Merluza a la donostiarra. Especialidad de Juanito Kojua
1 / 10

Juanito Kojua

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A venerable institution in San Sebastian's old town, serving creative takes on traditional Basque seafood and grilled meats with decades of loyal patr...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Merluza a la donostiarra. Especialidad de Juanito Kojua

Juanito Kojua

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A venerable institution in San Sebastian's old town, serving creative takes on traditional Basque seafood and grilled meats with decades of loyal patronage.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Experience traditional Basque cuisine at its best in a warm, intimate atmosphere."

TIP

Weekday Lunch for Quiet

Visit on a weekday for lunch to enjoy a quieter dining experience with a more intimate atmosphere.

Pre-order Seasonal Delicacies

Consider pre-ordering seasonal delicacies like angulas (elvers) during winter months for a special treat.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 7:30PM

Cuisine

Basque

Price

$$$

Phone

+34 943 42 01 80

Address

Portu Kalea, 14, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Traditional Basque Seafood

Traditional Basque Seafood

Experience the authentic taste of Basque Country with their renowned fresh fish and shellfish, prepared using robust, traditional recipes.

7 Places to Eat in San Sebastian, Spain10 Best Local Restaurants in San Sebastian - Where to Find San Sebastian’s Best Local Food?
Cozy & Intimate Atmosphere

Cozy & Intimate Atmosphere

Dine in a warm, rustic, and intimate setting, perfect for a quiet and pleasant meal, especially during weekday lunches.

Google Review
Exceptional Seasonal Dishes

Exceptional Seasonal Dishes

Savor unique seasonal offerings like white asparagus, mushrooms with egg, and angulas (elvers) when in season.

7 Places to Eat in San Sebastian, SpainGoogle Review
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Descubre la carta de pintxos del último local que ha abierto en la parte vieja de San Sebastian este Noviembre de 2024 y que se llama LA BARRA DE KOJUA en homenaje al mitico JUANITO KOJUA que es el restaurante mas antiguo de la parte vieja donostiarra abierto ininterrupidamnte desde 1947. ¡Otro lugar verdaderamente “precioso y muy rico” del Grupo Garrancho! . #pintxos #donosti #donostia #sansebast...
@donostiando
60 likes • 6.7K views

Weekday Lunch for Quiet

Visit on a weekday for lunch to enjoy a quieter dining experience with a more intimate atmosphere.

Pre-order Seasonal Delicacies

Consider pre-ordering seasonal delicacies like angulas (elvers) during winter months for a special treat.

Un auténtico arca de Noe de la cocina tradicional vasca en pleno corazón de la parte vieja de San Sebastian 👉🏻 El Juanito Kojua 👌🏻😉 . #sansebastian #donosti #donostia #cocinavasca #juanitokojua #paisvasco
@donostiando
13 likes • 1.7K views
#Juanito Kojua#sansebastian #paisvasco #España #fly #parati #santacruzdelasierra🇳🇬 #Bolivia #2023 #@xabier Azkargorta
@aracelysaucedo89
7 likes • 556 views

Daily Menu Value

Opt for the daily menu to sample a variety of tasty starters and mains at a good value.

Pair Dessert with Port

Pair your dessert with a glass of port wine for a delightful combination, especially with their cheesecake.

LA BARRA DE KOJUA — San Sebastián 🍷 Un descubrimiento reciente que ya entra directo a nuestra lista de imprescindibles. En pleno corazón de la Parte Vieja donostiarra, este local es el hermano pequeño del mítico restaurante Kojua, con años de tradición vasca a sus espaldas. Aquí la apuesta es clara: pintxos elaborados, con producto de 10 y presentaciones cuidadas, pero manteniendo una relación cal...
@duomichelin
94 likes • 6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Weekday Lunch for Quiet

Visit on a weekday for lunch to enjoy a quieter dining experience with a more intimate atmosphere.

Pre-order Seasonal Delicacies

Consider pre-ordering seasonal delicacies like angulas (elvers) during winter months for a special treat.

Daily Menu Value

Opt for the daily menu to sample a variety of tasty starters and mains at a good value.

Pair Dessert with Port

Pair your dessert with a glass of port wine for a delightful combination, especially with their cheesecake.

Expect Quality, Higher Prices

Be prepared for higher prices, but expect top-notch quality ingredients and well-prepared dishes.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Juanito Kojua is celebrated for its traditional Basque cuisine, particularly its fresh seafood and grilled meats, served in a cozy, rustic atmosphere. While many praise the quality of ingredients and preparation, some reviews note issues with food temperature or preparation inconsistencies. Service is generally friendly, though occasional language barriers exist. Despite not holding a Michelin star, it's considered a high-quality dining experience for those seeking authentic local flavors.

