Award-winning tapas

The pintxo is one of the city’s great culinary claims to fame. Exploring the bars of Donostia/San Sebastián means stepping into a world where both the traditional and the contemporary creations that are the essence of Basque cuisine share the table.

Of all of them, the gilda stands out as probably the city’s most iconic pintxo. First served in the 1940s at the Casa Vallés bar, it combines olives, anchovies and chilli in a single bite. Its name refers to a character played by Rita Hayworth, because the pintxo was “green, salty and a bit spicy”. 

That’s why going out for pintxos in Donostia/San Sebastián isn’t just about eating: it’s a social and cultural experience that draws on the city’s own history and cinema. Each bar offers its own speciality, making every stop a unique discovery steeped in local tradition and creativity. A delicious way to get to know the city through its wonderful cuisine.