From foie gras mushrooms to zurito beer at Casa Senra, you’ll see why locals say bigger isn’t always better 😉
Follow our curated route through the city, admiring iconic historic structures that stand as relics of the “belle époque,” the boom that put San Sebastián on the map over a century ago.
Experience authentic txotx at Sidrería Beharri—where cider pours straight from the barrel! 🚰
Visit a local couple’s chic beer and wine shop, before taking part in a make-your-own-Gilda workshop: the pintxo that started it all.
End sweetly at Pastelería Otaegui, San Sebastian’s oldest bakery, tasting the original pantxineta recipe that locals have guarded jealously for over a century 🥮
Tour Description
San Sebastian’s reputation as the best food city in the world is deserved. On this walking food & wine tour, we’ll show you why.
In three hours, you’ll experience true Basque cuisine across two iconic neighborhoods: trendy Gros and the historic Old Town, where pintxos culture was born. Your local guide will introduce you to family-owned bars and world-renowned dining spots alike, each offering flavors that tell the story of Basque culinary heritage.
From perfectly paired Mosto spritz to the sweet finale of traditional pantxineta, every bite connects you to centuries of tradition. You’ll discover the sagardotegi (cider house) experience, master the art of txikiteo, and understand how locals perfected these flavors long before the world took notice.
Dietary Information
Vegetarian-friendly tours but vegan, gluten-free, or kosher options may be limited. Please share dietary restrictions upon booking for best accommodation. Note that tastings outside those catered for your needs are at your own risk. The company assumes no responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances. Guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate in this activity for their safety.
Why Eat with Us?
Expert Local Guides: Fun, knowledgeable, and English-fluent San Sebastián locals.
Milan’s Hidden Gems: Enjoy exclusive access to local favorites where you’re treated like family.
Culinary Diversity: Taste a variety of delicious dishes, and hear the stories behind the food.
Cultural Immersion: See San Sebastián through the eyes of a local.
Established Expertise: Europe’s best food tours, top-rated since 2011.
"I enjoyed every minute with our native San Sebastián guide Alaia! She introduced us to delicious dishes and drinks in wonderful venues that I would not have discovered on my own. Eating Europe is the best – don’t think twice, just book it and enjoy!
"
Grilled mushrooms with foie gras, aioli & crusty bread
Queso del País (creamy local cheese and quince paste)
Your choice of pintxo
Txuleta (grilled steak)
Gilda pintxo
Padrón peppers
Pantxineta (puff pastry with cream & toasted almonds)
Zurito (local draft beer)
Red wine, Tinto de Verano or Kalimotxo
Mosto Spritz
Cider
Water
Please note that the items above are a selection of the delicious foods we often feature. Offerings may vary by day or season, but you're sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors!
Meeting Point
De Biteri Plaza
Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Your guide will be waiting for you in front of the church, wearing our purple Eating Europe bag!
What Makes Gros and the Old Town Special
The Old Town — Parte Vieja — is the heart of San Sebastián’s legendary food culture. Its narrow streets are packed with pintxos bars where counters overflow with edible works of art — gildas, croquetas, bacalao skewers, and creations that blur the line between bar snack and haute cuisine. The ritual is sacred: wander bar to bar, point at what catches your eye, pair it with txakolí, and repeat. In a city with more Michelin stars per square metre than almost anywhere, the Old Town proves the best eating often happens standing up.
Gros, across the Urumea river, is where locals go when the Old Town feels too crowded. Its wide streets and surf-town energy centre around La Zurriola beach, and its food scene has quietly become one of the most exciting in the Basque Country. Modern pintxos bars push creative boundaries, asadores grill txuleta over open coals, and casual seafood spots serve the catch straight from the bay. Gros doesn’t need the spotlight — it just keeps cooking brilliantly and lets the food speak for itself.
What people are saying
5.0
★★★★★
I booked this tour with my family in mind, since they had never been to this region of Spain before and they really loved it. Our guide was fantastic, the other group members were fun to do the experience with and my family walked away raving about it. I personally love the history aspect of these as much as the food portion, but this is definitely focused on the food and drinks more (albeit there is still a little historical talk thrown in between stops). I love this region of Spain and I think this is the perfect activity to get your bearings and feet wet, while also eating some incredible food and getting ideas of where else to eat during your stay, especially if it is your first time coming to this area (or any area really).
