San Sebastian is a small city close to the French border, which is known for being one of the most historically famous tourist destinations in Spain. With its stunning landscapes and worldwide famous cuisine, San Sebastian should be on everyone’s list of places to visit this summer.
Also, if you are a food lover, here’s good news in case you decide to visit San Sebastian. There is no better place to eat in Spain. Actually, some might make an argument that there is no better place to eat in the whole world. This is due to a dense number of Michelin stars restaurants located in this area.
In case you have a problem choosing where to eat, here are our top 10 restaurants for you in san Sebastian with 5 Michelin rated and 5 pintxos restaurants.
1. Arzak
On top of our list, we find Arzak, which is located just outside the city center. It is the most famous restaurant in the area. It is run by Juan Mari and his daughter Elena who are both experts in what the locals call Nueva Cucina Vasco (new basque cooking).
The restaurant is inside an old multiple-storied brick building, with the restaurant on the main floor. Above the restaurant, there is a wine cellar with over 100,000 bottles of wine. But we warn you, in case you want to try the food in Arzak, you must make reservations at least a month in advance.
2. Martín Berastegui
Martin Berastegui is one of the great Spanish chefs with no less than 7 Michelin stars to his name. For fine dining enthusiasts, a visit to his famous restaurant is a must. This innovative chef uses local ingredients to the full, signature dishes include such delights as crayfish over an aniseed sea-bed and coral mayonnaise, grilled hake loin, coconut, red curry and liquid, and crunchy razor-shells and lightly marinated oyster with iced cucumber slush and K5, and spicy apple. Booking a table well in advance is a must to avoid disappointment.
3. Akelare
Akelare, which is situated in the Igueldo district of San Sebastian, offers amazing views of the surrounding countryside and over the Cantabrian sea. It is one of the most prestigious restaurants in the Basque Region which includes an excellent wine bodega and its very own vegetable and herb garden. The seats near the windows are highly sought after although perhaps a more intimate space is in one of the three dining rooms inside. Dishes at Restaurant Akelera are meticulously prepared with the menu changing frequently. A popular dining option is the “Menú de Degustación” a special menu consisting of the chef’s latest dishes prepared with the freshest seasonal produce.
4. Mugaritz
The Restaurant Mugaritz is known as one of the world’s most creative restaurants. Head Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz is the owner and head chef, he learned his trade under a number of top chefs including Ferran Adria. There is not a set conventional menu as such, rather Andoni and his brigade prepare creative and astonishing dishes based on the seasonal availability and the tastes of their clientele. Restaurant Mugaritz has led a culinary revolution with some quite outstanding offerings, try the 24 dish menu which will test your taste buds on so many levels, not to mention the stunning visual spectacle of the food served.
5. Alameda
The Alameda is a family-run restaurant run by the Txapartegi brothers who are the grandchildren of its creator. Alameda has boasted a Michelin star continuously for over 20 years. Brother Mikel is responsible for the dining room whilst head chefs Gorka and Kepa aptly run the kitchen. Their motto is that at least 80% of the fresh ingredients must come from within a radius of 25m. Basque Nouvelle cuisine of the highest standard is on offer at the Restaurant Alameda using only the best of freshest ingredients such as fresh anchovy, baby squid, local mushroom, and Iberian Dewla.
6. A Fuego Negro
San Sebastian restaurants mostly take place in wooden bars carrying a cozily traditional look. The A Fuego Negro, however, which literally translates to “Black Fire,” is designed with a more modern look of black and concrete. Younger tourists will enjoy the hip-hop music playing as they taste pintxos served with a modern flair.
7. Txepetxa
The first tapas-based eatery is Bar Txepetxa, which is located in the old part of the city in Calle Pescaderia, 5. This is one of the most popular tapas bars in San Sebastian opened its doors in 1973 and has been on the received end of many gastronomic awards over the years. They serve some of the best homemade pintxos prepared with love and dedication. You can enjoy a large variety of local ingredients including crabs, octopus, anchovies, mussels, and shrimp. All of these are served with a flair that whets the appetite the minute you walk enter the bar whilst enjoying the artistic display of its famous patrons from the past.
8. Borda Berri
Located in Fermin Calbetton 12, the Borda Berri is famous for its Veal Cheeks, Idiazabal and Hongos. Their pintxos have also been lauded as some of the best in the area. If you’re a fan of meat dishes then Borda Berri is for you. Specialty dishes include local bread beef rib eye and amazingly succulent spare ribs. Other delicacies include risotto and bomba rice with squid. Although the available space is a bit small, patrons flock to the Borda Berri thanks to their delicious food.
9. Anastosia Berri
Restaurant Anastosia Berri is a hidden gem and easy to miss so make sure you find it as it is well worth the effort. This is a fine family-run establishment serving excellent local dishes within a well-thought-out menu. The restaurant has recently been refurbished with blue flecked walls, high ceilings, and decorative chairs and although the room feels up
market it is actually quite relaxed. The website is only in Spanish at the moment but well worth a look at the incredible dishes on offer.
10. La Muralla
Dining at the Restaurant La Muralla allows you to truly indulge yourself in good wholesome local fare prepared in a traditional manner with an innovative twist. It also offers a large and varied sweet menu. Despite the discrete look of the establishment, it has an agreeable ambiance that makes La Muralla a very interesting gastronomic destination for all food lovers. Signature dishes include mushroom and fungi ravioli with foie-gras cream, sliced squid with its black ink sauce, and roast Iberian ‘secret’ (a pork cut) with mango cream and crunchy roasted potatoes.
If you want to become a part of the team of one of the most famous restaurants in San Sebastian, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. 🙂
