea urchin pintxo, and their cheesecake.
La Cuchara de San Telmo
Calle 31 de Agosto, 28
The best of a tavern and the highlights of a restaurant come together in La Cuchara de San Telmo, where you can enjoy the most traditional and flavourful Basque cuisine both inside and on their terrace.
Its location is fantastic; Located in the Old Town and practically at the foot of Mount Urgull, you’ll have plenty of places to go if you want to stroll around and work off your lunch. And speaking of food, in addition to their pintxos, you can’t leave without trying the scallops, kokotxas, and octopus. You’ve been warned.
Gorriti Tavern
Calle San Juan, 3
This tavern is located in the Old Town. Although it’s centrally located, it’s not on the busiest streets, so it’s a little haven for those looking for traditional dishes surrounded by locals.
The staff is very warm and friendly; they’ll help you with everything you need to know and will be fantastic guides for choosing the perfect pintxos and tapas for you.
Their value for money is one of their great advantages, and if there’s one thing that stands out at their bar and menu, it’s their croquettes, known throughout San Sebastián. Also, the tortilla, the battered shrimp, and the tuna with onions are must-try dishes.
