Sakona Coffee Roasters runs a specialty coffee programme since 2015, the city's third-wave pioneer with a public cafe in Gros and a roastery in Irun on the French border.
Tip: Order the seasonal filter at the bar; the bean retail wall stocks Sakona's roasts to take home.
Address: Ramon Maria Lili Pasealekua 2, 20002 Donostia-San Sebastian, San Sebastián
Old Town Coffee Roasters in San Sebastian's Centro, founded by Brazilian friends, is the city's other specialty pillar, with seasonally rotated single-origin beans and a brunch-leaning cafe.
Tip: Sit at the bar for the espresso flight; takeaway beans and brew kit at the front.
Sources from: Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, Honduras
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Koh Tao Cafe in San Sebastian's Centro, one of the city's earliest third-wave coffee bars, runs a small-batch brew programme alongside the cafe service and a tight roast list.
Tip: The pour-over service is what to order; the cafe is small and busy on weekend mornings.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, V60, AeroPress
Sakona's stall inside Mercado San Martin in San Sebastian's Centro brings the Gros roastery into the daily market, with a stand-up bar of espresso and filter and a retail bean wall.
Tip: Pair a filter with a bakery purchase from the next stall; the market closes Sundays.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Old Town Coffee's market-stall outpost inside Mercado San Martin in San Sebastian's Centro is the city's specialty coffee inside the working food market, with stand-up service from 08:30.
Tip: Pair a filter coffee with a bakery purchase from an adjacent stall. Closed Sundays.
Sources from: Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia
How they serve: Espresso, Filter
Petra Cafe on Calle Loiola in San Sebastian's Centro runs a small specialty coffee programme alongside a tight brunch and pastry counter, popular with the morning Mercado crowd.
Tip: Mornings are calm; the back room has a few seats for a slower coffee.
Sources from: Specialty rotating origins
How they serve: Espresso, Filter
