Eating San Sebastian: Beyond Pintxos Tour

Located in Gros, this lively local square will be your first glimpse of everyday life in San Sebastián. Framed by the Church of San Ignacio, bars, and shops, families gather here, just steps from our nearby first tasting stop.

Step into a welcoming family-run bar devoted to traditional Basque flavors. Savor their signature pintxo: grilled mushrooms with rich foie gras and creamy alioli on crusty bread, perfectly paired with a refreshing Marianito vermouth, herbal and slightly sweet, the classic Basque aperitif.

Step into a local couple's wine and beer shop, where you'll build your own Gilda: the anchovy, olive, and pepper skewer that started San Sebastián's whole pintxos tradition. Pair yours with a glass of wine or beer, your choice.

Between the Hotel Maria Cristina and Teatro Victoria Eugenia, discover San Sebastián’s Belle Époque legacy. Nearby, spot the Kursaal and Zurriola Bridge, linking Gros to downtown with river views and surfers heading out to the waves.

Sit down at one of the Old Town's liveliest streets for two skewers: shark and shrimp fresh from the Cantabrian Sea, and thick, aged txuleta beef grilled over charcoal. You'll wash it down with cider poured txotx-style.

La Bretxa Square, named after a breach made by Napoleon’s troops during the 1800s siege, is now a bustling hub where locals shop for fresh fish, meats, and produce, a lively glimpse into everyday Basque life in the city center.

Set on the iconic 31 de Agosto Street, one of the oldest streets in San Sebastián, this stop brings you to a beloved local bar that feels like a doorway into the city’s past. Bernardo, its 70-year-old owner, greets visitors with a warm smile and a lifetime of devotion to Basque cuisine. Here you’ll enjoy a special off-the-menu tasting of tender grilled squid with potatoes pintxo, beautifully paired with a glass of Txakoli, a dry white wine from the Basque coast.

For a sweet finale, we'll visit the city's oldest pastry shop, open since 1886. Here, you'll taste the original recipe of the iconic pantxineta: a flaky puff pastry filled with rich pastry cream and toasted almonds. You'll take it to go and savor it on the boulevard as the perfect end to your tour.