Where San Sebastián drinks local: brewpubs, taprooms and the new wave.
Taprooms, brewpubs and the local beer scene in San Sebastián worth taking a tram to.
Basqueland Izakaia in San Sebastian's Gros, a 100-metre walk from Zurriola beach, serves the brewery's freshly brewed beer alongside Asian bar snacks and organic wines.
Tip: Tap rotation is weekly; the Asian small plates are the food pairing.
Mala Gissona Beer House in San Sebastian's Gros runs 12 taps of own and guest beers from the affiliated Oiartzun microbrewery, plus 150 bottles and cans on a back wall.
Tip: Industrial-minimalist room; the flights are the way to taste-test before committing.
Petritegi in Astigarraga, 7km from San Sebastian, has pressed Basque cider since 1526 across three dining rooms, with the canonical txotx menu of cod tortilla, txuleta and txahal-iztarra.
Tip: Txotx season is January to April; bottled service runs year-round. Book ahead through petritegi.com.
Zelaia in Hernani, 8km from San Sebastian, runs a quality-seal Basque cider with the canonical sagardotegi menu standing up between barrels during the January to April txotx season.
Tip: Txotx season only; outside Jan to April the dining room is closed. Drive or take the bus from San Sebastian.
Peak food season in San Sebastián is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. San Sebastián rewards trust.