Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: October 23, 2018
When it comes to San Sebastian’s renowned culinary scene, the fun doesn’t just stop with the food! To really experience the gastro goodness to the fullest, you’ll need to try a refreshing local drink. Our choice: txakoli! It’s hard to come by outside of northern Spain, so be sure to get your fix while you’re here. When we’re craving txakoli in San Sebastian, you’ll find us at one of these 3 best bars to drink txakoli in San Sebastián.
Looking for more wine tasting spots? Don’t miss these top 5 vineyard tours near San Sebastián and these 5 incredible regional wines to try in San Sebastián.
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Wait—What Is Txakoli, Exactly?
We’re glad you asked! Txakoli is a semi-sparkling white wine hailing from the Basque Country (the best stuff comes from the town of Getaria, just outside San Sebastian). It’s young and fruity, with a slightly mineral aftertaste thanks to the coastal climate where the grapes are grown. Txakoli is especially tasty when served alongside the Basque Country’s famous seafood, but it’s also delicious on its own!
Want to learn more about what to drink here in the Basque Country? We’ll let Devour Tours cofounder James and Devour San Sebastian city coordinator Ania take it from here. In the video below, they’ll walk you through the best local drinks in San Sebastián and explain everything you need to know about txakoli—from the unique growing conditions to how to pour it like a pro!
Where to Drink Txakoli in San Sebastián
Luckily, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy this delicious drink here in our favorite Basque city. Practically any bar you step into (and there’s a lot of them) will serve txakoli—they’re pretty proud of it here, and for good reason! Here in San Sebastian, it’s as ubiquitous as the classic Rioja is throughout most of the rest of Spain. However, if you need a little help narrowing it down, you can’t go wrong at any of these places.
Txepetxa: a Traditional, Rustic Pintxos Bar
As we mentioned earlier, our favorite food pairing for txakoli in San Sebastian is easily seafood! And here along the coast, you can’t get much better than the mouthwatering anchovies at Txepetxa. (“But I don’t like anchovies!” We hear you, but give these a try—we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.)
The no-frills bar in the Old Town may not look like much, but draws everyone from a crowd of locals out on their nightly pintxos crawl to iconic chefs and celebrities. In fact, we love this place so much that we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to include it on our Ultimate Pintxos & Wine Tour!
📍 Address: Calle Pescadería, 5
Gandarias: Classy, Sit-Down Elegance
The simple elegance and fabulous food at Gandarias has helped it win the hearts (and tastebuds!) of generations of San Sebastián locals.
Additionally, they’re home to an extensive and fabulous wine list, which happens to include not just one, not two, but eight excellent txakolis. Among them: an organic variety from Getaria and a rare Atlanhtic red txakoli. If you already know and love txakoli in San Sebastian and want to try something new, you’re sure to find it here.
📍 Address: Calle 31 de Agosto, 23
Txakolina: Great Pintxos & Txakoli
If you’re hankering to pair Basque txakoli with mouthwatering pintxos, Txakolina is the perfect place to go! They serve high quality txakoli and pair it with a wide variety of classic pintxos, like croquettes, anchovies, mushrooms, and other seafood. You can also pair your wine with a dessert like panna cotta or a baked apple for a wonderful finish.
📍 Address: Abuztuaren 31 Kalea, 22, 20003 San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain
One more tip: Here’s an important thing to remember about txakoli: a little bit goes a long way! Trust us—you don’t need a full glass.
Try Txakoli with Us on Tour!
We don’t know about you, but we sure could go for a nice, crisp glass of txakoli right about now. Want to join us? It’s as easy as signing up for our Ultimate Pintxos & Wine Tour, where the classic Basque wine is just one of the fabulous drinks on offer. And don’t worry—we didn’t forget the food! You’ll sample everything from impossibly fresh seafood to the best cheesecake in Spain. We can’t wait to have you along!
Featured Review: San Sebastián Pintxos Tour
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Mila was a wonderful guide and she showed us a perfect mix of spots. They were genuinely “local” and it was a great combination of pinxtos, drinks and dessert. Simply wonderful!”
– Scott
Txakoli in San Sebastián FAQs
What is txakoli and why is it famous in San Sebastián?
Txakoli is a lightly sparkling white wine from the Basque Country, especially the coastal area around Getaria near San Sebastián. Made primarily from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape, it is known for its crisp acidity, citrus flavors, and slight salinity from the nearby sea. Txakoli has become one of San Sebastián’s signature drinks because it pairs perfectly with pintxos and seafood.
Where should you try txakoli in San Sebastián?
For a classic txakoli experience in the Old Town, head to Txakolina, which specializes in local wines. Pintxo bars like Bar Txepetxa are another excellent choice, especially if you want to pair txakoli with anchovy pintxos. If you have time to leave the city, a winery lunch at Bodega Katxiña Txakolina near Orio offers one of the most scenic and authentic txakoli experiences in the region.
How do you drink txakoli like a local?
Locals serve txakoli very cold and pour it from high above the glass to release its natural fizz and aromas. The dramatic pour also helps soften the wine’s acidity and makes the slight sparkle more noticeable. Enjoy it in small quantities, as a little goes a long way.
What food goes best with txakoli?
Txakoli pairs especially well with seafood, salted anchovies, tuna, and classic Basque pintxos. One of the most traditional pairings is a glass of txakoli with anchovy pintxos at Bar Txepetxa. It also works beautifully with grilled fish and shellfish at places like Restaurante Zelai Txiki.
Can you visit a txakoli winery near San Sebastián?
Yes. One of the best day trips from San Sebastián is visiting a txakoli winery in nearby Getaria or Orio. Bodega Katxiña Txakolina is a popular option, and many travelers also visit wineries such as Hiruzta, Rezabal, and Talai Berri to tour the vineyards and taste different styles of txakoli.
