La Espiga: My favorite place, it really felt like home
Order: Tortillita with trufa
La Espiga feels like hanging out in the neighbor bar with friends and family, the service is fast, the Pintxos are really good. The wine selection is extensive, even by the glass. And they also have the claim to have started the pintxos in town. Get the Tortillita with truffles.
Opened in 1928. Luisa San Martín made the first banderillas here. The Castro family has run it for three generations. I was lucky to be introduced to some of the family through a friend, and they are just an amazing family. Three generations making pintxos and making sure that the quality is top-notch. Not only that, but the atmosphere is really good. If you notice the decoration, the floor resembles the same floor that you're gonna find in the streets of San Sebastian. There's wood on the roof of the bar that resembles a lot of trees from the Basque country, and the bar itself is made of the metal that you see in the harbor. And there's also the murals that you'll find in San Telmo Museum. So it really makes you continue being in San Sebastian while you're having some pintxos.
My recommendation is to always start with the cold ones, just look at what's available. The rollito de jamon is really good, and everything that has any sardine and their egg salads, but also ask for what they have in calientes. I have already told you about the tortillita with truffles, but they also do other tortillas, and they will also do pimentones fried, and croquetas. They also have an albondiga. Everything is good. There's nothing where you're gonna miss out.
The terrace is good for friends, but I always recommend squeezing into the bar. And you can also reserve. They have a basement with fancier tables and dinner service if you wanna try their good stuff. Opening all week with a reduced menu Sundays and Mondays. And they also kinda are available until late, so pretty easy option from 10 AM till 10 PM every day of the week.
I went with friends and family, but definitely recommended for everyone. The price feels right. Of course, if you order a lot of tapas and you go to the restaurant, it might be a little bit on the upper end of pintxos, but still totally worth it.
My favorite place, it really felt like home, and I'm really glad that I was able to also understand who's behind it, how Chema and his brother run this place and keep it tight and amazing.
Map and directions
What to order
Tortillita with trufa
Soft tortilla with truffle; start here.
Rollito de jamón
Cold pintxo of jamón rolled tight; grab it from the counter first.
Sardine pintxos
Whatever sardine they have out that day; always worth it.
Egg salads
Cold ensaladillas at the bar; easy with wine by the glass.
Pimentones fried
Hot fried peppers when you move to calientes.
Croquetas
Hot croquetas from the kitchen; ask what’s frying.
Albóndiga
Their meatball; order it with the other calientes.
If you're visiting La Espiga
- What should I order at La Espiga?
- Cold first: rollito de jamón, any sardine, the egg salads. Then the calientes, above all the truffle tortillita, plus croquetas, fried pimentones, other tortillas and the albóndiga.
- Do you need a reservation at La Espiga?
- Not to stand at the bar, which is where I'd be anyway. For a table, including the fancier basement dining room, call +34 943 421 423.
- What are La Espiga's opening hours?
- It opens every day of the week, from about 10 AM to 10 PM, with a reduced menu on Sundays and Mondays. Hours change, so check before you go.
- Is La Espiga expensive?
- Fair for what you get. A big order, or dinner in the basement restaurant, pushes it toward the pricier end for pintxos, and it's still worth it.
- Where is La Espiga in San Sebastián?
- San Martzial Kalea, 48, in the Centro of San Sebastián (Donostia), a short walk from the Parte Vieja.
Restaurant details
Sat, Sep 26, 2026
Centro, San Sebastián
Table reservations are by phone: +34 943 421 423. There is a basement with fancier tables and dinner service. I always recommend squeezing into the bar over the terrace.
By Christian Van Der Henst
More places to eat in San Sebastián: the CookFoodie San Sebastián guide