The protocol here is to help yourself to hot or cold local tapas, known in the Basque language as pintxos on the bar and then when you are ready to go, indicate to the barman what you have had and pay up! It’s an honour system. Hot pintxos are described mostly on the blackboards and you will have to wait until they are brought out to you.
- Gandarias, Calle 31 de Agosto, 25, tel. 943 42 63 62 (also great for an upscale traditional lunch and dinner)
Bar / restaurant as mentioned earlier discovered already on our honeymoon with a great filet mignon / solomillo con pepper.
- Ganbara, C/San Jeronimo 21, tel. 943 42 25 75
Bar / restaurant where we met, more than once, one of the most celebrated local chefs – Arzak (the founder of a 3 Michelin star restaurant now run by his daughter Elena). We always enjoy there the seasonal dishes such as mushrooms / hongos a la plancha and fried green peppers and artychoceks / alcachofas with foi.
- La Cuchara de San Telmo,
Tiny bar situated close to the Museum San Telmo with a great solomillo con foi.
- La Vina, Calle 31 de Agosto
Bar / restaurant that was introduced to me by a girlfriend who adores the Basque cuisine and who discovered they serve, among other things, a great plate of jamon and the best tarta de queso/cheescake in the town. On weekends you can also taste the Apple versión which is simply bonissimo.
- Bar Astelena , Plaza Constitución 1, tel. 943 425 245
The main square in San Sebastian is named Plaza Constitución and is where I spent hours and hours with Leo in good weather upon our arrival to San Sebastian whilst still living in hotels; it was a charming place to enjoy oneself. It has several bars, yet we keep returning to this one. One reason was that the manager’s wife is of Czech origin, and it was also the first bar where I found a small table for kids with pencils and a piece of paper, was that a coincidence? In this bar with a great terrace they serve brochetas de setas and bacon or gambas /skewers with oyster mushrooms and bacon or prawns or various kind of crocetas or ropas de carne.
- Paco Bueno, Mayor / Nagusia Kalea 6, tel. 943 424 959
In our family this bar is known under the name Rugby bar. Always crowded with a good spirit in air and always served great gambas con gabardina/coated fried prawns.
- Bar Zeruko, Calle Pescaderia 10, 943 423 451
Bar which requires great tom-tom skill to find due to the dual signposting in Spanish and Basque – Calle Pescaderia 10 versus Arraindegi Kalea, but once you do, you will find yourself in an Art gallery. They serve they most artistic pieces of delicacies – certainly to call them Art pintxos is no exaggeration, it is a must. You must try their tostada con bogavante/lobster, but you must see with your own eyes those smoking and glittering beauties.
- Borda Berri, Calle Fermin Calbeton, 12
Traditional bar in the old centre where is worth trying their octopus with quince and the unctuous beef carrilleras (cheeks) in red wine.
- San Telmo, inside the Museum San Telmo – breakfast / pintxo
Good for breakfast or simple pintxo regardless you visit the museum or not – worth tasting pintxo with jamon mixed with garlic or pulpo.
- Kata.4 Oyster bar, Calle de santa Catalina 4, tel. 943 423 (avant-garde lunch including lunch menu and dinner)
Restaurant also great for breakfast – either to have with your coffee a cold pintxo with anchoas or great tortilla with onions / tortilla de patatas con cebolla or you can always enjoy a simple toast with tomato sauce / tostada con tomate. But it is a recommended place for Pil – Pil bacalau / cod that is mostly on the lunch menu.
- Branka, Paseo de Eduardo Chillida, 13, 943 31 70 96
A great place to take a rest whilst cycling or walking at the very end of the Ondaretta beach where nearby is the statue by Eduardo Chilida.
- Oquendo, Calle Okendo, 8, tel. 943 42 07 36 (also a good option for a traditional lunch)
Bar just across the river from the Kursaal with a numerous photos with film stars who have dined there while attending the annual September San Sebastian film festival, for over 60 years one of the highlights of San Sebastian’s cultural life. Great selection of cold and hot pintxos which over lunch are offered also as a menu – 3 cold + 2 hot pintxos + drink – great calamares.
- Monpas, Paseo José Miguel Barandiarán 20
Our local bar in Gros/Southwest is known for their vast selection of beer including the Czech beer. We, however, go there for chocolate croissant/napolitana for breakfast, then we do approve of their rizek which is served with a green pepper during the week and with caramelised onion on the weekends, and their beef stew/estofado.
- Azkena, Mercado la Bretxa (inside the market), Planta Baja, tel. 615 792 655
When you visit the local market La Bretxa with its great selection of every kind of fish and meat you can possibly imagine, and, needless to say with vegetables and fruit that taste as they ought to taste, you must visit the tiny bar Azkena with the best black pudding/mortilla pintxo ever. Worth enjoying the set lunch menu for which, however, you must make a reservation in advance.
- Salt, Avenida Navarra 2 – corner with Calle Zabaleta in Gros
Local bar restaurant in Gros with a stunning ocean view and most importantly across the road from our children’s school, place for a quick breakfast with tostada con tomate.
- Whiskey Museum, Boulevard Zumardia 5, tel. 943 426 478, whisky and piano bar on the main Boulevard – closest to the municipality
Truly traditional night bar opening at 11pm where the good barman must show you an old trick (if not, ask for one); on two floors with a great display of whiskies as in a proper museum indeed, and on the ground floor with an old piano and that usually hosts a live musician – great cocktails including the classic gin and tonic.