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Crustless cheesecake baked at very high heat in a parchment-lined tin until the top caramelises black, the centre still soft and jiggly. Lemon-sharp interior, slightly bitter crust. Invented at La Vina in 1990.
Santiago Rivera invented the tarta de queso vasca at La Vina on Calle 31 de Agosto in 1990, while finishing his culinary training. The recipe blasts a 2-kilogram batter of full-fat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, cream and a small amount of flour in a 220C oven for 50 minutes until the top blackens and the centre remains soft. The dish stayed local until 2019, when the New York Times named it flavour of the year and the recipe travelled to cafes from Tokyo to New York under the name Basque burnt cheesecake or San Sebastian cheesecake. La Vina alone produces over 100 cakes daily; Otaegui in the Old Town and Geltoki in Amara now also sell wedges of their own versions.
3 editor picks for Tarta de queso vasca (Basque burnt cheesecake) in San Sebastián, ranked by editorial score. All San Sebastián signature dishes · Tarta de queso vasca (Basque burnt cheesecake) across every city.
La Vina on Calle 31 de Agosto in San Sebastian invented the burnt Basque cheesecake in 1990, when Santiago Rivera blasted a crustless cheesecake.
OrderThe tarta de queso, a wedge from the counter, plus a glass of Pedro Ximenez or Txakoli to cut.
TipClosed Mondays. Get the cheesecake at the counter; the dining room behind serves a sit-down lunch with the same wedge for dessert.
Pasteleria Otaegui's original branch on Narrika in San Sebastian's Old Town has run a counter of Basque pastries since 1886, the pantxineta cream-puff.
TipThe pantxineta is the household name; eat the wedge or take a tin home. Several branches across the city.
Pasteleria Geltoki on Easo in San Sebastian's Amara is a working Basque bakery-cafe with a counter of pastries, sit-down coffee service and the locals'.
TipOpen from 07:30 weekdays; the bread queue is long by 09:00. Closed Sundays.
Tarta de queso vasca (Basque burnt cheesecake) makes more sense with someone from San Sebastián explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Day trip · 4 hours
From lush valleys to your plate: a Basque Country cheese tour to explore the flavors of Idiazabal, surrounded by mountains, grazing herds, and award-winning local cheeses.
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Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Join a top-rated San Sebastián cooking class and learn to prepare authentic Basque dishes with local chefs. Enjoy a hands-on culinary experience with wine, cider, and ...
