La Mejillonera on Calle del Puerto in San Sebastian has cooked mussels by the dozen since 1967, served standing at the bar with bravas and a cana for under 10 euros.
Tip: Standing only. Closed Wednesdays. Cash and card both.
Address: Calle del Puerto 15, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, San Sebastián
Casa Vergara on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian's Old Town since 1948 turns out the bacalao al pil pil pintxo for under 4 euros, the canonical budget bite from the church-step counter.
Try: Bacalao al pil pil pintxo with a glass of Txakoli
Tip: Terrace fills first; the pintxo plus Txakoli is under 6 euros.
Bar Txepetxa on Pescaderia in San Sebastian sells the vinegar-cured anchovy pintxo from 3 euros, the seafood-counter budget order with a Txakoli for under 6.
Try: Anchoa a la jardinera pintxo with Txakoli
Tip: Two anchoas with a Txakoli for under 8 euros. Counter standing only.
Antonio Bar on Bergara in San Sebastian's Centro serves a wedge of the 28-egg tortilla with a cana under 7 euros, the locals' lunchtime budget plate.
Try: Tortilla wedge with a cana
Tip: Tortilla finishes by 14:30. Stand at the counter; cash and card both.
Goiz Argi on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian's Old Town fires the brocheta de gambas to order for under 5 euros, the canonical Old Town budget bite with a Txakoli.
Try: Brocheta de gambas with cana
Tip: Stand only; the brochette plus a Txakoli is under 8 euros.
Bideluze on Plaza Gipuzkoa in San Sebastian's Centro serves the morning tortilla pintxo with a cafe con leche under 5 euros, the city's breakfast institution since the early 20th century.
Try: Morning tortilla pintxo with cafe con leche
Tip: Mornings are the best time; the plaza terrace is the calmer seat.
Bar Sport on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian's Old Town fires foie a la plancha to order for under 5 euros, the late-evening budget pintxo of the working Old Town crowd.
Try: Foie a la plancha pintxo
Tip: Counter standing only; the foie plus Txakoli is under 8 euros.