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Elizabeth Erdelyi
31 Dec 2025
Absolutely loved this tour!Alaia was so knowledgeable and great company and we learned so much in our tour. The language,the culture and the cuisine!thoroughly enjoyed each stop on the tour which showcased the best of pinxto culture and local drinks. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Donostia San Sebastián
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Anne-Louise Toal
14 Dec 2025
Five stars? No. A whole constellation.
As a food tour guide myself, I show up on tours with a big, curious heart and a deep appreciation for anyone who truly knows their craft. And wow, Alaina from Eating Europe San Sebastián is the real deal. She’s passionate, eloquent, brilliantly educated on Basque culture, and still warm, friendly, funny, and completely authentic. She’s the kind of guide who makes you feel instantly welcomed yet still hits you with world class insight.
Every stop we visited was a revelation. The food and drink weren’t just good, they were generous, delicious, thoughtful, and absolutely unforgettable. This city’s culinary scene is enormous and beautifully complex, and Alaina guided us through it with finesse, joy, and absolute mastery. I learned so much I’m convinced my brain came home carrying its own tiny pintxo.
If you’re even thinking about booking this tour, stop. Just do it.
San Sebastián is a flavor wonderland, and Alaina is exactly who you want leading the way.
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Angela Johnson
06 Dec 2025
We had a wonderful time learning about and trying the local Basque cuisine. Our guide Alaia was very knowledgeable about the neighborhood and cuisine, and she even pointed out some extra places to shop for ingredients. We would highly recommend this tour to others!
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Megan Stasiak
28 Nov 2025
Delicious food and a lovely, knowledgable guide Had a lot of fun and so much great food on this tour. There was a good variety of dishes and drinks and I enjoyed everything. Alaia was a brilliant guide and I really appreciated the facts, recommendations and info she gave us which enhanced my experience in San Sebastián. Our group was about 8 people which was a nice size.
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Olivia D
26 Nov 2025
Amazing food tour with expert local guide! I enjoyed every minute with our native San Sebastián guide Alaia! She introduced us to delicious dishes and drinks in wonderful venues that I would not have discovered on my own. Eating Europe is the best - don't think twice, just book it and enjoy!
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jennylS93LL
23 Nov 2025
Tour full of food, drinks, and history - all done by a fabulous guide My husband and I love Eating Europe tours and this tour with Alaia in San Sebastian was no different. We had an awesome evening eating and drinking across town. We learned so much about the food we were trying, the history of San Sebastian, and Basque Country as a whole. Alaia was the perfect host, it felt like we were sightseeing with an old friend. We enjoyed all of our stops and took advantage of several of the recommendations Alaia sent us after the tour. 10/10 would recommend!
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Niccole M
19 Nov 2025
San Seb pintxcos tour Amazing tour with Iris. Great spots in Gros and Old town. Interesting introduction to concept of natural wines, really eye opening. Fantastic evening in San Sebastian
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Umang D
13 Nov 2025
Alliance was terrific! Excellent tour with a super fun host, Alaia who was friendly, informative and a local! She took us to 2 great places in Gros, then over to old town to finish our tour. Great group abd great guide.
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Kathy
12 Nov 2025
Donostian food and culture at its best Excellent tour, informative and tasty in equal measure. Alaia took us to places we wouldn’t have found by chance and arranged for some off menu treats to boot!
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Martin M
12 Nov 2025
Well worth it. Good experience well worth it if you’ve only got a day or two and need some help finding the local food and drink specialties. There’s a lot of food and drinks included.
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Beau C
12 Nov 2025
Our guide Aliaia was knowledgeable, engaging and passionate about Basque food culture. We tasted hot & cold pintos, and wine & cider and dessert and in between the food stops, introduction to Basque language, culture, cuisine and history. As we walked through the different neighbourhoods, Alaia also pointed out the architecture highlights.would highly recommend this tour.
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Zeqiao Chen
11 Nov 2025
Why Eat with Us?
#1 food and drink experience in Europe - 14 years. 500,000 Clients. 25,000 Five-Star Reviews!
Every tour is meticulously curated to showcase the very best of San Sebastian's food scene.
Exclusive access to the most legit local spots, from the famous hole in the wall to the trendy new restaurants.
