San Sebastian is synonymous with top quality food—so much so that it’s even considered the world’s best city for foodies. It boasts nearly a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants, a thriving pintxos bar scene, and beautiful local markets filled with fresh seafood, local meats, and seasonal vegetables. And that’s not to mention the excellent local wines and […]
The Best Restaurants in San Sebastian Without A Michelin Star
The best restaurants in San Sebastian have everything from Michelin-starred elegance to century-old rustic charm. Given the huge number of Michelin-star restaurants in San Sebastian, you can’t beat this city when it comes to quality. But the amazing thing about San Sebastian is the fact that you don’t need to shell out hundreds of euros […]
Where to Eat in San Sebastian: A Foodie Guide
When you’re in San Sebastian—widely considered Europe’s best foodie city—the question of where to eat becomes even more important. San Sebastian is a verified culinary wonderland. Here, rustic, age-old pintxos bars stand side by side with modern, experimental gastro hubs. And both of the above are sure to use fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients to […]
Our 6 Favorite Spots for Brunch in San Sebastian
San Sebastian is home to some of the best food in the world, and that’s also true for brunch. While brunch isn’t an age-old Basque tradition, San Sebastian’s reputation for innovative cuisine naturally lends itself to embracing this trendy mid-morning meal. And so we’re here today to talk about the best options for brunch in […]
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with the Best Churros in San Sebastian
This blog post was originally posted on October 18, 2018 and was updated on October 6, 2020. You can’t leave San Sebastian—or Spain in general—without trying churros at least once. (We don’t make the rules.) But when you do head out in search of churros in San Sebastian, make sure you get the good stuff. Read […]
Local Gems: Supporting 20+ Small Businesses in San Sebastian
Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, San Sebastian is on the road to recovery. While the city’s vibrant tourism industry took a hit in 2020, it’s now making strides to regain its former glory. Although the pandemic’s impact has lessened, many small businesses, especially in the Old Town, could still use your support and […]
All About The Iconic San Sebastian Cheesecake (+ Recipe)
The beauty of the legendary San Sebastian cheesecake is its simplicity. It doesn’t even have a crust, unlike its New Yorker cousin, and the list of ingredients is shorter than you’d think. The key factor is the perfect baking time—or rather, underbaking. The cake has to be taken out of the oven when it’s still […]
Where You Should Be Eating Paella (And More Spanish Rice Dishes) in San Sebastian
This blog post was originally posted on July 14, 2017 and was updated on September 9, 2020. Ask any group of visitors to Spain what they’re most excited to try and many people will say paella. We’re the first to admit that good paella is tricky to find outside its home region of Valencia. However, paella is […]
The Famous Basque Txuleta: Best Steak in San Sebastian
One of the cornerstones of Basque cuisine is the famous txuleta. We gathered up a list of the best places to try this famous local T-bone steak in San Sebastian. When traveling in Spain, many foodies have the world-famous Iberian ham and pork at the top of their list, and in the north of Spain […]
Dive Into a Shell Paradise: San Sebastian’s Top 7 Seafood Bites
Spain’s “Northern Pearl” hasn’t forgotten about its fishing-port origins, and neither have our taste buds! The cold Cantabrian Sea doesn’t just wash the shores of Playa de la Concha—it also provides the best seafood for the restaurants in San Sebastian. Trust us for a finger-licking experience and get ready for an unforgettable “port-to-table” moment. No […]
Where to Eat on Holidays in San Sebastian: Restaurants That Are Always Open
We understand the struggle: finding a great dinner spot in San Sebastian on many Mondays, some Tuesdays, and public holidays can feel like an impossible mission. Holiday season can be especially tricky in a small city like San Sebastian: many family-run bars and restaurants close their doors for small periods of time. But no matter […]
Behind Closed Doors: A Deep Dive into Basque Gastronomic Societies
At the heart of the Basque Country’s famous cuisine beat the many gastronomic societies—the mysterious birthplaces for many typical Basque dishes. Eating well and the importance of food have been an inseparable part of Basque identity for as long as we can remember. There are many secrets, traditions and rituals related to the gastronomy here, […]
Eating Alone in San Sebastian (+ Tips for Solo Travel in Donostia)
Eating out solo might feel a bit awkward, but eating alone in San Sebastian is not so bad. Regardless, this foodie paradise is just too good to pass up, even if you’re nevous about flying solo. Given that San Sebastian is a top destination for solo travelers, tips for eating alone in San Sebastian is […]
What Are the Typical Basque Christmas Foods? An Authentic Basque Country Menu
Typical Basque Christmas foods are just as delicious (and extensive!) as you can imagine. For Basques, food always comes first, and the winter holidays are no exception. Spanish cuisine, famous for its amazing flavors, takes on even higher levels of deliciousness at Christmastime, if that’s even possible. But not all regions in Spain celebrate the […]
Our Best Tips for Spending New Year’s in San Sebastian
About to travel to the north of Spain after Christmas? There’s no better plan than celebrating the new year in San Sebastian! Wondering where to eat dinner on New Year’s Eve and where to head on New Year’s Day? Whether your preference is loads of glitter and bubbly, or a cozy dinner with some amazing […]
An Anthony Bourdain-Inspired Trip to San Sebastian, in 5 Steps
Even if you can’t claim to consider Juan Mari Arzak a father figure in your own life, you can still explore San Sebastian Anthony Bourdain-style. The late chef, author and travel documentarian visited the Basque Country and San Sebastian many times over the years. A couple of times, he also brought cameras along. In his […]
Where to Eat on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day in San Sebastian
Make your winter holidays unforgettable with these options for delicious Christmas Day and Christmas Eve dinners in San Sebastian. The town slows down during the Christmas holidays when local shops and restaurants close up and donostiarras get ready to spend the holidays with their families. But no worries––there are still plenty of excellent restaurants for […]
5 Great Spots to Try Vermouth in San Sebastian
Waking up your appetite like a local with a marianito among friends is a must when in the Basque Country. Trying out this controversial drink may not be the first thing on your to-do list when traveling in Spain. After all, for many of us, the word “vermouth” brings back images of that old Martini […]
Txikiteo 101: 5 Steps To Master Bar Hopping in San Sebastian
The secret to eating pintxos like a local is to master the txikiteo, a Basque-style food crawl. In San Sebastian you can’t avoid seeing bar counters full of mouthwatering little pintxos, the local version of tapas. But it doesn’t end there. Basque people are also famous for creating a unique way of going out for […]
Pack Your Bags: Top Day Trips from San Sebastian
This blog post was originally posted on June 12, 2018 and was updated on July 12, 2019. With rugged mountain landscapes and stunning sea views, it’s easy to fall in love with San Sebastian and the surrounding region. We might be biased, but we like to think San Sebastian—or the Basque Country in general—is one […]