BasqueChef Pablo Loureiro Rodil€€€€€85Book 2 weeks ahead
The upstairs dining room of Casa Urola in San Sebastian's Old Town runs a Basque carte and tasting menu under chef Pablo Loureiro Rodil, a Michelin Guide.
Order: The chuleton of vaca vieja from the grill; the kokotxas de merluza; the seasonal vegetable tasting.
Tip: Pintxos at the ground-floor counter or book upstairs for the full meal. Closed Mondays.
BasqueChef Juan Mari Arzak and Elena Arzak€€€€€295Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead
Arzak on Avenida Alcalde Jose Elosegi in San Sebastian is a 19th-century family mansion that has held three Michelin stars since 1989, the New Basque Cuisine.
Order: The chef's tasting menu, anchored by the Laboratorio Arzak fermentations and the bonito with vino tinto.
Tip: Book through arzak.es 6 to 8 weeks ahead; the dining room sits 40. Closed Sundays, Mondays and late June plus most of November.
Tasting menuChef Pedro Subijana€€€€€295Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead
Akelarre on Mount Igueldo in San Sebastian, chef Pedro Subijana's three-Michelin-star room since 2007, looks straight out over the Cantabrian sea with three.
Order: The Aranori tasting menu with sea views; the Bekarki vegetal-leaning menu if you prefer plant-led.
Tip: Drive or take the Igeldo bus; the funicular doesn't run after 21:00. Book via akelarre.net; book the lunch slot for the daylight view.
Tasting menuChef Paulo Airaudo€€€€€215Book 4 weeks ahead
Amelia by Paulo Airaudo, two Michelin stars in the 2026 guide, runs an Italian omakase counter of premium product across a single tasting menu.
Order: The single tasting menu with the wine-pairing flight.
Tip: Now inside the Hotel Maria Cristina on Paseo de la Republica Argentina, opposite the Victoria Eugenia Theater. Book via the restaurant's site.
Tasting menuChef Daniel Lopez€€€€€105Book 2 weeks ahead
Kokotxa on Calle del Campanario in San Sebastian's Old Town, one Michelin star since 2010, takes its name from the hake-throat gland and runs Daniel.
Order: The Bidasoa tasting menu; the namesake kokotxas plate is on every menu.
Tip: Two services daily, 13:30 lunch and 20:30 dinner. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Book 10 days ahead through restaurantekokotxa.com.
ArgentineChef Iker Zabaleta and Xabier Zabaleta€€€€€85Book 2 weeks ahead
Aratz Erretegia in San Sebastian's Ibaeta is the Zabaleta brothers' asador in business since 1989, a Guia Repsol Sol grill room of charcoal-cooked txuleta.
Order: The chuleton of vaca vieja from the custom electric grill; the wild turbot a la parrilla.
Tip: Lunch menu del dia weekdays around 17 euros is the value entry. Drive or taxi to Ibaeta; the asador is set in its own grounds off Igara Bidea.