From the well-known gilda and engaging skewers, to the legendary Basque cheesecake, discover out about the most effective pintxos in San Sebastian!
After consuming my means round San Sebastian, I made a decision it was time to place all my tasting notes collectively in a single big information. After we began planning our journey to Spain, we discovered the quantity of data on-line fairly overwhelming! Eat right here, don’t go there, order this, however don’t step foot in right here. I questioned what our expertise could be like.
Since our vacation within the metropolis, I’ve realised that many San Sebastian meals blogs advocate the identical few pintxos and pintxos bars. I discovered there was much more to the town’s diverse delicacies. As I discussed in my information to planning a San Sebastian itinerary, I’d extremely advocate kicking your metropolis break off with a San Sebastian pintxos tour.
Not solely is it a good way to pattern plenty of dishes in a single go, you’ll additionally study some pintxos etiquette. You’ll learn how to order, what to ask for and some different suggestions that can make the remainder of your journey so much simpler.
However… whereas I’d say a strolling tour is a superb concept, I’d really say my favorite eating experiences concerned wandering from bar to bar as a pair, sampling a number of dishes at every. Basically, we created our very personal self-guided San Sebastian pintxos tour, and I’m a agency believer that you are able to do the identical!
Whereas the vast majority of the dishes I’m going to share with you might be on menus all 12 months spherical, a number of are seasonal. For instance, my go to in Could coincided with white asparagus season – how fortunate was that?! Additionally, a number of of the dishes I’m going to speak about aren’t really pintxos, however they’re dishes I completely beloved so I couldn’t depart them out!
So, whether or not you’re plotting out your personal pintxo tasting map otherwise you’re already salivating over what you’ll be consuming within the metropolis, this information to what to eat in San Sebastian will come in useful.
San Sebastián Pintxos Bar Map
I all the time save my favorite eating places and bars to Google maps. It makes it straightforward to share the place I’d advocate, with out having to jot down difficult names!
I’d counsel saving this map to your telephone earlier than you go, so you’ll be able to amble across the streets at leisure, all whereas preserving to the highest quality institutions. Whereas many of those bars are talked about in my information, there are a number of on the map that I haven’t included beneath, in order that’s much more purpose to maintain this map handy!
What are pintxos… and are Basque pintxos the identical as tapas?
If it’s your first go to to Spain or the Basque Nation, you may not have come throughout pintxos earlier than. Pronounced ‘pinchos’ (which can be the Spanish spelling) these are small bites usually served on a slice of baguette or on a skewer. Take into account them a Basque tapas!
They are usually smaller than a conventional Spanish tapas dish, and are designed to be eaten with one hand or in a number of mouthfuls.
In different areas of Spain, particularly in cities similar to Granada in Andalucía, once you order a drink you’ll obtain a tapa totally free. Don’t anticipate that in San Sebastian – the tradition of pintxos includes ordering dishes slightly than receiving them on a complimentary foundation!
Whereas pintxos began as quite simple skewers of elements, many bars have developed their vary of dishes, making a enjoyable and gastronomic expertise. I believed the meals in San Sebastian was glorious, diverse and actually shone a lightweight on native elements.
My one huge piece of recommendation? Don’t get carried away in your first bar! Create your personal San Sebastian pintxos tour and go to 5 or 6 bars throughout one night. It’s all a part of the enjoyable!
What to eat in San Sebastian (and the place!): 18 greatest pintxos in San Sebastian
La Gilda – Pepper, olive and anchovy skewer
Strive it at: Bar Casa Vallés
That is essentially the most well-known of all of the San Sebastian pintxos out there, and one you merely should strive in your go to to the town. Historically this skewer is made up of three guindilla pickled peppers, two olives and a salted anchovy.
The gilda was created at Bar Casa Vallés after a daily buyer mixed three bar snacks on one toothpick. It was a revelation – an actual flavour bomb! It really works nicely as an appetiser, washed down with a glass of txakoli, an area frivolously glowing white wine.
Txistorra – Smoked sausage
Strive it at: Bar Sport
This tasty sausage is normally made with minced pork, salt, paprika, pork, and garlic. It’s produced within the Basque Nation however isn’t dissimilar to the chorizo you would possibly already be conversant in. The sausage is a little bit longer and thinner than a typical chorizo although!
It has a beautiful salty and smoky flavour. If you wish to order it, the pronunciation is ‘tchistora’. After I tried it, it was frivolously fried and served heat on high of a spherical of baguette.
