Michelin-Star Restaurants in San Sebastián for 2022

At first sight, San Sebastián might look like any other beach town in Spain. But this coastal paradise in the Basque Country has made headlines in the culinary world thanks to its innovative local chefs. As of 2021, there are 11 Michelin-Star Restaurants in San Sebastián, each with its one speciality. You’ll find more details about the chefs and the menus of all these restaurants below.

Kokotxa

Tucked away in the old town near the Basílica de Santa Maria, you’ll find Kokotxa. Its minimalist interior allows the food to shine. The colourful dishes are a modern interpretation of traditional Basque recipes with elements from abroad, curated by the young chef Dani López. There are two tasting menus, but most visitors opt for the Menú de Mercado, which features ingredients sourced from the city’s local market. Highlights include the fresh fish and the Txangurro (baked stuffed crab).

Number of Stars: One Michelin Star
Price Range: €90 for the Menú de Mercado and €130 for the Degustation menu (plus extra for drinks)

Amelia

Just a few steps away from Playa de La Concha is one of the city’s most recent Michelin-star restaurants — Amelia. Housed inside the Hotel Villa Favorita, this latest addition stands out with its open kitchen concept. There are only a few tables here and a few seats at the bar, allowing for a more intimate experience. Since the place is small, make sure to book in advance to guarantee a table. The restaurant serves a single tasting menu that combines Basque flavours with international touches from Italy, Argentina and Japan. Chef Paulo Airaudo is Argentine-Italian, hence the foreign connections. The dishes change seasonally but always use fresh ingredients mainly purchased from small local producers. Guests can complete their experience at Amelia with a wine pairing, which features organic and biodynamic options.

Number of Stars: One Michelin Star
Price Range: €231 for the tasting menu (plus €88 for the short wine pairing or €134 for the Amelia pairing)

Akelarre

Open since 1970, Akelarregot its first Michelin Star in 1978. Chef Pedro Subijana kept working on the menu, and since then the restaurant has earned three Michelin stars. Located a few miles west from the centre of San Sebastián, Akelarre sits on the footsteps of Mount Igueldo, offering incredible sea views from its terraces. Even if you sit inside, the large glass windows allow you to enjoy this natural scenery. The restaurant is famous for its seafood dishes and gives a creative twist to regional ingredients, with dishes that engage all your senses. There are two tasting menus — Aranori and Bekarki. For a personalised experience, you can also book a Cooking Masterclass in advance. Akelarre even offers accommodation, so you can spend the night here if you would like.

Number of stars: Three Michelin Stars
Price Range: €240 for the tasting menu (drinks not included)

Arzak

Chef Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena run the show at Arzak. Juan Mari took over a tavern that belonged to his grandparents and transformed it into one of the best restaurants in San Sebastián. It seems that the passion for food runs in the family with his daughter earning the title of the World's Best Female Chef in 2012. The father and daughter duo helped kick off the Basque nouvelle cuisine with their innovative dishes. Visitors can enjoy a seasonal tasting menu that plays on different textures and unusual pairings. Play is the word of the game here as the Arzaks have a test kitchen where they experiment with new recipes and cooking methods. There’s also a magnificent wine cellar that stores over 100,000 bottles of wine. The restaurant earned its third Michelin star in 1989 and has held on to it for three decades now, making the stakes pretty high.

Number of Stars:Three Michelin Stars
Price Range: €195-€255

eMe Be Garrote

Set inside a former cider house in the Ibaeta district, eMe Be Garrote welcomes visitors in a unique space that combines Basque and Scandinavian design. Whisker baskets serve as lamps and giant cider barrels decorate the walls. This is one of the many restaurants run by chef Martín Berasategui, a Spanish culinary royalty who holds 12 Michelin-stars. At eMe Be Garrote he revives his Basque origins but gives it a modern twist. Choose between the tasting menus or create your own selection of dishes. Highlights include the steak tartare, the grilled hake with Iberian carpaccio, and for dessert the vanilla and strawberry liquid meringue. For wines, the house sommelier is always ready to give you a recommendation.

