The surfers-and-students quarter east of the Urumea river around Zurriola beach, anchoring the modern Basque cooking wave at Galerna, Topa Sukalderia and Sakona Coffee.
Galerna Jan Edan in San Sebastian's Gros, run since 2016 by Jorge Asenjo and Rebeca Barainca, cooks a short modern-Basque tasting menu in a 30-cover room.
OrderThe bonito de Bermeo when the line boats land; in autumn the game-season tasting around hare and pigeon.
TipTwo services, lunch and dinner, both menu-only. Book a fortnight ahead in season; the dining room is small and full.
Topa Sukalderia in San Sebastian's Gros is the IXO Grupo (Andoni Luis Aduriz) Basque-Latin American room since 2017, with tacos, ceviches and a counter.
OrderThe quesadilla de morcilla and the cochinita pibil taco; the pisco sour to drink.
TipThe bar is walk-in; tables need a reservation through the website. The kitchen runs continuously from 13:00 onwards.
Casa 887 in San Sebastian's Gros runs a Basque-fusion kitchen with Asian inflection in a stone-and-wood room, with both a la carte and a 65-euro tasting menu.
OrderThe steak tartare and the carabineros if they're on the carte; the tasting if you're in for the night.
TipBook through OpenTable; the room is intimate and sells out on weekends.
Bar Bergara on General Artetxe in San Sebastian's Gros, since 1950, is the award-winning miniature-cuisine counter where Juan Mari Arzak is a regular.
OrderThe Txalupa with prawn-mushroom gratin; the Itxaso monkfish with seafood cream.
TipWalk in only at the counter; small street terrace. The kitchen rotates new pintxos through the year while keeping the prize-winners on the daily list.
Casa Senra on Calle San Francisco in San Sebastian's Gros runs a working-day menu del dia and a traditional Basque pintxo counter, the neighbourhood lunch.
OrderThe menu del dia at lunch; the carrillera al vino tinto if it's on the carte.
TipLunch served 13:00-15:30; menu del dia 14 to 18 euros. Closed Sunday.
Topa Sukalderia in San Sebastian's Gros is the IXO Grupo (Andoni Luis Aduriz) Basque-Latin American room since 2017, with tacos, ceviches and pisco cocktails.
OrderThe quesadilla de morcilla; the cochinita pibil taco; the pisco sour.
TipWalk in at the bar or book a table through topasukalderia.com. The kitchen runs continuously from 13:00.
Bar Bergara on General Artetxe in San Sebastian's Gros, since 1950, sets out one of the most decorated miniature-cuisine pintxo counters in the city.
OrderThe Txalupa gratin of prawn and mushroom; a wedge of the tortilla de anchoas; a glass of Txakoli.
TipWalk in at the counter; small street terrace fills first. Closed Wednesdays.
La Gintonería Donostiarra on Calle Zabaleta in San Sebastian is the Gros gin lounge with over 150 gin labels and theatrical aromatic-infusion gin and tonics.
TipOpen evenings from 18:00; book ahead at weekends. The flight format lets you taste three gins side by side before the full pour.
Mala Gissona Beer House on Calle Zabaleta in San Sebastian is the Gros craft-beer dive 100 metres from Zurriola, with 12 taps and 150-plus cans split.
TipKitchen runs late; Thursday through Saturday close at 01:00 or later. Stand at the front bar for the surf-and-skate Gros crowd talking flights.
Basqueland Izakaia on Calle Peña y Goñi in San Sebastian is the Gros taproom for Basqueland Brewing, opened 2020 with 12 rotating taps and Asian bar food.
TipPair the Santa Clara lager with the ramen; the room runs late and weekend taps rotate fastest. Walk-in only, the bar tightens after dinner service spills over.
Picachilla Taberna Nautikoa on Calle Peña y Goñi in San Sebastian is the Gros nautical-themed local across from the Kursaal, with 100-plus beers.
TipMatch nights run the bar at full volume until last whistle, then the room thins for a quiet pour. The terrace faces the Cubos de Moneo and Zurriola promenade.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Visit the best pintxos and wine bars in San Sebastian on an exclusive tour. Discover some of the best local, family-run eateries and hidden gems.
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Escape the crowds and dive into the authentic flavors of San Sebastian as you taste lesser-known favorites and iconic bites in the Centro neighborhood.
Guided tour · 4.5 hours
Embark on a culinary journey in San Sebastián. Walk through the charming old town to our "gastronomical club," where you'll create and savor 4 pintxos, a Basque cheese...
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