Txipirón plancha – Grilled squid
Strive it at: Bar Sport
Should you’re a fan of seafood, you’ll love this squid dish. It incorporates grilled child squid on a mattress of parsley and garlic sauce, drizzled with a candy, caramel-like aged balsamic vinegar from Modena. The 2 sauces are packed stuffed with flavour, and the infant squid was frivolously grilled, however nonetheless very tender. I’m not all the time an enormous fan of squid, however I’ll admit this was scrumptious!
If you wish to order it, the total pronunciation is ‘chiparone plancha con vinagre de Modena y salsa de ajo y perejil’ or you’ll be able to merely ask for ‘chiparone a la plancha’.
Vieira en salsa ajo blanco – Scallop in ajo blanco sauce
Strive it at: Casa Urola
Certainly one of my favorite issues in regards to the meals scene in San Sebastian is that it’s actually diverse. Some bars are actually upmarket, others are on the country finish of the size. Regardless, there’s good meals to be eaten in any respect of them.
Casa Urola on Fermin Calbeton Kalea serves good pintxos, typically on plates and in bowls slightly than on skewers or slices of bread. The expertise is much like having a gourmand tasting menu of small dishes.
Certainly one of my favorite pintxos from my journey to the town was this dish of scallops in a wealthy and creamy ajo blanco sauce. Should you’ve by no means had this sauce, it’s made with almonds, vinegar and garlic. It’s severely scrumptious and very moreish!
The scallops had been delicately fried till they had been a little bit golden on all sides, earlier than being smothered with the ajo blanco sauce and topped with crispy seaweed.
Brochetas de gambas – Prawn skewers
Strive it at: Taberna Pagadi
Wow was this a flavoursome few mouthfuls! It encompasses a frivolously fried skewer of prawns, topped with diced peppers and onion and a barely tangy French dressing. On the facet was a slice of baguette to absorb all of that yummy juice.
Pimientos asados leña – Wooden-roasted peppers
Strive it at: Bodega Donostiarra Gros
This was one of many first issues we ate in San Sebastian. Since finishing our journey, we genuinely assume it’s probably the most scrumptious plates we ate in the complete metropolis. It’s one other a kind of splendidly easy dishes. Only a dish of roasted purple peppers smothered in garlic and a wholesome drizzle of high-quality olive oil.
It was so tasty, with a very pungent wooden smoke flavour and that yummy candy pepper flavour. It’s not precisely a pintxo, however it’s a must-try meals in San Sebastian!
Pulpo a la brasa – Grilled octopus
Strive it at: Bodega Donostiarra Gros
This was one other nice discovery at our very first meal! This restaurant had been really helpful by lots of people and we shortly realized why! Nice flavours, buzzy environment, cheap costs and a cool location within the Gros neighbourhood, a stone’s throw from the Outdated City.
The octopus was delicately grilled, nonetheless retaining a moistness and never being rubbery. It was served on high of a paprika infused mashed potato, to proceed the smoky flavours.
Carne cocida con tomate – Pulled beef in tomato sauce
Strive it at: Bodega Donostiarra Gros
This hearty dish jogged my memory of a meat stew or an Italian ragu. The meat was braised and juicy, served in an unctuous sauce made with tomato. It’s undoubtedly extra of a winter dish in my view, because it’s on the heavy facet. It’d pair fantastically with a glass of rioja wine.
Itxaso – Monkfish with seafood cream
Strive it at: Bar Bergara
Who doesn’t love crumbly buttery pastry with a wealthy, creamy filling? This jogged my memory of the sort of tasty treats you’d have as a canape at a marriage. I’ll admit the filling was a little bit non-descript… and by that I simply imply we couldn’t put our finger on what it was precisely, however we each agreed it was scrumptious.
Contained in the pastry you’ll discover monkfish with a txakoli and leek cream. There are some little deep-fried items of leek on high too, including a little bit of crunch. Bar Bergara opened all the way in which again in 1950 and remains to be household owned (third era now!) It’s a brightly-lit institution with fairly an intriguing menu of pintxos. We’re undoubtedly glad we left to Outdated City to find it!
Ensalada de tomate – Tomato salad
Strive it at: Bar Nestor
You’ll see tomato salads on the menus throughout the town, and I’d undoubtedly advocate you order a plate throughout your journey. That is one other nice instance of a easy Basque Nation dish. It’s a reminder that once you deal with elements with care, a little bit little bit of magic can occur!
The elements are merely tomatoes, olive oil and salt. It’s completely scrumptious, notably when served with the town’s well-known txuleta steak.
Pimientos del Padrón – Padron peppers
Strive it at: Bar Mendi Berri or Bar Nestor
You’ll see this dish on many tapas bar menus. I believe it’s an excellent snack to accompany a glass of wine earlier than a meal and is usually all the time one among my favorite issues to eat in Spain. You’ll see these little inexperienced peppers on menus throughout San Sebastian, notably at bars that serve txuleta steaks.