Number of Stars: One Michelin Star
Price Range: €60-€105 (price varies according to the à la carte or tasting menu format, you can include the wine pairing for an additional cost)

Mirador de Ulía

As the name suggests, this Michelin-star restaurant has a privileged location amid Mount Ulia. From its terrace, visitors can enjoy views over the Zurriola beach and even further down the coast on clear days. The building dates back to the 1950s, but the restaurant has only been here since 1966. Mirador de Ulía offers a quiet oasis in San Sebastián, and its lush gardens are the ideal spot for hosting a special event. The current chef, Rubén Trincado, has created a menu based on Basque tradition but open to foreign influences. You can order à la carte or choose one of the tasting menus. There’s even a vegetarian option. Specialities include the Ocean blue hake fish and the tomato starter, but you can always ask for a recommendation.

Number of Stars: One Michelin Star
Price Range: €65-€120 (price varies according to the à la carte or tasting menu format, you can include the wine pairing for an additional cost)

Martin Berasategui

Chef Martín Berasategui gives his name to this Michelin-star restaurant in the town of Lasarte-Oria. The talented figure that runs eMe Be Garrote (one star) and other high-end spots across Spain, reach the highest award in the field here, having earned his third star in 2001. Even with his rising popularity, Berasategui often oversees the kitchen and occasionally chats with the guests. The restaurant has a dining room with cosy fireplaces and glass windows that overlook the lush landscape of the Gizkupoa region. In the summer you can enjoy a seat on the outdoor terrace. Visitors can expect creative dishes with different textures and colourful presentations based on molecular cuisine, available as à la carte or within the tasting menu. Specialities include the vegetable hearts salad with seafood and the charcoal-grilled langoustine over an aniseed seabed.
 

Number of Stars: Three Michelin Stars
Price Range: €190-€285 (price varies according to the à la carte or tasting menu format, you can include the wine pairing for an additional cost)

Mugaritz

Prepared to be amazed by a 20-course tasting menu at Mugaritz, in Errenteria. Inside the rustic country house hides a contemporary-style dining room ready to welcome guests. Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz and his team have curated a menu with surprising creations, mixing textures, flavours and unconventional presentations. In fact, this has been named one of the most adventurous restaurants in the world. Dishes are prepared individually and often adapted to cater to the tastes of each guest. Beyond the restaurant, there’s also a separate lounge for after-dinner drinks and a garden with a terrace for the warmer days.

Number of Stars: Two Michelin Stars
Price Range:€242 for the tasting menu

Alameda

The picturesque town of Hondarribia serves as the setting for Alameda, a Michelin-star restaurant run by the same family for three generations. The Txapartegi brothers took over their grandparent’s business and have since transformed this humble tavern into one of the best fine dining spots in San Sebastián. Remaining close to their roots, they serve traditional Basque dishes but with an updated twist. Highlights include the truffle-stuffed scramble with mushrooms, the confit Baztan suckling pig and for dessert the spiced chocolate with dark beer and ginger. To pair with the meal, they offer an extensive selection of regional and international wines. Out of all the restaurants on this list, this is perhaps the most affordable option.

Number of Stars: One Michelin Star
Price Range: €70-€115 (price varies according to the à la carte or tasting menu format, you can include the wine pairing for an additional cost)

Zuberoa

Chef Hilario Arbelaitz is behind this gourmet restaurant located a few miles away from San Sebastián. Another family-run spot, Zuberoa occupies an old country house that is over 600 years. It has a rustic dining room with exposed stone walls, a terrace and two other areas for private events. The food combines traditional Basque flavours with a contemporary feel. Raw ingredients like octopus and cuttlefish are transformed into creative dishes that dazzle visitors with their presentation. Still, the atmosphere remains pretty laid back and the staff is always ready to give you a recommendation. Among the specialities are the roasted scallops, the steamed hake with pil-pil sauce, and the torrija(a dessert similar to French toast), served with apple and cinnamon ice cream.

Number of Stars: One Michelin Star
Price Range: €90-€154 (price varies according to the à la carte or tasting menu format, you can include the wine pairing for an additional cost)

Elkano

Located in the coastal town of Getaria, Elkanois among the best fish restaurants in the world. It has been delighting visitors with its fresh seafood dishes since its opening in 1964. The fish changes with the season, but one of the main specialities is the grilled turbot served with vegetables, all sourced locally. Pedro Arregui took over his mom’s grocery store and turned it into a bar. He added a grill outside and this became the star of the show. Today the restaurant is run by his son Aitor Arregui, who has kept this grilling tradition alive.

Number of Stars: One Michelin Star
Price Range: €75-€110