Atari Gastroteka on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian's Old Town, opposite the Santa Maria del Coro basilica, pulls a steady morning coffee crowd that takes the church-step terrace by 09:00.
Tip: Mornings are the best coffee hour; pintxos start from 11:30. The terrace seats fill first.
Address: Calle Mayor 18, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, San Sebastián
Sakona Coffee Roasters in San Sebastian's Gros has run a specialty coffee programme since 2015, anchoring the city's third-wave scene with a 30-cover cafe a block from Zurriola beach. The roastery is in Irun on the French border.
Signature drink: Single-origin filter coffee
Tip: Try the seasonal filter pour or a flat white; the bean retail wall stocks Sakona's roasts to take home.
Old Town Coffee in San Sebastian's Centro, founded by Brazilian friends, runs single-origin coffees rotated seasonally and a counter of organic bakes with vegan and gluten-free options.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso
Tip: The Mercado San Martin branch is the original location; the Reyes Catolicos cafe is the newer flagship.
Koh Tao Cafe in San Sebastian's Centro, named for the Thai island where founders Ana and Ainara dreamed it up, is one of the original third-wave coffee bars in the city.
Signature drink: Specialty flat white
Tip: Pull up at the counter for the flat white; homemade cakes and a small brunch carte sit on the side.
Old Town Coffee inside Mercado San Martin in San Sebastian's Centro is the market-stall outpost of the city's specialty coffee pioneer, with a stand-up counter and a rotating bean wall.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: Pair a filter coffee with a Geltoki croissant from the bakery stall across the aisle. Closed Sundays.
Bideluze on Plaza Gipuzkoa in San Sebastian's Centro is the breakfast institution, with retro tile floors, a counter of morning tortilla and a back room of locals reading the paper.
Signature drink: Cafe con leche
Tip: Mornings are the best time; the plaza-side terrace is the calmer seat. Closed Sunday afternoons.
Kafe Botanika next to the Urumea river in San Sebastian's Centro runs an international cafe carte with vegan and gluten-free options, plus one of the city's most popular terraces.
Signature drink: Specialty coffee and vegan cakes
Tip: The terrace has been named among Spain's most beautiful; book by phone for weekend brunch.
