The 6 Best Restaurants in San Sebastian Without a Michelin Star

Last Updated on July 15, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: October 28, 2020

In San Sebastian and searching for the best restaurants? You don’t want to break the bank on a pricey restaurant bill, or perhaps you can’t get a reservation at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants. You’re in luck! San Sebastian has a legion of great eating options that are not Michelin-starred. Here are the best non-Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastian!

Why Is San Sebastian Known for Its Cuisine? 

The reason why San Sebastian is such a good food mecca is because of New Basque Cuisine. In the 1970s, chefs Juan Marie Arzak and Pedro Subiana, of Arzak and Akelarre, respectively (both of which have three stars each, by the way), decided to apply the techniques of French Nouvelle cuisine to Basque fare. After some experimenting, they arrived at a Basque cuisine that was unique, elevated, and, best of all, delicious. 

And eating in the Basque country, in general, and San Sebastian, in particular, was never the same again. The world has rushed in, forks in hand, to try it. It has been so pervasive to Basque culinary culture that it has trickled down to nearly every restaurant and pintxo bar in San Sebastian.

That’s why you don’t need to step foot in a Michelin-starred restaurant when visiting San Sebastian. You can stick your fork into a large number of eateries and bars, and you’ll eat very well!

The Best Non-Michelin Star Restaurants in San Sebastian

Muka

Brought to you by chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, whose legendary San Sebastian restaurant Mugaritz has two Michelin stars. Muka is the ideal spot to eat dishes created by a Michelin-chef without forking off heaps of cash. 

Muka is set between the Urumea River and the Kursaal conference center in the middle of San Sebastian. Here you can tuck into a 10-course tasting menu for a bargain price. Or go a la carte with dishes like razor clams in a tangy salsa verde, ultra-tender braised brisket with mushrooms, and roasted cod sprinkled with tempura’d garlic.

📍 Location: Zurriola Hiribidea, 1

Astarbe Sagardotegia

The hills around San Sebastian are sprinkled with sidrerias, or cider houses. The Basques make some of the best cider on the planet, so it’s worth your while to seek out a cider house for at least one meal while here. 

Astarbe is four miles from the center of town, and is accessible by car or public transportation. For one reasonable price, visitors get a full meal that includes cod, eggs, bread, salad, cheese, and plenty of cider poured straight from the barrel. Think of it as a Basque version of a German beer hall.

📍 Location: Txoritokieta Bidea, 13

Narru

Set between the Concha and the river, Narru is a sophisticated and sedate place to enjoy a meal. If it’s on the menu, don’t skip the oxtail stuffed ravioli drizzled with foie gras and sprinkled with truffles. 

Nor should you pass up the hake chin (or kokotxas, in the local parlance), a Basque staple. You can also literally eat snout to tail here, as Narru does two lovely dishes—one pork snout, the other pork tail—that you can brag about later to your foodie friends.

📍 Location: San Martin Kalea, 22

Casa Urola

Located on the sometimes lively Fermin Calbetón Street in the old part of San Sebastian, Casa Urola is a favorite among locals and in-the-know visitors. When you walk in, you’ll be met by an oft-crowded pintxos bar. If you don’t fancy a sitdown dinner, you can’t go wrong with the pintxos here. 

Pro Tip: Order anything off the hand-written warm pintxos menu scribbled on a tablet of paper on the wall. 

If you do want a sit-down meal, head upstairs for a menu of über-seasonal delights. The menu changes with the season, but expect dishes like grilled octopus paired with tender pork jowl, candied paquillo peppers, and Galician clams in a salsa verde.

📍 Location: Fermin Calbeton Kalea, 20

Asador Portuetxe

Located two and a half miles southwest of the Concha, Asador Portuetxe is worth the trek. The culinary star here is the grill. Since 1982, the barbecue masters at this asador have been grilling everything from whole fish to massive cuts of high-quality steak. 

Start out with some jamon Iberico from Jabugo, the epicenter of ham in Spain, and some white asparagus (if it’s in season) before moving on to grilled hake, grilled cod, grilled oysters, grilled lobster…you get the idea.

📍 Location: Igara Bidea, 71

Basqueland Izakaia

If you need a pause from excellent Basque and Spanish fare, you can pivot to excellent Asian fare. Brought to you by the Basqueland Brewery, Basqueland Izakaia is located in Gros, just a few steps from the river and the Kursaal conference center. 

You can sip on freshly made beer (they have wine too) while indulging in pan-Asian delights like ramen, pork buns, meat-stuffed wontons, and various other dishes.

📍 Location: Peña y Goñi Kalea, 4

Want to Try Cooking Basque Dishes Yourself?

Join our Authentic Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian! You’ll step into a restaurant kitchen and get hands-on with the Basque Country’s iconic cuisine in a small-group cooking experience.

Featured Review: San Sebastian Cooking Class

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fantastic experience from start to finish. Alberto combined practical cooking techniques with fascinating historical and cultural insights, making the class much more than just a cooking lesson. It was a great opportunity to learn about Basque cuisine, understand the traditions behind each dish, and prepare authentic recipes in a friendly and engaging atmosphere. I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in discovering the authentic flavors and culture of the Basque Country.”
– Lorenzo

Best Non-Michelin Starred Restaurants in San Sebastian FAQs

Is it worth eating at non-Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastián?

Absolutely. San Sebastián is famous for its exceptional food culture, and many of its best meals are served in restaurants and pintxo bars without Michelin stars. Thanks to the city’s high culinary standards, visitors can enjoy outstanding Basque cuisine without the price or formality of fine dining.

What food should you try at San Sebastián’s local restaurants?

Don’t miss Basque specialties such as grilled turbot, txuleta (Basque-style steak), kokotxas (hake cheeks), spider crab, seasonal mushrooms, and creative pintxos. Pair your meal with a glass of local txakoli or Basque cider, too.

Do you need reservations for popular restaurants in San Sebastián?

Yes. Many of San Sebastián’s most popular restaurants—even those without Michelin stars—fill up quickly, particularly during weekends and the summer months. Booking a table several days in advance is recommended if there’s a specific restaurant you’d like to visit.

Are non-Michelin restaurants in San Sebastián less expensive?

In general, yes. While prices vary, non-Michelin restaurants often provide exceptional quality at a more accessible price point than the city’s tasting-menu destinations. Many offer à la carte menus featuring seasonal Basque dishes, allowing visitors to experience world-class cuisine without the cost of a multi-course fine dining meal.

What is the difference between a pintxo bar and a sit-down restaurant in San Sebastián?

Pintxo bars specialize in small, shareable bites that are perfect for bar hopping and sampling a variety of flavors. Sit-down restaurants typically offer full-service meals featuring traditional or modern Basque cuisine, making them ideal for a leisurely lunch or dinner. Many visitors find that combining both experiences is the best way to explore San Sebastián’s world-renowned food scene.