small-bites available at any of the local Pinxtos bars. Enter an establishment and you will find assorted foods laid out on the bar: Pinxtos, bocadillos (mini-sandwiches), and skewered meats, squid, prawns, frog, and chicken.
You can also order specialty foods such as braised beef cheeks, sauteed mushrooms with sea salt and olive oil served with an egg yolk, foie gras, and of course Iberian Ham — a must if you are traveling and dining in this region.
Start your adventure around 5:30 or 6pm. Go to the Plaza de la Constitucion, which serves as your center, and start exploring the narrow streets that are packed with bars and restaurants. Sample a dish or two at different pintxos bars and expect to eat standing up at the bar, although a few places do have tables. Be sure to enjoy the wine (which is wonderful); we mostly ordered the Riojas and were very happy. There is also txakoli a local wine that is slightly effervescent and poured into a glass from almost 12 or more inches above, and zuritos, 3-oz beer drafts. If you are in San Sebastian for a few days, you will want to try 2-3 places a night. Trust me, in this town its all about the food.
We were given a “Tapas/Pintxos” map by the owner of the Pension Belle Arts. Here is a list of their favorites. We were surprised that one of our favorites was not listed here – it is called Astelena and it is right on the corner of the Plaza de la Constitucion so it is an easy find. It was one of the most crowded places so this caught our attention right away.
With the map in hand, photographed as many places as I could find or that were open. Some places were more difficult to find than other and some were closed on the days we were there; or perhaps it was too early as can be expected in Spain. We loved every moment spent in Parte Vieja, and of course look forwarding to going back soon.
Bar Martinez
