DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN - PINTXO BAR CRAWL

Sep 2

6 min read

For this visit to San Sebastián for a pintxos bar crawl in June 2026, we concentrated on pintxos rather than sit-down meals. We started our pintxo tour in Parte Vieja (the old town). We always prefer hot pintxos, as they are made to order. The pintxos on the bar are not a problem, but you may eat too much bread! We tend to have no more than two pintxos and a glass of wine or beer per bar, so we don’t get too full too early. The best time to visit pintxo bars is 8.30 — 10.30 pm.

Many pintxo bars close for summer holidays, usually during the last week of June and the first week of July. They are typically closed on Sundays and Mondays, and some may also close mid-week on Wednesdays. Additionally, these bars tend to be very busy if a festival (such as a film or jazz festival) is happening, so keep that in mind when making reservations.

It was bustling on this trip, with queues of up to thirty minutes at some of the well-known bars in the old town. If coming June-September, it may be worth checking out Gros and the Central area bars. A few of the reviews here are from a previous trip, but are still relevant.

We stayed in the fabulous Hotel Niza, set opposite Playa de La Concha.

It has terrific views from the bedroom balcony.

After sunset, we then strolled along the promenade and made our way to the old town.

Parte Vieja

Our first stop is always,

BAR PACO BUENO

Calle Mayor, 6, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

This traditional, social club-style bar has a strong focus on boxing and rugby. Managed by owner Paco Bueno, a boxer, along with his sons, the bar’s speciality is deep-fried gambas (be sure to wait for them to be served hot).

CERVECERÍAS LA MEJILLONERA

Portu Kalea, 15, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

+34 943 428 465

www.cerveceriaslamejillonera.es

Try the mejillones picantes and the patatas bravas.

Pimientos de Padrón or calamare frita.

As the name suggests, this is the place for mussels. It is nothing fancy, mainly just mussels. It is usually packed with locals.

Do not be shy; elbow your way to the counter. When finished, you can drop your empty shells into the trough on the floor.

GANDARIAS JATETXEA 31 de Agosto Kalea, 23, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

More excellent old-style pintxos are served at this always-buzzing bar. We had the house special, which included solomillo and pimientos (€3.55 per pintxo). There is also a restaurant where the must-have is Vaca Vieja txuleton (old cow rib-eye steak). The house red, the excellent Marqués de Vitoria, was €3.70 per glass. We had a glass of Bideona Samaniego at €6.75.

LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO 31 de Agosto Kalea 28, 20003 Corr de San Telmo, Donostia-San Sebastián

This bar is in a side alley off Calle de 31 de Augusto. You will not see any cold pintxos set out on the bar; all the pintxos here are hot (made to order), and you order from the blackboard menu behind the bar. We had the foie, salteado compota manzana (foie gras sautéed with apple sauce) at €8.

And cochinillo (suckling pig, which is not always advertised, so you may have to ask for it).

GANBARA JATETXEA San Jerónimo Kalea 19, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

Famous for its seasonal specialities, like the barra setas plancha (mushroom plate with egg yolk). It was expensive but worth it. You’ll never taste anything so pure and umami-laden.

BAR TXEPETXA Arrandegi Kalea 5, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

You may have second thoughts when you walk into this traditional bar and see the retro ceramic anchovy pintxos on display. Don’t. All the anchovies and boquerones here are made to order. You pick from the variety of toppings on the fish-shaped menu boards at the back of the bar.

We had our favourite. Crema de centollo (anchovy toast with cream of spider crab)

But others, such as foie y compota Manzana (anchovy toast with foie gras and apple purée) and the famous La Gilda, are also excellent. Always drink Txakoli with these pintxos.

BAR NESTOR Arrandegi Kalea 11, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián This bar is renowned for its single tortilla that serves 16 people, and you need to make reservations in advance. The tomato salad and the famous txuleta (T-bone steak from an aged cow) are also delectable. However, since we were on a pintxo tour, the txuleta was too much for us, so we opted for tomatoes and peppers with a glass of red wine instead.

BAR SPORT Fermín Calbetón Kalea 10, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

As its name suggests, this bar is especially favoured during sporting events, yet it serves beautifully crafted pintxos all week long. Bar Sport is a local favourite, providing a classic Basque dining experience enhanced by its tasty wines and sangria. We enjoyed the hot foie pintxos.

This bar is among our top choices; however, in June 2026, it was so crowded that it became unpleasant, and it took more than 30 minutes to be served.

Chiperon.

Bar Sport is open a little later than most bars.

BORDA BERRI Fermín Calbetón Kalea 12, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

Here, we had the kebabs at €5.50 each (yes, it says kebabs, but they’re one of the best ribs you’ll ever have).

And risotto, glutards, be warned, risotto in San Sebastián is made with orzo (pasta), not rice.

The day’s specials are wiped off the menu board quickly, so you need to get in soon.

BAR LA VIÑA 31 de Agosto Kalea, 3, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastián

For dessert, we always come here. It is said they serve the best tarta de queso (cheesecake) in the world. It is slightly different from other cheesecakes, as it’s fluffy and lighter. It is creamy but not too heavy. They sell many of them, and you should try them (you get two slices per portion).

The other pintxos are tasty, but it’s the cheesecake we always come for.

SIRIMIRI ATARI GASTROTEKA Calle Mayor 18, 20013 Donostia-San Sebastián

We finished the evening at this buzzy, lively bar. The food was good, but we were only here for the cocktails and G&Ts.

The next day, we tried a few pintxos in the newer, central part of town.

BAR CIABOGA Easo Kalea, 9, 20006 Donostia-San Sebastián

It’s a tiny bar that has always excelled at one thing: patatas al ajillo (garlic potatoes), priced at €4. It is the best in town.

Although now it also has an award-winning tortilla

ANTONIO BAR Bergara Kalea 3, 20005 Donostia-San Sebastián The hongos del país con yema de huevo y foie (porcini mushrooms with egg & foie gras) is worth going for alone. Although we’ve had similar dishes elsewhere, we went traditional with the txistorra.

and gabardina

With a glass of verdejo. It’s a few blocks from the old town, but it is worth the trip.

We then crossed the river to the Gros area and Playa de Zurriola.

DESY GROS

Local 19, Ronda Kalea, 4, local 4, 20001 Donostia-San Sebastián

+34 943 293 763

The hamburger txuleta at €10 each is one of the best I’ve ever had. It is a three-ingredient burger that will be remembered for a long time. (T-bone steak, minced and cooked rare, with cream cheese on a super-soft, sweet brioche bun).

Patatas Desy (superb homemade garlicky chips with bacon) (€7.50).

They have an excellent selection of craft beer.

This is a traditional family-run bar with charming owners. The establishment is relatively small and not suitable for large groups. It’s lively, with a great atmosphere and exceptional service.

BAR RICARDO - RIKARDO TABERNA

General Artetxe Kalea, 6, 20002 Donostia-San Sebastian

+34 943 286 642

This is a famous local, family bar that has been open for at least 40 years.