San Sebastián is almost an annual pilgrimage for us. We just adore the city and not for one second have we tired of it. The food and wine is spectacular. The city is laid back and chilled out. It is everything we like in a holiday crammed into a very small space.
Below are some tips of where to eat, sleep and also some tips on what to do if you are bringing children.
Below are some tips of where to eat, sleep and also some tips on what to do if you are bringing children.
Where To Eat
This list, one that we will be updating after each visit, of our favourite places to eat in San Sebastián. We would gladly go back to any of these places and have no hesitation in recommending them.
Ganbara | PINTXOS | RESTAURANT |
One of the best pintxos bars. Try the omelette and the prawns on a plancha. It is quite small so best to get there early. | ||
Txepetxa | PINTXOS | |
It is all about the anchovies. Just ask for a selection of their best anchovy dishes and savour them | ||
Borda Berri | PINTXOS | |
Most of the food on offer is top-notch, but the risotto is particularly good | ||
La Vina | PINTXOS | |
Famous for their cheesecakes, which is a must-try, this place is fundamental to any trip to San Sebastián. | ||
Gandarias | PINTXOS | RESTAURANT |
High quality pintxos; the txangurro (spider crab) is one of the best around. They have a restaurant in the back with an excellent wine list and the steak from old dairy cow is incredible | ||
Cuchara de San Telmo | PINTXOS | |
This place is always as busy as it is small, so it is important to get there early. The suckling pig is excellent. | ||
El Tamboril | PINTXOS | |
Right in the middle of the old town, go here to try the deep-fried langoustines. | ||
Goiz Argi | PINTXOS | |
A tiny place, but if you can get in try the prawn bruschetta; they are excellent | ||
Arzak | RESTAURANT | |
Visting Arzak, the famous and influential restaurant run by father and daughter team Juan-Mari and Elena Arzak, is always a great experience. The food and the service are first-class. | ||
Gerald's Bar | RESTAURANT | |
We went to Gerald's bar for the first time in 2021 and fell in love with it. It's a small restaurant with a daily 3-course menu that is superb value. The dishes are just a few quality local ingredients cooked with skill. On our last visit in 2023 they had really improved their wine list. Go! | ||
Zelai Txiki | RESTAURANT | |
Walk up a steep hill just outside Gros to Zelai Txiki and you won't be sorry. A fantastic menu of local dishes cooked with love. A mouthwatering menu and an enticing wine list. | ||
Agorregi | RESTAURANT | |
In an industrial estate on the outskirts of San Sebastián, surrounded by car dealers, you will find Agorregi. Some smart cooking in a menu that is very good value. | ||
Narru | RESTAURANT | |
Narru is a trendy place serving the freshest fish you are likely to eat. The tuna belly is particularly good. Ditto for the oysters. | ||
Mirador de Ulia | RESTAURANT | |
It is worth the journey out to this restaurant just for the spectacular views over San Sebastián. Luckily, the food also makes the trip worthwhile. They even have a tasting menu for children. | ||
Amelia | RESTAURANT | |
A progressive and fun gastronomic experience. A restaurant that is fulfilling its lofty ambitions. It is going to be expensive with optional upsells on the day, but the food is perfectly executed innovation. | ||
Arenales | PINTXOS | RESTAURANT |
A fantastic natural wine list to go alongside a small, but very tasty food menu. | ||
Muka | BAR | RESTAURANT |
A restaurant from chef Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz fame. Some great food on offer cooked over fire. Some dishes, along with service, were a bit underwhelming when we visited, but there might be more to come. | ||
Restaurante Akelarre | RESTAURANT | |
A bastion of San Sebastían's high-end food scene for many years, Akelarre offers a unique, memorable and truly delicious experience. A truly brilliant restaurant. They even made our kids feel special - they had an amazing meal. | ||
Elkano | RESTAURANT | |
Considered by many is one the world's top fish restaurants, Elkano offers a delicious à la carte and tasting menu, but with either menu the turbot, cooked on their grill, is a must. | ||
Kaia Kaipe | RESTAURANT | |
Overlooking the pier in Getaria is a restaurant we look forward to returning to. Sitting on the terrace eating delicious seafood, including grilled Turbot for 2, enjoying a bottle of wine from their brilliant wine list.....bliss! | ||
Txulotxo | RESTAURANT | |
Get a taxi to Torreko Plaza and take a little boat across the river to Txulotxo in the beautiful village of Pasai Donibane. A lovely little restaurant that serves simply cooked, super fresh seafood, right on the river's edge. | ||
Rekondo | RESTAURANT | |
Rekondo cooks some really good traditional Basque food, but it's the wine list, considered one of the best in the world that people flock here for. They have really old vintages of great wines for shockingly low prices. | ||
Bodegón Alejandro | RESTAURANT | |
Traditional basque dishes cooked with care. A nice little basement restaurant, but they could do with putting more thought into their wine list. | ||
Mugaritz | RESTAURANT | |
A gastronomic restaurant that divides opinion. Pushing the boundaries of technique, there will be some great dishes, but some you may find unpleasant. One thing is for certain: you definitely won't be bored. |
Where To Sleep
We usually use Rentals Collection when staying in San Sebastián. The apartments are always in a great location, clean and affordable. They have an office in the city of the town if there are issues or anything you need. If you rent an apartment with Rentals Collection it will come with a cot and highchair as standard.
