Astelena
A premier destination for modern Basque dining, Astelena 1997 showcases seasonal ingredients with impeccable technique in an elegant setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Astelena
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A premier destination for modern Basque dining, Astelena 1997 showcases seasonal ingredients with impeccable technique in an elegant setting.
"Up there with one of our best meals ever. Amazing food and 5-star service."
Try Recommended Dishes
Opt for recommended dishes like Hake and Scallops or French toast for dessert for a delightful experience.
Tasting Menu Value
The tasting menu offers great value and a journey through Basque flavors, often praised by diners.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Basque
Price
$$$
Phone
+34 943 42 58 67
Address
Euskal Herria Kalea, 3, 20003 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Website
restauranteastelena.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Elevated Basque Cuisine
Experience traditional Basque dishes with impeccable technique and seasonal ingredients. A true culinary journey.
Signature Hake and Seafood
From classic hake pie to succulent scallops, enjoy fresh seafood prepared with passion and exquisite taste.
Seasonal Vegetable Delights
Discover dishes that highlight the freshest seasonal vegetables, making them the star of the plate.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try Recommended Dishes
Opt for recommended dishes like Hake and Scallops or French toast for dessert for a delightful experience.
Tasting Menu Value
The tasting menu offers great value and a journey through Basque flavors, often praised by diners.
Pintxos Exploration
Start with the house specialty fish cake or codfish dishes when exploring pintxos at Bar Astelena.
Dinner Reservations
Dinner service starts late, around 9:30 PM, but the lively streets make it an enjoyable experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try Recommended Dishes
Opt for recommended dishes like Hake and Scallops or French toast for dessert for a delightful experience.
Tasting Menu Value
The tasting menu offers great value and a journey through Basque flavors, often praised by diners.
Pintxos Exploration
Start with the house specialty fish cake or codfish dishes when exploring pintxos at Bar Astelena.
Dinner Reservations
Dinner service starts late, around 9:30 PM, but the lively streets make it an enjoyable experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Astelena offers an exceptional dining experience with elevated Basque cuisine, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients and impeccable technique. Diners rave about the tasting menu, particularly seafood dishes like hake and scallops, and comforting desserts. The ambiance is elegant and sophisticated, complemented by professional yet friendly service, making it a memorable culinary journey.
"We did the tasting menu and loved every dish except one, which was cod in a pea puree. We both thought it was rather bland. However, the rest more than made to for it. The beef cheeks were tender and delicious. The dessert was one of the most delicious I've had."
Michael Gronert
"Ode to Traditional Basque Cuisine
Since the summer, I hadn’t been to Astelena, and once again we left amazed as usual.
We started with the classic hake pie, a dish that takes me back to my childhood and is a must every time I go. Next, we had Hongos with egg yolk, which were very flavorful and had an excellently achieved texture.
For the main course, we chose Txuleta with "traffic light" (peppers, French fries, and lettuce). Jokin, the head chef, told me he personally prepared it, as we usually have long and in-depth recipe conversations — and honestly, it was spectacular how he made it and how good it tasted. It'll be hard to find anything that compares.
Finally, we finished with a torrija and a cheesecake, both of which were delicious. I’ll be back in the summer for the Txipirones Pelayo, which are out of this world the way they make them."
Borja Errandonea
"I loved this meal! It was one of the best meals I had on my trip to Spain so far. The waitress we had was very nice. The food was superb! My favorite dish there was the rice with squid or the scallops! My daughter loved it there and so did my husband. The food was worth every penny! 10/10!!!!!"
Tanya Meillier
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Astelena specializes in modern Basque cuisine, with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and impeccable culinary techniques.
Yes, the tasting menu is highly recommended by many diners, offering a great value and a comprehensive culinary journey.
Popular dishes include the classic hake pie, scallops, beef cheeks, and seasonal vegetable creations. The French toast for dessert is also a standout.
The restaurant has a modern, elegant, and sophisticated atmosphere, suggesting smart casual attire.
Dinner service typically starts late, around 9:30 PM. Reservations are advisable, especially for popular times.
While the focus is on seasonal vegetables, it's best to inquire directly about specific vegetarian or vegan accommodations when booking.
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The narrow stone rooms of a defunct banana warehouse are now one of the finest spots for modern Basque dining. There's an affordable weekend tasting menu that hinges on what's in season, though dishes like seared txuleton and hake in white wine sauce with clams never come off the menu for a reason.
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Bar Astelena (not to be confused with a restaurant of the same name) is one of the bars that Bourdain visits during his first trip to San Sebastián when he goes on a meandering tour of spots offering pintxos, the Basque form of tapas. Here, he tries the house specialty of pastel de pescado (fish cake) as well as codfish with onion and peppers. While this doesn’t sound like much, it’s part of Tony’s education in the Basque tradition of eating “a little bit, often” and only eating the best pintxos that each bar has to offer.
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His restaurant, Astelena, is named after their former pintxo bar, and from the kitchen he serves up traditional Basque dishes elevated by impeccable technique. This is a great spot to get seasonal vegetables you can’t find elsewhere, from artichokes to peas to cardoons. Start with the hake pate, a mousse-like family recipe that is a legend around these parts.
Eating in San Sebastián - Donostia
The restaurant Astelena 1997 offers a menu full of seasonal foods such as grilled mushrooms with egg yolk. It's an elegant establishment with a large wine cellar and special menus for work and for groups. We recommend the battered monkfish with peppers and garlic mayonnaise.
Best restaurants for a special dinner in San Sebastian
Monday: Closed, Tuesday: 1:30 – 3:00 PM, 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM, Wednesday: 1:30 – 3:00 PM, Thursday: 1:30 – 3:00 PM, 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM, Friday: 1:30 – 3:00 PM, 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM, Saturday: 1:30 – 3:00 PM, 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM, Sunday: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Beaches and Pintxos in San Sebastián
It had a fancier vibe but had the same seasonal fresh food we’ve become accustomed to in San Sebastian. Know that it is normal here to eat dinner at 9:30 at night!. The streets are still so lively and fun after dinner.
Explore must-visit restaurants in San Sebastián Spain
Spanish celebrity chef Ander González is the man behind Astelena. According to Sandra, this is the place to sample Basque cuisine, but with white tablecloths and steep prices. Adress: Euskal Herria Kalea, 3
San Sebastian, Spain | 3 Restaurants for the Hungry Traveler – Tourist2Local
They are one of the few spots in town that give seasonal veggies their due, making them the star of the plate instead of an obligatory menu castoff. Cardoons, artichokes, peppers…delicious
The best restaurants in San Sebastian
Bar Astelena: Start here with a lovely plate of ham and continue your culinary quest with ham croquets and risotto. Top of the bill is the gorgeous pulpo (octopus).
Adventure & Food Guide to San Sebastian Beach
In the Old Town, go to Goiz Argui (known for their shrimp), El Tamboril, Txepela, Astelena, La Cepa, La Viña and Casa Vergara.
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