If you’re a foodie, you likely know that Michelin Restaurants in San Sebastian are a pretty bit deal.
It’s one of the reasons the city is must-visit destination, and helps set the gastronomy apart from the rest of Spain. Its food scene is an unrivaled collection of Michelin-starred eateries. In fact, it’s home to more restaurants with the prestigious ranking than nearly any other city in the world. If you have room in your budget, experiencing one of the top Michelin restaurants in San Sebastian is absolutely worth the splurge.
Here are our favorites.
The best Michelin restaurants in San Sebastian
Arzak
What started as a humble wine shop and bar back in 1897 is now one of the most iconic Michelin restaurants in San Sebastian. With four generations of culinary expertise under its belt, Arzak‘s revolutionary blend of tradition and innovation have earned it a whopping three stars—the highest ranking there is. Their market-fresh cuisine retains a traditional Basque spirit while incorporating avant-garde methods to create dishes you won’t find anywhere else.
Despite its international prestige, Arzak retains the friendly, hospitable feel that made it so popular in the first place—head chef Juan Mari Arzak is a regular presence out in the dining room, welcoming new guests and returning regulars with open arms. And, true to its roots as a bodega, the restaurant boasts one of San Sebastian’s most incredible wine selections: a wine cellar full of 100,000 bottles.
Akelarre
Tucked away in the lush greenery on the far side of Mount Igueldo, with stunning picture windows overlooking the sea, Akelarre will transport you to a world far from the hustle and bustle of the city center and Old Town. The intimate setting and gorgeous scenery provide the perfect place to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.
San Sebastian native-turned-renowned chef Pedro Subijana runs the show at Akelarre, where he’s worked for over four decades. He and his passionate team have revolutionized Basque haute cuisine, earning a prestigious three Michelin stars and dozens of other international accolades. Choose from one of three carefully selected tasting menus, which incorporate the restaurant’s classic dishes along with new, innovative favorites to keep things fresh.
Kokotxa
The city’s Old Town is easily the most popular among tourists—it provides easy access to most of the main sights, as well as plenty of dining options. While there are plenty of great eateries in the Old Town, one stands out above the rest: Kokotxa (pronounced “ko-ko-cha”), one of the finest Michelin restaurants in San Sebastian. A relatively new addition to the city’s prestigious culinary club, it remains somewhat of a hidden gem for the most part, though it’s starting to get the recognition it deserves.
An elegant yet unpretentious dining room with plenty of gorgeous natural light provides the perfect place to tuck into one of Kokotxa’s two exquisite tasting menus. Both feature locally sourced ingredients as much as possible—including fish caught just blocks away at San Sebastian’s harbor—and masterfully combine traditional Basque cooking methods with a touch of international flair. Its Michelin star is well deserved, and we wouldn’t be surprised if this lovely little spot were to earn even more in the future.
Alameda
The first cook at the Alameda restaurant believed that the shorter the distance between the source of the ingredients and the kitchen, the better. She must have been onto something, because more than 75 years later, her three grandsons have carried on her tradition, transforming the humble Hondarribia locale into one of the top Michelin restaurants in San Sebastian.
Located less than half an hour outside the city in a picturesque Basque village, Alameda takes homestyle cooking to a whole new level. Under the leadership of the Txapartegi brothers, the down-home cuisine from this charming corner of Gipuzkoa has earned international renown while remaining true to its traditional roots. The updated Basque culinary offerings keep things interesting, but everything comes from a place of simplicity and family tradition.
Amelia by Paulo Airaudo
Located on La Concha, the iconic beach and bay that acts as the open arms of San Sebastian to the world, Amelia by Paulo Airaudo is a Michelin two-star stunner and the ideal venue for chef Airaudo to display his skills. The tasting menu here offers a procession of dishes that wade into avant-garde New Basque cuisine while also paying homage to classical French technique and Nouvelle Cuisine, of which New Basque was born out of. If you like seafood, you’re in luck: a vast majority of what comes out of the kitchen originated in the sea just beyond La Concha.
Martín Berasategui
Chef Martín Berasategui has been in the kitchen and pleasing palates for more than half of a century. He also long ago wowed Michelin inspectors and has held three stars from the esteemed tire and restaurant guide company for as long as anyone can remember. In an unusual move for a three-star spot, the restaurant offers a hefty a la carte menu. Of course, if you want to go the traditional prix fixe/tasting menu route, there is that option as well.
Mugaritz
About 10 kilometers or 6.5 miles southeast from the beach in San Sebastian (or a 15-minute taxi ride) is Mugaritz, a Michelin two-starred restaurant run by famed chef Andoni Luis Aduriz. Since 1998, Mugaritz has been a showcase for elevated Basque fare, making the convincing argument that some of the world’s best dining can be found right here in northeastern Spain. It’s certainly worth the short journey out of town to dine here. For something a bit more casual, check out Aduriz’ other restaurant, Muka, located in the center of San Sebastian.
Elkano
Set on the coast in the village of Getaria about 25 kilometers or 15 miles west of San Sebastian (and a 25-minute car ride), Elkano may only have one star but if you ask a famous chef in the world where she or he would like to have their last meal and it’s often going to be Elkano. The famed grill restaurant began life a couple of generations ago as a small grocery shop, then a bar, and finally (and thank god!) a restaurant with a focus on grilling ultra-fresh seafood. The dishes here are relatively simple compared to San Sebastian’s other gastronomic temples, which is all the better: perfectly grilled turbot, hake, prawns, and other morsels from the sea will make you want to have your last meal here too.
Update Notice: This post was updatedon April 26, 2024.
Kinda useless, poor and lazy piece of an article… It’s not like there are hundreds of Michelin starred restaurants in San Sebastian, you could have easily included more, Amelia is very good and superior to some of the ones you’ve mentioned, also Ulìa, or Berasategui… You cannot define “top starred restaurants” such a thing doesn’t exist, either they have 1, 2 or 3 stars. Unless you are stating that your opinion on Michelin stars is worth more than the Michelin guide itself, you shouldn’t mention it. Either you write down an article on your personal preference without mentioning the guide, either you write something about all starred restaurants. It’s incorrect to say “the top Michelin restaurants” only Michelin can say which ones are “Michelin top restaurants”, that’s what the 1, 2 and 3 stars are for. But of course you “food writers”, critics wannabe don’t care, you just try to get the sympaty of some chefs, some free meals and who knows what else. Pathetic.
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Marco!