Where to brunch in San Sebastián: morning rooms worth the queue.
Where to brunch in San Sebastián. the morning rooms worth the queue, and the kitchens still doing it right at noon.
La Madame on Calle San Bartolome near La Concha in San Sebastian was the city's first dedicated brunch room, opened by an owner returning from New York with eggs benedict and quinoa poke.
Order: Eggs benedict, French toast or the gilda burger
Tip: Weekend brunch only Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 13:30. Book through the website.
Sakona Coffee Roasters in San Sebastian's Gros is the city's specialty-coffee brunch room with single-origin filter, sourdough toast and Basque pastries a block from Zurriola beach.
Order: Filter coffee with a Basque cake from the counter
Tip: Mornings are calmer; the back counter has tables for laptops.
Old Town Coffee in San Sebastian's Centro runs a brunch counter of vegan and gluten-free organic bakes alongside the single-origin coffee programme, the weekend daytime stop.
Order: Pour-over coffee with a gluten-free banana bread
Tip: Open Sundays from 10:00 when most of the city's cafes stay shut.
Kafe Botanika next to the Urumea river in San Sebastian runs a vegan-and-vegetarian brunch carte with curries, hummus and falafel, with one of Spain's most beautiful river-side terraces.
Order: Pea falafel with hummus and the vegan curry
Tip: Book the terrace for weekends; the back garden is the quietest seat.
Bideluze on Plaza Gipuzkoa in San Sebastian's Centro is the classic Spanish breakfast counter with retro tile floors, morning tortilla and a plaza terrace from 07:30.
Order: Tortilla pintxo with a cafe con leche
Tip: Walk in any morning; the plaza terrace is the calmer seat.
Topa Sukalderia in San Sebastian's Gros runs a daytime Basque-Latin American kitchen from 12:30, with tacos, quesadillas and ceviches in a long counter and table room.
Order: Quesadilla de morcilla, ceviche of bonito
Tip: Bar walks in; tables need reservation through topasukalderia.com.
Koh Tao Cafe in San Sebastian's Centro is one of the original third-wave coffee brunches in the city, with specialty pour-over and a small carte of brunch toasts and bowls.
Order: Pour-over coffee with avocado toast
Tip: Small room, busy at weekends. Walk in only.
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.