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.
Tip: Pull up at the counter for the flat white; homemade cakes and a small brunch carte sit on the side.
Address: Calle Bengoetxea 2, 20004 Donostia-San Sebastian, San Sebastián
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.
La Madame on Calle San Bartolome near La Concha in San Sebastian's Centro is the city's pioneer brunch room, opened in 2011 by owners returning from New York with the carte.
Signature drink: Cafe and weekend brunch
Tip: Weekend brunch only, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 13:30. Book ahead through their site.
Akerbeltz on Calle Mari in San Sebastian's Old Town is a cosy cafe-and-craft-beer room with a Bay-of-Biscay terrace overlooking the harbour, popular for afternoon coffee.
Signature drink: Coffee and craft beer
Tip: Terrace tables go first; the back room is calm. Coffee in the morning, craft beer in the afternoon.
Topa Sukalderia in San Sebastian's Gros runs a daytime cafe-and-counter alongside the Aduriz-helmed Basque-Latin American kitchen, with cafe de olla and Mexican hot chocolate.
Signature drink: Cafe de olla and Mexican hot chocolate
Tip: Morning hours are quieter; the bar opens at 12:00 and serves coffee with the lunch menu.