"Traditional, produce-focused, basque cuisine at its best at this venerable place in San Sebastian’s old part that has definitely passed the test of time. Traditional decor and ambiance complemented by friendly service. They were very accommodating and we were able to pre-order angulas (elvers) while in season (winter), which were perfectly cooked to highlight their texture and delicate flavours."

Antonio Sanchez

"Everything was perfect for us!
First, since we went on a weekday in February for lunch, right when they open, we practially had "private dining", which in this restaurant already creates such an amazing atmosphere.
Second, the service staff is well educated in their craft and gives just the right amount of attention to the guests. This adds to the experience of being comfortably pampered while enjoying some great food.
We took the daily menu, with croquettes and jambon with bean pods as a starter. This perfectly set the stage for some smooth-tasting mains -- the cod in vizcaina souce and the beef cheeks. Both cooked to perfection, in taste and texture.
To finish our meal we took the cheese cake and the sheep's milk "yogurt". Again just perfect.
What a great start into a sunny spring-like afternoon in San Sebastian."

Mario J Aigner

"A friendly and charming restaurant serving traditional dishes that are typical of the region. The cheese for dessert was lovely when paired with some port. And the Gilda tuna / anchovies was very special - a great spin on a classic."

Mez Pahlan

What People Like

Authentic Basque seafood and grilled meats
Cozy and traditional atmosphere
Excellent quality ingredients

What People Dislike

Occasional food temperature/preparation issues
Language barrier with some staff

Frequently Asked Questions

Juanito Kojua specializes in traditional Basque cuisine, with a focus on fresh seafood and grilled meats.

7 Places to Eat in San Sebastian, Spain10 Best Local Restaurants in San Sebastian - Where to Find San Sebastian’s Best Local Food?

Despite its reputation for excellent food, Juanito Kojua does not currently hold any Michelin stars.

7 Places to Eat in San Sebastian, SpainGoogle Review

The restaurant offers a warm, rustic, and intimate atmosphere, ideal for a pleasant and quiet dining experience.

7 Places to Eat in San Sebastian, SpainGoogle Review

Yes, Juanito Kojua offers unique seasonal dishes like white asparagus, mushrooms with egg, and angulas (elvers) during winter.

Google Review

Given its popularity and intimate setting, reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dining.

Google Review

The restaurant is generally open for lunch and dinner, with hours typically from 1:00-3:30 PM and 8:00-11:00 PM.

Best restaurants for a special dinner in San Sebastian

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Frommers

7 Places to Eat in San Sebastian, Spain

Most Spaniards would consider Juan Iturralde of Juanito Kojua (Puerto 14; tel. 34/94/342-01-80; www.juanitokojua.com) as the third pillar of San Sebastian's gastronomic culture. Though Michelin stardom has somehow escaped this snug seafood restaurant in Old Town, with its unpretentious 1950s-vintage pine-paneled decor, it's famous throughout Spain for the reliable excellence of its fresh fish and shellfish, prepared with robust Basque recipes.

Visit Source →
Spain Guides

Best San Sebastian Gastronomy - Basque Country Cuisine

The Restaurant Juanito Kojua is situated in the old part of San Sebastian and has been warmly decorated in a rustic style. Reportedly the oldest restaurant in San Sebastian it is undoubtedly one of the most consolidated gastronomic establishments in San Sebastian. It is efficiently managed by a family that over the years has earned a loyal and fixed client base.

Visit Source →
hoteles.com

10 Best Local Restaurants in San Sebastian - Where to Find San Sebastian’s Best Local Food?

Juanito Kojua is a renowned fine-dining seafood spot in the Old Quarter of San Sebastian. The restaurant started in 1947 as a modest meeting place for local fishermen. It has persisted – and improved – over the decades because it still serves the original dishes that made it famous: fresh fish and shellfish prepared in the traditional Basque style.

Visit Source →
Cooktour

Best restaurants for a special dinner in San Sebastian

Monday: 1:00 – 3:30 PM, 8:00 – 11:00 PM, Tuesday: 1:00 – 3:30 PM, 8:00 – 11:00 PM, Wednesday: 1:00 – 3:30 PM, 8:00 – 11:00 PM, Thursday: 1:00 – 3:30 PM, 8:00 – 11:00 PM, Friday: 1:00 – 3:30 PM, 8:00 – 11:00 PM, Saturday: 1:00 – 3:30 PM, 8:00 – 11:00 PM, Sunday: 1:00 – 3:30 PM

Visit Source →
All PYRENEES · France, Spain, Andorra

San Sebastián - Spanish royal resort

Visit Source →