Ganadarias Review - San Sebastián, Spain

RestaurantsTravel

25 Jul

Our Rating: ★★★ | ££££ - Incredible Basque cuisine (How we rate restaurants)

If you’re in San Sebastián and want to experience both the buzz of pintxos culture and an unforgettable sit-down meal, Gandarias delivers on all fronts. It’s the best of both worlds: a standing-room-only bar packed with locals and tourists ordering bite-sized pintxos, and in an adjacent space, a calm dining room restaurant serving up some of the finest food we've had all year.

This review focuses on the Restaurant, which we think was the best meal we had the entire year! Especially for the price we paid.

The Setting

Tucked into the heart of the Old Town, Gandarias feels quintessentially Basque. The bar is hectic in the best way, with skewers of pintxos flying off the counter and the sound of chatter and clinking glasses in the air.

But walk a few steps further and you’ll find their dining room: white tablecloths, softly lit, and a lot more serene. It’s perfect if you’re after a longer, more relaxed meal.

What We Ate

Grilled scallops – Buttery, garlicky, and melt-in-the-mouth. A standout starter.
Turbot – Meaty, rich, and served with slivers of burnt garlic and golden potatoes. The sauce was deep and buttery, and the skin was crisp perfection.
Fillet steak – Tender and juicy, served with hand-cut chips and deeply smoky roasted peppers. One of the best steak dishes we’ve had in Spain.
Cheesecake by Rafa Gorrotxategi – A modern take on the Basque classic. It was enjoyable, but we found ourselves missing the gooey, traditional Basque cheesecake.
Rioja wine – Smooth, flavourful, and surprisingly affordable. A perfect pairing for everything on the table.

The Vibe & Service

Service was spot-on: attentive without being pushy, and timed just right.

Final Thoughts

This was one of our favourite meals of the year. The cooking is simple, but that’s the point. It’s fresh, precise, and deeply rooted in Basque tradition. For €110 total for two, including wine and dessert, it felt like an absolute steal.

An absolute must-visit if you’re in San Sebastián.