01
Txepetxa
You'll find a wide selection of anchovy pintxos, but don't miss the anchovy with chilli pepper and boiled egg – a unique and delicious combination.
Where to eat
Pintxos guide
Enjoy our pintxos trails: the bars we love and what to order in each one.
The essence of Basque cooking
One bite, one wine, and on to the next bar
Pintxos are a big part of Basque food culture. They're a kind of tapa or snack served in many bars across the region, usually with a glass of wine or a beer. They're a way of socialising and enjoying everyday life the Basque way – and also a way of experimenting with innovative flavours and techniques.
We suggest two trails: the classic one through the Old Town, and ours through the Gros neighbourhood, with old-school bars a stone's throw from the hostel.
Old Town
by Koba Hostel02
Goiz-Argi
If you're after an authentic, traditional atmosphere, this bar is a must. We recommend the famous potato omelette pintxo with txistorra (a smoked sausage), a classic combination of flavours.
03
La Viña
Cheese lovers won't be disappointed. Try the cheese pintxo with quince and walnuts, an unexpected but delicious pairing. And, of course, their famous cheesecake.
04
La Mejillonera
If you like seafood, this bar is unmissable. The speciality here is sharing plates: the spicy calamari (calamares bravos) are our favourite, along with the mussels and the patatas bravas.
05
Paco Bueno
Some of the most popular choices are the txangurro (spider crab) with mayonnaise and parsley, the bluefin tuna with mayonnaise and cucumber, and the foie with fruit compote. They also have a great range of grilled vegetables and meats.
06
Sport
Our favourite pintxo is the baby squid stuffed with txangurro. We also recommend their crêpes, the homemade foie, the txuleta burgers and the croquettes.
07
La Cuchara de San Telmo
Meat lovers won't be disappointed. Try the sirloin pintxo with mushrooms and foie, a luxurious and delicious combination.
08
La Cepa
Known for its quality pintxos and lively atmosphere. We recommend the pork loin pintxo with foie and apple compote, a blend of soft, elegant flavours.
09
Nestor
If you like txangurro (a type of crab) pintxos, this bar is a must. Their potato omelette, served only at 13:00 and 20:00, is one of the most sought-after in the city: you have to put your name on the list.
10
Gandarias
We recommend the beef cheek pintxo with foie and red wine sauce, a combination of strong, powerful flavours, and the txangurro pintxo with mayonnaise and parsley, a classic and delicious choice.
Gros
by Koba Hostel01
Ama Lur
Our next-door bar, an old-school place with no fuss but great food. Although it's known for its takeaway roast chicken, there's a great range of pintxos on the bar. We love the courgette with ham pintxo, but their omelettes and the pork knuckle are also highly rated.
02
Ezkurra
You'll find this bar on the street behind Koba. The host, Joseba, runs this family bar with great care and attention, and his ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad) is known as one of the best in the city.
03
Ricardo
Another neighbourhood classic: its mussel croquette deserves a try. It usually has a good atmosphere, with plenty of the neighbourhood's "txikiteros" (wine-round regulars) in attendance.
04
Zabaleta
At this bar the omelette takes the crown. If you love potato omelette, you can't pass up the chance to drop in.
05
Bergara
Pintxos are the speciality of this bar, famed for its many awards in the world of miniature cuisine. We recommend the classic "Txalupa" (puff pastry with mushrooms, prawns, cream and cava), the bacalao ajoarriero (cod with garlic and peppers) and the anchovy omelette.
06
Bodegón Donostiarra
The "Indurain" and "Completo" pintxos stand out, as does the potato omelette. Classics like boiled beef with tomato or Burgos black pudding also take centre stage, alongside salads, sharing plates, small casseroles and a well-reputed grill offering txuleta or skewers.
07
Senra
If you're after a bar that's been there forever, Bar Senra is your choice. In the heart of Gros, it serves traditional pintxos, sharing plates, combination platters and generous sandwiches.
08
Desy
Tucked away in the side streets, this little bar has become an essential stop on the neighbourhood pintxos trail. A place with real character, offering craft beers, good pintxos and what some call "the best burger in the city".
Keep exploring
