Wed-Sun 17:00-01:00
Akerbeltz on Calle Mari in San Sebastian's Old Town serves Basque sidra natural from the barrel and a small natural-wine list, with a Bay-of-Biscay terrace overlooking the harbour.
Signature pour: Natural cider from the barrel
Wine focus: Basque cider and natural wines
Food: Pintxos and small plates
Tip: Terrace at the front overlooks the bay; the back room is calm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tue-Sun 12:00-15:30, 19:30-23:00
Casa Urola on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian's Old Town keeps one of the most complete Basque wine lists in the Old Town, with Txakoli on tap and a deep Rioja Alavesa shelf upstairs.
Signature pour: Itsasmendi Txakoli by the glass
Wine focus: Basque Txakoli, Rioja Alavesa and growers
Food: Pintxos counter and full dining room upstairs
Tip: Drink Txakoli at the counter; the dining room upstairs lets you settle in with a half-bottle of Rioja.
Mon-Sat 09:00-22:30, closed Sundays
Antonio Bar on Bergara in San Sebastian's Centro pairs the 28-egg tortilla and the double-anchovy gilda with a tight by-the-glass list of Txakoli and Spanish small growers.
Signature pour: Ameztoi Rubentis Txakoli rosado
Wine focus: Basque Txakoli and Spanish small growers
Food: Tortilla, gilda, classic pintxos
Tip: Drink Txakoli with the gilda; the tortilla wedge needs a heavier red.
Sun-Thu 12:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-02:30
Atari Gastroteka on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian's Old Town, opposite the Santa Maria church, pours Txakoli from height into wide tumblers across one of the busiest standing-room terraces in the city.
Signature pour: Txakoli served from height into the church-step terrace
Wine focus: Txakoli, sherry and Spanish whites
Food: Modern pintxos and brochettes
Tip: Order Txakoli to drink on the church-step terrace. The terrace fills first; arrive by 19:30.
Mon-Sat 07:30-23:00
Bideluze on Plaza Gipuzkoa in San Sebastian's Centro keeps a tight wine carte alongside the breakfast institution, with Txakoli pours and a small Rioja Alavesa list for the aperitif hour.
Signature pour: Aperitif Txakoli at the bar
Wine focus: Basque Txakoli and Rioja by the glass
Food: Tortilla, classic pintxos
Tip: Aperitif hour 19:00 onwards; the plaza terrace seats four. The classic stop before dinner.
Tue-Sun 11:00-15:30, 19:30-22:30
La Vina on Calle 31 de Agosto in San Sebastian is the burnt-cheesecake house since 1990, with a small wine list anchored by sherry and Pedro Ximenez to drink with the wedge.
Signature pour: Pedro Ximenez alongside the burnt cheesecake
Wine focus: Sherry, Pedro Ximenez and Basque whites
Food: Tarta de queso and classic pintxos
Tip: Pedro Ximenez is the canonical pairing; a glass with the tarta de queso wedge.