Skip to main content Skip to page footer
Restaurant Ranking logo

Restaurant search

restaurants in San Sebastian

Top 10 restaurants in San Sebastian and the surrounding area

San Sebastián, also known as Donostia, is a city in the Basque Country in the north of Spain. It is famous for its stunning beaches, picturesque old town and, above all, its outstanding gastronomy. The city is a true paradise for foodies and offers a variety of restaurants ranging from rustic pintxos bars to avant-garde Michelin-starred restaurants. San Sebastián is also known for its pintxos, small tapas served in bars. For those looking for a more upscale culinary experience, there are several Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastián. These restaurants combine traditional Basque cuisine with modern techniques and offer an unforgettable culinary experience. Another highlight of the city is the Mercado de la Bretxa, a lively market selling fresh local produce.

Incidentally, the Gourmet Club of the Restaurant Rankings has travelled to San Sebastian several times for joint culinary discoveries. If you are interested, you can find our current annual programme here.

The best restaurants in San Sebastian

Restaurant Martín Berasategui in Lasarte / Spain

Martín Berasategui, Lasarte (Spain) 5

Martin Berasatequi is one of the great chefs in Spain and the Basque Country. He can certainly be mentioned in the same breath as greats such as Ferran Adria and Juan-Mari & Elena Arzak. He is the Spanish chef with the most Michelin stars. In 1993, he opened the Martin Berasategui restaurant in Lasarte-Oria, just 7 kilometres from San Sebastián, together with his wife Oneka Arregui. Many other restaurants around the world followed.
Restaurant Arzak in San Sebastián / Spain

Arzak, San Sebastián (Spain) 5

Arzak is known for its laboratory kitchen with over 1000 different products and ingredients. Here, father and daughter constantly create new dishes in a creative process. Elena Arzak joined the family restaurant in the 90s. Elena has worked in well-known restaurants such as La Maison Troisgros, Pierre Gagnaire, Louis XV in Monte Carlo, Le Gavroche in London and El Bulli in Spain. Father Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter share the culinary knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for their restaurant.
Restaurant Akelarre in San Sebastián / Spain

Akelarre, San Sebastián (Spain) 5

The restaurant is located on a charming corner of the Cantabrian coast with a magnificent view of the Bay of Biscay. Carefully crafted tasting menus are created here, providing guests with unforgettable culinary experiences. Pedro Subijana has been demonstrating his artistic skills in the kitchen for decades, which have taken his restaurant to the culinary pinnacle.
Restaurant Mugaritz in Renteria / Spain

Mugaritz, Renteria (Spain) 4

The Mugaritz restaurant in Renteria has always been a culinary place that delights some visitors and irritates others. Mugaritz is still considered to be one of the most innovative restaurants at the moment and tries to inspire its guests with stories, flavours, textures, provocations, games, culinary allusions and pleasant stimuli in its very own way. Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz has learnt and worked with all the great Spanish chefs and took over his parents' business in 1998 at the age of just 27.
Restaurant Amelia in San Sebastián / Spain

Amelia, San Sebastián (Spain) 4

Amelia, a small restaurant created with great commitment to bring the love and respect for the best products closer to the guest. The sea is the central element and the inspiration to develop dishes full of nuances. Chef Paulo Airaudo calls his cuisine ‘Italian Omakase’, as this is where his Italian roots are combined with Japanese flavours.
Restaurant Elkano in Getaria / Spain

Elkano, Getaria (Spain) 4

The Elkano restaurant has been located in Getaria, the southernmost tip of the Bay of Biscay, since 1964 and offers a different menu every day. Every day, the fishermen bring the best the coast has to offer and every day a tasting menu based on the Bay of Biscay is created at Elkano. Region, species and seasonality are emphasised here. The local farmers deliver fresh produce every day and have the same quality standards as the kitchen team.
Restaurant Kokotxa in San Sebastián / Spain

Kokotxa, San Sebastián (Spain) 3

Located in the heart of the historic centre of San Sebastian, in the romantic area next to the Basilica of Santa Maria, La Concha beach and surrounded by the city's main gastronomic venues, the pintxos bars.
Restaurant Ama in Tolosa / Spain

Ama, Tolosa (Spain) 3

The Ama restaurant is located in the Villa de Tolosa under the direction of chef Javier Rivero and Gorka Rico. The cuisine is based on the authenticity of local products from the Tolosaldea region, market cuisine and respect for the producers. Under the motto “The local protects us, let's protect the local”, the restaurant strives to use small local products in every dish they serve.
Restaurant Alameda in Hondarribia / Spain

Alameda, Hondarribia (Spain) 3

Hondarribia is bathed by the Bidasoa River, where the Gipuzkoa, Navarre, France and the Cantabrian Sea meet. Gorka Txapartegi runs this family project there, which has been serving local and seasonal cuisine since 1942. The Alameda restaurant serves New Basque Cuisine.
Restaurant Itzuli in San Sebastián / Spain

Itzuli, San Sebastián (Spain) 3

Complete restaurant ranking for Guipúzcoa

Search this area

Restaurants with a view

Restaurant Akelarre in San Sebastián / Spain

Akelarre, San Sebastián (Spain) 5

The restaurant is located on a charming corner of the Cantabrian coast with a magnificent view of the Bay of Biscay. Carefully crafted tasting menus are created here, providing guests with unforgettable culinary experiences. Pedro Subijana has been demonstrating his artistic skills in the kitchen for decades, which have taken his restaurant to the culinary pinnacle.
Restaurant Itzuli in San Sebastián / Spain

Itzuli, San Sebastián (Spain) 3

Restaurant Rekondo in San Sebastián / Spain

Rekondo, San Sebastián (Spain) reference 2

Time flies at Rekondo, whether at the table or at the stove. An atmospheric gastronomy and an amazing wine cellar bring people from all over the world together every year to enjoy the unique location at the foot of Monte Igeldo overlooking the bay of Donostia.

Complete restaurant ranking for Guipúzcoa

Events and gourmet holidays

champagne happiness

October 2026: Trip to Champagne

Get to know the winegrowers personally and experience the incomparable flair of Champagne.

GourmeTour

October 2026: Paris with 2x***

GourmeTour to Paris from 14.10. to 18.10.2026. Please send reservations and questions to club@restaurant-ranglisten.de

[Translate to English:]

GourmeTour

April 2027: Kyoto with 2x***

GourmeTour to Kyoto from 6 April to 11 April 2027. Please send bookings and enquiries to club@restaurant-ranglisten.de

Restaurant review

Amelia, San Sebastian

"Japanese purism and product focus, Italian and Spanish elements combine to create a cosmopolitan cuisine"

[Translate to English:] Restaurants in San Sebastian

Our Top 10 in

San Sebastian

San Sebastián, also known as Donostia, is a beautiful city in the Basque Country in the north of Spain. It is famous for its stunning beaches, picturesque old town and, above all, its outstanding gastronomy. The city is a true paradise for foodies and offers a variety of restaurants ranging from rustic pintxos bars to…

Mai 2013: Sylt

vom 1. Mai - 5. Mai 2013 (eigene Anreise)

More news Less news
Gourmet-Club