Verified in San Sebastián.
Tarta de queso vasca (Basque burnt cheesecake) is a signature dish of Spain; we have verified places to eat it in San Sebastián. Crustless cheesecake baked at very high heat in a parchment-lined tin until the top caramelises black, the centre still soft and jiggly. Start with where to eat Tarta de queso vasca (Basque burnt cheesecake) in San Sebastián.
Crustless cheesecake baked at very high heat in a parchment-lined tin until the top caramelises black, the centre still soft and jiggly. Lemon-sharp interior, slightly bitter crust. Invented at La Vina in 1990.
Santiago Rivera invented the tarta de queso vasca at La Vina on Calle 31 de Agosto in 1990, while finishing his culinary training. The recipe blasts a 2-kilogram batter of full-fat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, cream and a small amount of flour in a 220C oven for 50 minutes until the top blackens and the centre remains soft. The dish stayed local until 2019, when the New York Times named it flavour of the year and the recipe travelled to cafes from Tokyo to New York under the name Basque burnt cheesecake or San Sebastian cheesecake. La Vina alone produces over 100 cakes daily; Otaegui in the Old Town and Geltoki in Amara now also sell wedges of their own versions.
Where to eat in San Sebastián:
Where to eat Tarta de queso vasca (Basque burnt cheesecake) in San Sebastián: the editor picks
Day trip · 4 hours
From lush valleys to your plate: a Basque Country cheese tour to explore the flavors of Idiazabal, surrounded by mountains, grazing herds, and award-winning local cheeses.
3.5 hours
Learn to cook Basque dishes in a cooking class in San Sebastián. Visit a local market and meet vendors, hear their stories, and understand why ingredients are so important.
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Join a top-rated San Sebastián cooking class and learn to prepare authentic Basque dishes with local chefs. Enjoy a hands-on culinary experience with wine, cider, and ...