Another option, which we used once, Old Town San Sebastían, which have really nice, clean and modern apartments to rent right in the heart of the old quarter.
Another option, which we used once, Old Town San Sebastían, which have really nice, clean and modern apartments to rent right in the heart of the old quarter.
San Sebastián With Kids
Both of our little girls love San Sebastián and had an amazing time on each visit. And why wouldn't they - San Sebastián is a great place to bring the kids. It is a compact city so no long boring walks. If you get the weather, and there is no guarantee of this, even in the summer, they can play all day on the beach. There is a beautiful carousel. A few fantastic playgrounds. An aquarium. There are even some decent toy shops. And don't forget the many ice cream parlours.
The restaurants and bars are very welcoming of children. The pinxho bars can be a bit challenging with kids, especially if one is in a buggy. It requires a bit of balancing to hold a child while eating and standing, but don't let this turn you off - you get good at it and it is definitely worth it. Restaurants in San Sebastián are also very accepting of children and in many there will be generations of families dining together. Although they don't advertise it anywhere they nearly all have highchairs and some even have children's menus.
It is even possible to bring children to some of the high end restaurants like Arzak, Akelare and Mugaritz, but do tell them in advance that you are bringing children.
If you want some time away from the kids, then the agency Miss Babysitter can look after your little ones - we have used them many times in San Sebastián, Madrid and in Barcelona and we, and the kids, have always been delighted with the babysitter and the service.
The restaurants and bars are very welcoming of children. The pinxho bars can be a bit challenging with kids, especially if one is in a buggy. It requires a bit of balancing to hold a child while eating and standing, but don't let this turn you off - you get good at it and it is definitely worth it. Restaurants in San Sebastián are also very accepting of children and in many there will be generations of families dining together. Although they don't advertise it anywhere they nearly all have highchairs and some even have children's menus.
It is even possible to bring children to some of the high end restaurants like Arzak, Akelare and Mugaritz, but do tell them in advance that you are bringing children.
If you want some time away from the kids, then the agency Miss Babysitter can look after your little ones - we have used them many times in San Sebastián, Madrid and in Barcelona and we, and the kids, have always been delighted with the babysitter and the service.
Some Tips
- Biarritz Airport is actually closer to San Sebastián than Bilbao Airport, so if driving this might be a better option. Ryanair fly into Biarritz which can be a lot cheaper than flying to Bilbao with Aer Lingus
- There are buses from both Bilbao Airport and Biarritz Airport, but at Bilbao they are more frequent
- You can get a train direct from Paris to Hendaye, from there you can get a local train from Irun to San Sebastián.
- Get up early for a quiet walk around the old town - no one is awake and its got quite a sleepy charm.
- If going in Spring, which we do regularly, the mornings can be cold and the afternoons warm, so a light jacket is handy for the mornings
- If a pincho bar is empty, while many others are full, avoid it - there is a reason why there is no one in there
- The seaside town of Getaria is a short bus ride away, around 40 minutes, and offers a beautiful quiet beach and some brilliant seafood restaurants, such as Elkano and Kaia Kaipe. A taxi to Getaria will cost around €45 each way.
- Locals eat out quite late in the evening, so getting to a bar early when they first open can mean it is less busy