12 Must-Try Pintxos in San Sebastian

Ganbara may be the best pintxos bar in San Sebastián. Even Elena Arzak of Arzak restaurant, which has three Michelin stars, says it’s probably her favorite pintxos bar in the city.

Try a variety of dishes here, but don’t miss the grilled wild mushrooms (hongos a la plancha) served with a free-range egg yolk. It’s unforgettable. The king crab tartlet (tartaleta de txangurro) is also highly acclaimed, and what Elena Arzak says she always orders.

Borda Berri’s famous risotto is made with rice-shaped puntalette (a type of pasta), mushrooms, and Idiazábal, a local sheep cheese. I’m not a risotto lover but couldn’t get enough of this perfect dish. The crispy pig’s ear in Romesco sauce (oreja de cerdo con romescu) is also popular.

La Viña made Basque cheesecake (tarta de queso) world famous. It’s one of my top five favorite desserts in the entire world. Order it with a glass of Pedro Ximénez sherry, as the locals do, and try to get a seat at the bar where rows of cheesecakes are cooling!

Here’s the original recipe from La Viña. It’s phenomenal and the easiest thing to make. Enjoy!

Bar Txepetxa is famous for anchovies (anchoas) served with over a dozen different toppings. Try Gilda with green olives and pickled peppers for a traditional Basque pintxo. Jardinera with tomato, pepper, and onion and Crema de Centolla (creamy spider crab) are also popular.

Bar Nestor is the place to go for egg and potato omelet (tortilla de patata), one of Spain’s signature, must-try dishes. It’s also a local favorite for Basque beef steak (txuleta).

Don’t miss La Cuchara de San Telmo’s slow-roasted suckling pig (cochinillo). The restaurant is also super popular for its veal cheek (carrillera de ternera) and cod (bacalao) pintxos.

Mendaur Berria is famous for its Egg ‘Mendaur’ dish, which features an egg cooked at a low temperature (huevo a baja temperatura) and served with parmesan, Iberian ham, mushroom cream, and truffle oil. The restaurant’s other stellar dishes include a baby squid wrap (taco-talo de begihaundi) and squid with three sauces (txipis en tres salsas).

If you’re a fan of fois gras (fattened duck or goose liver), order it at Bar Sport. Bar Sport is acclaimed for its grilled fois gras (foie a la plancha) served on top of a slice of bread.

Head to Paco Bueno for perfectly seasoned and cooked battered prawns (gambas a la gabardina).

If you’re in the city center, try Bar Antonio’s prawn ravioli (ravioli de langostino) and house-cured anchovies (anchoas).

Bodega Donostiarra is well known for its bonito del norte or white tuna fish pintxos. Try the El Completo (a tuna sandwich with anchovy and peppers) or the Indurain (a piece of tuna with anchovy, pickled peppers, chive, and olive). The restaurant is also famous for its Russian salad (ensaladilla rusa), a typical Spanish potato salad dish.

Bergara is popular for its Txalupa or puff pastry topped with mushrooms and prawns. Other standout dishes are Itxaso (monkfish with seafood cream) and Ajoarriero (cod with potato, tomato, and prawn).