Premium tours with expert guides, outstanding food, and drinks always included
Dining with Purpose
We proudly support World Central Kitchen. Every tour you book helps provide meals to communities in crisis.
Looking for a private food tour? Whether you’re visiting with a group or a local craving a unique day out, we’ve got you covered!
For more details or specific requests, reach out to [email protected] or call +1 917-909-6432.
Meet Your Local San Sebastian Tour Guides
Our San Sebastián food tours are led by people who grew up in the world's greatest food city and never take it for granted. Pintxos obsessives, txakolí pourers, asador regulars, and cooks who learned at their ama's side. They take you past the famous counters and into the bars, markets, and kitchens where donostiarras actually eat — because in a city this serious about food, the best discoveries are always the ones a local shows you.
Iri
I'm from Hondarribia, a beautiful coastal town just 20 km from San Sebastián, known for its colorful houses, charming old town, and deep sense of tradition.
My favorite typical dish: Croquetas
Climb Monte Urgull at sunset, the view is stunning and it’s usually quiet. The perfect way to see the city from above
Sam
I was born in Greece, now a proud San Sebastián local after more than 6 years of living here.
My favorite dish is Txuleta, cooked medium rare...no other way!
My tip: Rent a bike and head to Zurriola Beach, perfect for a morning surf session, then grab a coffee. Best way to start the day like a true Donostiarra!
Alaia
Basque–Mexican, I was lucky to spend every summer living with my grandmother in Gros, and swimming at Zurriola beach. Her love of food inspired me to study culinary arts at La Escuela de Luis Irizar in the Old Town (2011)
My favorite bite is the Matrimonio pintxo: the perfect union of salty anchovies and tangy white pickled boquerones.
For the food-motivated like myself, I recommend a trip to the markets. Whether it’s La Bretxa or San Martín, you’ll find a beautiful bounty of local products and maybe even be inspired to gather a few things for a spontaneous picnic.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Tour Information
Is a food tour in San Sebastian worth it?
Yes—100%. Donostia rewards insiders. Pintxo culture is fast, delicious, and wonderfully ritualized, but it can be confusing if you don’t know when to order, what to point at, or why the wine is poured from shoulder height. With a local host, you’ll glide through Old Town and Gros, tasting chef-made signatures and seasonal classics, each paired with txakoli or cider, while learning the etiquette that locals swear by. No tourist traps, no plate piling, just the best bars at the best times. It’s dinner, a masterclass in Basque culture, and a city orientation in one—premium, effortless, and worth it on night one.
What food is San Sebastian famous for?
Pintxos (the Basque cousin of tapas), line-caught anchovies, Idiazabal cheese, Atlantic cod, txuleta (Basque steak), cider, and crisp, lightly sparkling txakoli. From humble bars to Michelin temples, the city punches way above its weight.
What’s included in the price of the food tour?
All food and drinks, as well as your professional local guide are included in the price you pay for the tour. No hidden charges or upsells here.
How long are the tours?
Our San Sebastian tours range in length from 3 to 3.5 hours.
What neighborhoods or areas do the tours cover?
Each tour’s area can be found listed as its “location”, for example, Gros and Old Town!
What is the group size?
Our tours have maximum capacity of 12 guests. This ensures that our small groups are able to move unobtrusively through the neighborhoods we explore, respecting our surroundings and the locals that live in San Sebastian.
I’m traveling alone. Do you offer single tickets?
We love welcoming solo travelers! All of our tours are open to individual guests.
Food and Drink
What kind of food will we taste?
You will savor a variety of Basque and Spanish delicacies, discovering San Sebastián’s world-renowned gastronomic scene and pintxos culture. Offerings may vary by day or season, but you’re sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors!
Are drinks included?
Yes. All tours include drinks, and they’re always included in the price you pay.
Do the tours accommodate vegetarian or gluten-free diets?
Vegetarian-Friendly Tours but vegan, gluten-free, or kosher options may be limited. Please share dietary restrictions upon booking for best accommodation. Note that tastings outside those catered for your needs are at your own risk. The company assumes no responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances. Guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate in this activity for their safety.
For full details, guests should always refer to the specific tour page, as limitations may vary.
Are portions enough for a meal?
