The historic center of San Sebastian is one of the top areas to eat in the city. With a delicious mix of seafood and local meat dishes, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect place for every taste. So read on and learn more about where to eat in San Sebastian’s Old Town.
The Old Town, or Parte Vieja, perfectly embodies the unique cuisine found in San Sebastian. Brilliantly combining traditional pintxo bars with some of the city’s most avant-garde gastro bars, there’s something for everyone! Couple that with its amazing location near all the major sights in the city and Parte Vieja is a great option for anyone unsure where to eat in San Sebastian’s Old Town.
Read along to learn about favorite spots in the area and begin your gastronomic exploration of San Sebastian’s historic old town.
Restaurante Kokotxa
Michelin-starred Restaurante Kokotxa (Calle del Campanario, 11) is a classic and contemporary choice, serving top-notch dishes and wines from its own cellar. Think dishes such as hake fish with saffron rigatoni and sea broth or Iberian pork with roasted hazelnuts and smoked pear crumble. Don’t forget to try their signature kokotxas, or hake cheeks, which are a Basque specialty. For dessert, the restaurant’s homemade caramelized brioche toast with pumpkin and spiced caramel ice cream is also particularly good. One of many amazing desserts you can enjoy in San Sebastian.
A Fuego Negro
If you’re not sure where to eat in San Sebastian’s Old Town, head for 31 de Agosto Kalea in the Old Town, where many of the city’s best pintxos bars can be found. A Fuego Negro (31 de Agosto Kalea, 31) may look like it’s stepped out of the 80s, but its dishes and pintxos come firmly from the 21st century, beautifully presented. Try the delicious cod and cauliflower curry or the shoulder of Basque wild pig. Also, don’t miss the unique frozen corn and chocolate sandwich.
La Cuchara de San Telmo
This busy little bar is nearly always crowded, as the locals certainly know where to eat in San Sebastian’s Old Town. Unlike other pintxos bars in the city, La Cuchara de San Telmo (31 de Agosto Kalea, 28) doesn’t line the food up along the bar; it writes up its menu on a blackboard and cooks dishes to order. Plates include black pudding with sautéed pear or foie gras with apple compote and cider.
Bodegón Alejandro Restaurante
One of San Sebastian’s many Michelin-starred restaurants, Bodegón Alejandro (Calle de Fermín Calbetón, 4) offers authentic Basque cuisine made with local and seasonal produce. Head Chef Iñaxio Valverde cooks up a menu including fillet of cod with spider crab cooked in a pil-pil (herb and olive oil) sauce. There’s also a six-course tasting menu and a seasonal menu, which you can enjoy while looking at a historic 360-degree painting of the city.
Ganbara
Step inside Ganbara and you know you will have found your perfect spot to eat in San Sebastian. Right in front of you, you’ll see a bar piled high with everything from various types of wild mushrooms to small green peppers and asparagus. Choose your ingredients and they will cook them freshly for you. Play a part in creating delicious bites such as sautéed mushrooms with egg and prawns, mushrooms with paté or fried green peppers sprinkled with salt. They also serve a range of charcoal-grilled fish (big enough for two), including monkfish, sea bass, red bream and hake.
Address: San Jeronimo Kalea, 19
La Muralla
Light and modern in decoration, La Muralla (Calle Embeltrán, 3) is situated in the location of the old city walls. This restaurant serves traditional Basque cuisine with a touch of innovation. The menu features dishes such as rice with clams, asparagus and parsley and garlic mayonnaise and duck confit with Pedro Ximenez wine sauce.
Want to discover more about the Old Town and its famous cuisine? Join us on our Ultimate Pintxos & Wine Tour, where you’ll explore the magic of this gorgeous historic neighborhood in the company of a local expert!