I had them at a number of spots, however my favourites had been most likely at Bar Mendi Berri, an understated and un-touristy bar within the Gros neighbourhood.
Txuleta – T-bone steak
Strive it at: La Viña or Bar Nestor
Craving a steak? Effectively you’re in the appropriate place! OK, so this undoubtedly doesn’t match into the pintxos class because it’s a very substantial dish. It’s too good to not point out it although!
The txuleta is a large rib steak that’s served pink with a tasty crack of salt excessive. It has a bone down one facet, and the meat is basically flavoursome from the fats operating alongside the sting.
The right accompaniments are the tomato salad and fried peppers that I’ve talked about. Most bars provide this by weight. We discovered it arduous to discover a sufficiently small reduce for 2 individuals, they had been all ginormous! It’s simpler to order in case you’re in a gaggle… or actually actually hungry!
Espárrago blanco – White asparagus
Strive it at: Casa Urola
One other good dish out there at Casa Urola in San Sebastian Outdated City is that this one made with white asparagus and a hollandaise. Easy, but scrumptious. It’s a reminder that you simply don’t should do something elaborate to have fun a high-quality ingredient.
Carrillada Ibérica – Iberian pig cheek
Strive it at: 148 Gastroleku
Should you’re a meat lover, you’ll get pleasure from tucking into this dish of Iberian pig cheeks with pumpkin puree. It is a wealthy and filling dish with tender meat and a candy sauce.
The pork is braised and virtually melts in your mouth. To order it ask for ‘carrillera Ibérica con puré de calabaza’. You received’t remorse it! Should you’re searching for one thing to pair this dish with, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with a glass of purple wine similar to a rioja.
Brochetas – Skewers
Strive it at: Gandarias
Arms up in case you’re a fan of kebabs! I undoubtedly am so I used to be delighted to seek out that San Sebastian has a yummy type of meat kebab normally known as a brocheta (which means skewer).
At Gandarias I attempted two completely different ones: brocheta de cordero (lamb skewer) and brocheta de pato (duck skewer).
They had been layered alongside the stick to slices of inexperienced pepper, including a bitter but candy distinction. The skewers had a beautiful char, and whereas some had been a little bit dry, the flavour was actually tasty. The environment on this bar was nice too – it was actually full of life!
Tacotalo – Taco type pintxo
Strive it at: Mendaur
Whereas many pintxos in San Sebastian have historic origins, Bar Mendaur is showcasing some trendy creations. This dish is much like a big taco, topped with battered squid, kimchi, leaves, pickled onions and a spiced mayonnaise.
Within the Basque Nation there’s an identical type of dish known as a talo, which is quite a lot of flatbread, so the title of the dish, tacotalo is a enjoyable play on phrases!
Torrija – Bread dessert
Strive it at: Atari
Are you prepared for dessert? Sure you even get candy pintxos in San Sebastian!
Torrija is a cross between bread and butter pudding and French toast. It has a buttery flavour and a caramelised outdoors. You don’t have to crack by way of the sugar coating like a crème brulee, however it’s not far off. Contained in the dough is mild and fluffy.
Should you’re a fan of desserts, order one for your self. In any other case, it’s fairly sickly so that you would possibly wish to share together with your journey buddy!
Tarta de Queso – San Sebastian Cheesecake
Strive it at: La Viña
Final, however definitely not least, is essentially the most well-known dessert within the metropolis: the San Sebastian cheesecake. It is a baked cheesecake with a easy, creamy center and a burnt caramelised outdoors.
I can affirm, after two parts (!!) it’s completely scrumptious! The preferred place for a slice of Basque Nation heaven is La Viña. As you stroll in you’ll see all of the Basque cheesecakes ready on the cabinets! It’s fairly the operation.
So, there now we have it! That’s just about the whole lot I ate in San Sebastian… excluding a Michelin-starred meal at Mirador de Ulia and the dishes I helped create at a cookery class! Sure, that is undoubtedly a metropolis the place your abdomen leads the way in which! Deliver your stretchiest trousers.
Should you’re searching for different actions on your keep within the metropolis, I’d advocate studying my San Sebastian itinerary. This contains solutions for a gaggle pintxos tour, market stroll with a high chef, cookery class and wine tour! My information is filled with journey suggestions for non-food actions too (similar to visiting the seaside and some pretty hikes) for between all of these plates of pintxos!
Donostia–San Sebastián, because it’s identified by locals, is without doubt one of the greatest meals locations on the planet. I hope you could have an incredible journey! Eat heaps, drink heaps and benefit from the lovely flavours of the Basque Nation.
