Basque Pintxos€€parte-vieja
Casa Vergara on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian's Old Town, since 1948, sits opposite the Santa Maria del Coro basilica with the bacalao al pil pil pintxo.
Signature: Bacalao al pil pil, Brocheta, Pintxo de tortilla
Order: The bacalao al pil pil pintxo; the tortilla by the slice; a glass of Txakoli on the church-step terrace.
Tip: Terrace seating across from the basilica fills first. Open daily; standing room only.
Basque Grill and Pintxos€€parte-vieja
Casa Tiburcio on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian, rebranded Fermin Calbeton under Grupo Garrancho in 2022, runs a Basque pintxo counter and a back-room.
Signature: Brasa de carne, Callos y morros, Pintxos tradicionales
Order: The callos y morros if it's on the day's list; the brasa-grilled chuleton from the back.
Tip: Brasa lights at 12:30 and 20:00. Stand at the front bar for pintxos.
Basque Pintxos€€parte-vieja
Atari Gastroteka on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian, opposite the Santa Maria del Coro church, runs a long bar of experimental pintxos and a church-step.
Signature: Brocheta de langostinos, Solomillo con foie, Pintxos de autor
Order: The langostino brochette; the solomillo with foie; a Txakoli on the terrace.
Tip: No reservations, walk in only. The terrace is the social hour; pull up at 19:30 to beat the queue.
Modern Basque Pintxos€€parte-vieja
Borda Berri on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian cooks hot made-to-order pintxos off a tight blackboard menu, no counter display, the Idiazabal-cheese risotto.
Signature: Risotto de Idiazabal, Carrillera al vino tinto, Costilla de Basatxerri
Order: The risotto de Idiazabal con puntalette; the carrillera al vino tinto; the Basatxerri pork ribs.
Tip: Walk in only, closed Sundays. Stand outside if the bar is full; orders come out fast.
Basque Pintxos€€parte-vieja
Bar Sport on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian's Old Town runs a brisk pintxos counter of grilled foie, stuffed squid and braised cheek, with a Txakoli pour.
Signature: Foie a la plancha, Txipiron relleno, Carrillera
Order: The foie a la plancha; the txipiron stuffed with spider crab.
Tip: Counter standing only. Open daily until midnight; weekends from 11:00.
Basque Pintxos€€parte-vieja
Goiz Argi on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian cooks a single perfect prawn brochette to order, griddled with a sweet red pepper sauce on bread.
Signature: Brocheta de gambas, Chipiron a la plancha, Moruno de carne
Order: The brocheta de gambas, cooked to order; chipiron a la plancha; a glass of Txakoli.
Tip: Stand only; brochette is fired fresh. Open 10:00-16:00 and 18:30-23:30.