Welcome to “Been There Done That” – Your Ultimate Guide to San Sebastian’s 12 Must-Try Pintxo Bars!

Explore the culinary delights of this gastronomic capital as we take you on a flavorful journey through the vibrant streets of San Sebastian. From traditional Basque classics to innovative creations, our curated list of pintxo bars unveils the hidden gems where you can indulge in mouthwatering bites. Join us as we navigate the buzzing streets, share insider tips, and introduce you to the talented chefs and passionate locals who bring the pintxo culture to life in this culinary haven.

1. Borda Berri

Borda Berri is one of the places to be for your Pintxos. When asking the locals for the place to be, this is the place they recommend. The menu changes regularly, hence it’s difficult to make set recommendations. However, they have some specialties that have been on the menu for a long time. Their risotto is made with a sauce of Idiazabal (sheep). The risotto is creamy and heavier bite, but oh so delicious.

Address: 12 Fermin Calbeton Kalea

Opening hours: 12.30-15.30 & 19.30-23.00 (closed on Mondays)

What to order: Risotto, Beef cheek (Carillera), Oreja de cerdo crujiente (Pig’s ear)

2. Txepetxa

Txepetxa is the master in anchovies in San Sebastián. Whatever topping you can think of, they have it. The recommendations are Antxoa con jardinera, anchovy with a topping of salsa jardinera: red and green pepper, guindillas and onion, and Antxoa con crema de centolla, achovy on a cream of spider crab.

Address: 5 Arrandegi Kalea

Opening hours: 12.00-15.15 & 19.00-23.00 (closed on Mondays)

What to order: Antxoa con jardinera, Antxoa con crema de centollo

3. La Cuchara de San Telmo

Address: Santa Korda Kalea, 4

Opening hours: 12.30-15.30 & 19.30-23.00 Wednesday-Saturday, 12.30-15.30 Sunday, 19.00-23.00 Tuesday (closed on Monday)

What to order: Roast Pork (Cochinillo) & Octopus (pulpo)

4. Goiz Argi

Mari Juli is a common Pintxo in Donostia and the best of the best you can find here at Goiz Argi. Their version is made with smoked salmon, preserved anchovy and green peper served on a piece of toasted bread and topped with their homemade vinaigrette. Goiz Argi is a small place but can be very busy. While you are there also try their prawn pintxo.

Address: 4 Fermin Calbetron Kalea

Opening hours: 10.00-16.00 & 18.30-23.30

What to order: Salmon (Mari Juli), Prawns (Gamba)

5. Gandarias

Gandarias is even for a San Sebastian standards a busy bar. The place is in the contrary to other Pintxo bars open all day, and you line up and order at the bar and get a buzzer to know when your food is ready. The absolute star at this place is the steak.

Featured in: Forbes,

Address: 31 de Agosto Kalea

Opening hours:11AM-12PM

What to order: Steak (Solomillo), Brocheta de gambas

6. Bar Sport

Although you have good reason to assume, this bar is not exactly a sport bar. This Pintxo bar is another local favorite with a wide selection of pintxos and portion size tapas. Go here for the Foie de Las Landas, a hot pintxo with coarse salt and served with peper to taste by the waiter.

Address: 10 Fermin Calbeton Kalea

Opening hours: 09.00-00.00 (Saturdays from10.00 & Sundays from 11.00)

What to order: Foie de Las Landas

7. Paco Bueno

For the best battered shrimp pintxo in town head to Paco Bueno. The bar is named after the owner, a a famous former boxer and son of a rugby player. Knowing this some of the interior designs might fall into place.

Address: 6 Calle Mayor

Opening hours: 10.30-15.00 & 17.30-22.00 (closed on Fridays)

What to oder: Gamba gabardina (battered shrimp)

8. La Viña

Immediately when you aks for the table the waiter will ask you if you come for their cheesecake or for their pintxos. The cheesecake is a phenomenon in the city and people will just line up to eat this particular dish.

Address: 31 de Agosto Kalea, 3

Opening hours:10.30-16.00 & 19.00-23.00 (closed on Mondays)

What to order: Torta de Queso (Cheesecake)

9. Astelena 148: Cured Salmon (Salmón curado)

Gastroleku is situated in the heart of the old centre at the corner of the constitution square. One of the must have bites here is the Pulpo a la brasa, octopus with marinates potato and kimchi mayonaise.

Address: Iñigo Kalea, 1

Opening hours: 12.00-23.30 (closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays)

What to order: Cured Salmon, Pulpo a la brasa

10. Ganbara

Ganbara is the place to be for good quality pintxos. The bar&restaurant was founded in 1941 and is nowadays a well known place all over the city. If only visiting one place in Donostia, this is the Pintxo bar with ingredients of the highest quality.

Featured in: Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, Michelin guide, Food & Wine best restaurants

Address: 19 San Jeronimo Kalea

Opening hours: 12.00-15.15&19.00-23.00 (closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Sundays: 12.30-15.15)

What to order: Hongo a la plancha con yema de huevo (Mushrooms with egg yolk), Tartaleta de txangurro (Crabtartlets), Gambas rebozadas

11. Cervecerias La Mejillonera

La Mejillonera is special bar that differentiates from the other Pintxo bars. Interior is snackbar alike with just a few mussel dishes, patatas bravas and beer & sangria. Waiters yell their order in person to the kitchen. Although the mussel dishes are excellent, it was the unique patatas bravas sauce that has made their name in the city.

Address: 15 Calle del Puerto

Opening hours: 12.00-14.45 & 18.00-21.00 (Saturdays & Sundays: 12.00-20.00)

What to order: Mussels (Mejillones), Patatas Bravas

12. Casa Urola

This bar running since 2012 has received quite some fame in the short time it is open. The cuisine embraces seasonal products where the taste gets enhanced by the taste of the charcoal grill. The place specializes in seasonal pintxos, both hot and cold, made in the moment.

Address: 20 Fermin Calbeton Kalea

Opening hours: 12.00-15.30 & 19.00-23.30 (closed on Tuesdays)

What to order: Vieira con ajoblanco (Scallop), Alcachofa con praliné de almendras y jamón (Artichoke), Urola (Lobster)

Featured in: Anthony Bourdain; Parts Unknown