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
Martín Berasategui, Lasarte (Spain)
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.
Arzak, San Sebastián (Spain)
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.
Akelarre, San Sebastián (Spain)
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.
Mugaritz, Renteria (Spain)
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.
Amelia, San Sebastián (Spain)
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.
Elkano, Getaria (Spain)
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.
Alameda, Hondarribia (Spain)
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.
Kokotxa, San Sebastián (Spain)
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.
Ama, Tolosa (Spain)
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.
Ibai, San Sebastián (Spain)
At the Ibai restaurant, you will experience the team's affection for the best seasonal produce. The food is selected every morning at the markets in San Sebastian. The best produce, good craftsmanship and time for enjoyment delight guests when they visit Ibai.
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Restaurants with a view
Akelarre, San Sebastián (Spain)
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.
Rekondo, San Sebastián (Spain)
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.
Mirador de Ulía, San Sebastián (Spain)
The Mirador de Ulia is located on the slopes of Mount Ulia. An excellent location from which you have a panoramic view of San Sebastian / Donostia. The villa was built in 1939 by Jose Antonio Mendizabal, who fell in love with the property and was enchanted by the view. However, it was not until 1966 that Faustina Zaldua converted it into a hotel and restaurant.