Yes. On each of our San Sebastian tours, you are guaranteed to eat at least the equivalent of a full meal.
Can I buy food or souvenirs at the stops?
Of course! If you would like to purchase something at one of the stops we make, you are welcome to do so yourself, or if you need assistance, you can ask your helpful guide.
Booking and Payment
How do I book?
Visit eatingeurope.com and click on the orange “Book Now” button: it’s simple as that! You will be able to choose your tour, date, time and number of guests before booking.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept major debit & credit card payments, iDEAL and Bancontact.
Are there discounts for children, students, or groups?
We offer discounts on tickets for adolescents and children, but unfortunately do not offer discounts on group bookings.
What is Eating Europe’s cancellation policy?
Small group tours can be cancelled and refunded up to 24 hours before tour departure. Private tours can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure. For full details, please see our cancelation policy page.
Accessibility & Safety
Are private tours suitable for all ages, including children or seniors?
We are committed to providing a great experience for all of our guests, so if you require a private tour to be suitable for children or seniors, please get in touch and we can create a bespoke experience for you.
Are the tours wheelchair/stroller accessible?
Please note that some of our tours involve areas with limited accessibility and are not wheelchair/stroller accessible. For assistance and alternative option, please contact us. We’re dedicated to providing a great experience for all our guests!
What should I wear?
There is no dress code on our tours, however it’s recommended to wear a good pair of shoes (these are walking tours, after all!) and be prepared for the elements, even though most of our stops are indoors.
Are tourists welcome in San Sebastian?
Yes. Donostiarras love their city and they’re proud to share it—especially over a good pintxo and a glass of txakoli. Join the early-evening paseo along La Concha, be respectful in bars (no shouting, no table hogging), and you’ll feel like part of the nightly ritual in no time.
Tour Experience & Expectations
Will the guide speak my language?
Our guides are all fluent in English, and of course speak Spanish and Basque as well. For requests for tours in other languages, please contact us.
Can I take photos during the tour?
Yes! You are welcome to take photos and videos of the food and scenery throughout your tour. If you would explicitly like to get photos of fellow guests or your guide, we kindly ask that you get their permission first.
Do I need to tip the guide?
Tips for our lovely guides are not required, but they are appreciated!
Will we visit the same places as other tours?
No. While some tours may have one or two stops which other groups visit (can’t help it if they’re popular!), Eating Europe are proud that the majority of stops on every San Sebastian tour are restaurants and vendors who work exclusively with us.
Do you offer private or custom tours?
We do! Please see the “Book a Private Tour” option or contact us, and we can arrange a private or custom San Sebastian tour to suit your specific needs.
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A tour can be cancelled with a full refund up to 24 hours before tour departure.
Private Tours
A private tour can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure
Gift Cards, Travel Vouchers & Flexi-Pass™
Gift cards, travel vouchers and Flexi-Pass™ are non-refundable.
LATE ARRIVALS AND NO SHOWS
Due to extremely strict time slots for entry into attractions and for food preparation, both in-person & virtual/online, we recommend you show up 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the tour or experience. Our group tours begin & depart precisely at the scheduled tour or experience start time. If you show up late or cannot find the meeting point, for any reason, refund requests are not honored per policy. If you are having a hard time arriving on time we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can do everything in our power to assist you with arriving at the meeting point at the scheduled time or reschedule to the next available tour.
CANCELLATION DUE TO PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES OR ILLNESS
Inside of 24 hours, your spot on the tour has been reserved exclusively for you. Since we are unable to fill your spot if you’re unable to attend for any reason (including transportation or illness), we do not offer refunds after that time. Please plan ahead so that you are able to join us and don’t miss out!
DISCOUNT CODES
Discount codes are valid for new bookings only. They are not eligible for pre-existing bookings and can not be applied retrospectively.
AMENDMENT POLICY
We would be happy to assist you with rescheduling your tour, free of charge, with any requests made more than 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of the tour. We reserve the right to charge an amendment fee should you request to reschedule within 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of your tour . Once again, this is subject to availability and price changes. In general, we only charge you for any additional costs that we incur such as tickets. We have no intention of profiting from disruptions to your vacation and will work with providers and suppliers to get this cost reduced to a minimum.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
From time to time, the terms of this policy may change at the Company’s discretion.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, you can contact us using the information below:
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