Gandarias is a restaurant in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. Rated 4.3 stars from 10161 Google reviews. Known for pintxos bar that doesn't compromise on ingredients and restaurant-quality mains if you want to sit. Best for pintxos crawl and solo dining at the bar. Ranked #4 of 6 in Parte Vieja. Price range: $$.
Rankings updated April 2026
Gandarias
Zone Ranking
Ranked weekly from live Google review data
in Parte Vieja
↑ Up 1 this week
Quick Verdict
Locals return. It's not famous because it's tourist-friendly — it's famous because the food and wine are genuinely good and the counter service moves fast enough that you'll eat well even when it's rammed.
You want to eat proper pintxos at the bar with wine or sidra, or sit down for a full meal without pretension.
About Gandarias
Gandarias works two ways. Stand at the bar and pick pintxos from the counter — sea urchin, foie gras, mushroom, shrimp — eat standing, move on, or settle at a table. Or sit down proper and order from the restaurant menu: roast suckling pig, T-bone steak, baked crab, cod. The pintxos bar is where locals txikiteo. The restaurant is where you linger. Reviewers praise the quality consistently — one called it "the best bar de pintxos" they'd tasted in a day spent eating across Donostia. The staff speak Spanish and Basque, patient with tourists who don't. The space is small, which means it fills fast and feels alive. Pintxos erizo (sea urchin) and zamburiñas (scallops) appear in multiple reviews as standouts. The Basque cheesecake divides opinion — one reviewer found it "a bit meh", another didn't mention it. What matters: the product is high quality, treated with care, and the team knows what they're doing.
What Stands Out
Pintxos bar that doesn't compromise on ingredients
Multiple reviewers specifically praised pintxos erizo (sea urchin) and zamburiñas (scallops) as "brutales" and standout dishes. One Italian reviewer noted "abbinamenti particolari" (unusual pairings) with fish and mushroom options. The sea urchin is distinctive enough that one reviewer noted it made them queasy — proof the ingredient is real and raw, not a gimmick.
Restaurant-quality mains if you want to sit
Reviewers who sat down ordered roast suckling pig ("excellent"), T-bone steak ("great"), baked crab ("excellent"), and cod — all praised without hedging. One reviewer contrasted the pintxos bar experience with the restaurant, noting "Excellent food both at the bar (tapas) and the main restaurant."
Staff who actually help you navigate the menu
"Personale gentile anche con chi non parla benissimo spagnolo" (staff kind even with people who don't speak Spanish well). Another review praised the team as "maravilloso. Muy cercano, amable, dispuesto a aconsejarte en todo momento" (wonderful, close, kind, ready to advise you at any moment).
What Customers Say
Si possono ordinare al bancone i pintxos e mangiarli in piedi o in qualche tavolo all’interno.
We struggled to arrive for the Pintxos Bar when it wasn't too busy but finally hit a time.
Excellent food both at the bar ( tapas ) and the main restaurant.
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Reservations
Reservations RecommendedContact
31 de Agosto Kalea, 23, 20003 Donostia / San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain
+34 943 42 63 62Visit WebsiteView MenuAmenities
Frequently Asked Questions about Gandarias
Yes. You stand at the counter, pick pintxos, eat, pay. But reviewers note it fills fast — one said "We struggled to arrive for the Pintxos Bar when it wasn't too busy." Go before noon or after 10pm to avoid the queue. No reservations taken for the bar side.
The bar is pintxos — small plates you pick and stand. The restaurant is sit-down service with mains like roast suckling pig, T-bone steak, and baked crab. One reviewer did both: "Another time we opted for the restaurant. The roast Sucking Pig was excellent as was the cod." Both use the same kitchen.
Pintxos erizo (sea urchin) and zamburiñas (scallops) appear in multiple reviews as standouts. One reviewer called the scallops "brutales." Foie gras is also mentioned as a recommendation. The bar displays them so you can see what's available.
Yes. Reviewers mention it fills by 8pm on a Saturday and standing room at the bar by 9pm. One noted "apenas hay sitio y eso agobia un poco" (hardly any space and that stresses you out a bit). Arrive early or book the restaurant side in advance.
Yes, for the restaurant side. The pintxos bar is first-come, first-served. The venue is closed Monday through Friday, open Saturday and Sunday only (based on hours listed).
Also in Parte Vieja
View all5 venues changed rank in Parte Vieja this week → See full zone ranking
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