San Sebastián · Spain
The San Sebastián food cheat sheet
One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026
The dish to eat
The original pintxo: a skewer of anchovy, green olive and pickled guindilla pepper.
Best at Casa Vallés, Calle Reyes Católicos, Centro. Get: The gilda, where it was invented, and a glass of txakoli
Five places, and what to order
- Bar Nestorcounter · Parte Vieja (Calle Pescadería 11)Get: The tortilla española (only two made a day), tomato salad, Gernika peppers, txuleta steak
- Ganbaracounter · Parte ViejaGet: Mushrooms
- Bar Sportbar · Parte ViejaGet: Gildas (olive, pepper and anchovy skewers)
- La Cuchara de San Telmofor pintxos · Parte ViejaGet: Seared foie gras, carrillera
- Rekondofor txuleta · IgeldoGet: Txuleta
The market
Market complex. Basque fish, vegetables, local ingredients
In season this November
Wild mushrooms (hongos, boletus)
How it works here
Tip: Not expected. Leave the small change or round up, up to 5-10% for a great meal.
Book: Book sit-down dinners a few days out; pintxos and tapas bars are walk-in, so go bar to bar.
When locals eat: Lunch 2-4pm is the big meal; dinner starts at 9pm, 10 on weekends.