Question
Where can I find the best coffee in San Sebastian?
Answer
Here’s our guide to the best coffee spots in SanSe, from trendy cafés to those beloved by locals.
We love a good cup o’ joe and we love talking about coffee, but THIS is not an easy question to answer. We were happy to dive into the café culture of San Sebastian to research and write this little blog post. But it wasn’t easy! Many café solos were ordered and we visited damn near every coffee joint in town.
The problem with this question, and this post, lies in its very personal nature. Good coffee for one person might be completely different for another. I once had a 20 minute chat with a guest about his favorite ice coffee and how impossible it get it in Europe.
When it comes to coffee in San Sebastián, this city has something to satisfy every java lover. From newer spots with serious baristas to old school neighborhood classics. But serious coffee is a relatively new thing why casual “Spanish” spots prevail.
Cafe San Sebastian
Now, when most people ask us for coffee recommendations, we assume that they are serious java junkies. We’re talking pour overs, cold brews, ristrettos, single origin espresso, nitro, flat this and that….you get the type.
But some clients just want to know what “local” coffee culture is like. And by local, in this case, I’m talking grandparents and regular folks. We’re in agreeance, that the best and most authentic coffee shop experience you can get in San Sebastián and the Basque Country is going to come from an old school cafe or pintxo bar. Look for a rustic woody bar with a lot of blue hair, a beat up old espresso machine and barista who looks like a walking hangover. It’s about the experience and you came all this way for what, the same coffee you can get at home? Well, there’s no Intelligentsia here (but there is sadly one Starbucks in the Barrio Centro). While a local bar might be no frills and they sure as hell aren’t going to do an Aeropress, but damn they can make a mean café.
How to Order Coffee Like a Basque (or Spanish)
Ordering café should be fun and it’s a great opportunity to practice your language skills. While most barpeple have an ear for English we encourage you to branch out and speak like a native. Here’s your most basic orders in Euskara (Basque Language), Spanish and English.
KAFE HUTZA = CAFÉ SOLO = ESPRESSO
EBAKI = CORTADO = MACHIATO (bit of milk on an espresso)
KAFE-ESNE-AREKIN = CAFÉ CON LECHE = CAFÉ AU LAIT (steamed milk folded into espresso)
AMERIKANO = AMERCIANO = ESPRESSO WITH HOT WATER (let’s rename this an EU Drip)
I should stress that ordering any of the above is Basque wins you brownie points. Magical things happen when you try and speak the language and a bartender will certainly appreciate the effort!
Wanna take your Basque learning to the next level? Goazen (Let’s Go)! Check out my friend Esther’s classes or her super fun instagram at Basque With Esther.
How to Spot a Classic Café in San Sebastian
There’s something special about the traditional old bars in San Sebastián, where time seems to stand still. These places might only serve simple offerings like café solo, cortado, or con leche, but the ambience is unbeatable. Rub elbows with the locals and soak in the genuine Basque charm.
Some classic examples include:
Tanger Taberna
https://maps.app.goo.gl/quM1JD3uZ5TkiTzv6
Nothing Moroccan about it, this old school pintxo taberna makes a strong kortado. Great ambience!Gorriti Taberna
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7RWkQ89swkqf7dnv7
The unofficial market bar, offering good, honest pintxos and pours. Huge collection of vermouth and when Xabi is on barista you’re in for a treat. Classic Basque coffee.Mesón Martín
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EBtURBmG5cWrypbu5
A classic with an older vibe. Very good pintxos, comedor in the back, no frills but solid coffee. Think they’re featuring Baque roasters. Always good for a caldo too.Picachilla
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iBAnUKuN9MeiAT8n7
Like an old cozy pub with some food, drinks, a barista. Good place for football too.Donibane
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RewJtwLb4iXWuGnE7
Mostly outdoor seating, strong coffee and good food–some old world (Spanish) bites! Much loved.
A Brief [& Recent] History of Coffee in San Sebastián
For the longest time, the fine people of San Sebastián were taking coffee for granted and trusting their local bars to do their thing. Several industrial regional brewers (typical in Spain) were taking care of the beans and rushing to ink a deal with tabernas. Local brands like BAQUE, PANCHITO, AITONA, FORTALEZA were and are still common. Neslte was in on the game too of course. Some of my favorite regional roasters were CASA del CAFE and BRASILIENA from Vitoria-Gasteiz.
In that mix, there was always the tiny and cute Cafés Angiozar on Peña y Goñi street in Barrio Gros. They’re still going, roasting and selling direct to the public out of their old school shop.
Caffé Terzi opened up about ten years ago in Antiguo before relocating to the Tabakalera. These three brothers trained in Milan and feature an authentic Italian coffee with perfect roast beans imported from the motherland. Sakona also entered the field and ran a shop by the river featuring their own, freshly roasted beans. The city started to wake up.
Sakona closed their doors to the public and focused on the art of roast around the time some chaps from South America arrived to open Old Town Coffee. Not only were these dudes killer baristas, they were roasting and distributing beans. Originally located in Mercado San Martin they opened an adorable little shop on Reyes Catolicos (see below).
BB Kafe in Antiguo and Maiatza in the Old Town. But it felt like things really changed when the gang at Simona started to wow people in Barrio Gros, first at their old bar and most recently in the old Sakona space by the Kursaal.
And then there’s all the “pop up” takeaway joints that suddenly grew like mushrooms this past year, yeah we’re talking about you Motx and the the far less interesting Spanish SYRA chain. FAM KAFE was arguably one of the first takeaway only spots in the city–and they’re still going! A tip of the hat to Motx for featuring Old Town and Sakona beans.
By the way, if you are digging this history lesson we experts at dishing out all of the secrets to San Sebastian. Sign up for one of our Walking Food Tours.
The Expat Influence: The American Invasion
San Sebastián’s café scene has been greatly influenced by expats from Central and South America. Their passion for high-quality and innovation brought a fresh and exciting dimension to the city’s café culture.
The team behind Simon Specialty Coffee are Mexican. Old Town are from South America. Without question these were two of the more innovative coffee shops in town.
But it’s not just these baristas, American Tourists have also changed the game considerably. As the volume of American toursists increases, the more you see take away culture. Prior to Covid next to NO ONE took café “to go”. It was actually quite difficult to find a bar or cafe with paper cups even! But now it is commonplace and it seems like a new take away cafe opens each week.
San Sebastian’s Best Baristas
If you’re serious about your coffee, San Sebastián won’t disappoint. The scene in the city is growing, with cafés offering everything from artisanal roasts to cold brews and a menu international menus featuring terminology from San Francico to Denmark to Australia.
We’re not here to play favorites or give out awards so we are going to present this list of our favorite coffee spots in no particular order. Ready? Grab a mug of the good stuff and let’s go!
The Best Coffee Spots to Kickstart Your Day or Afternoon
•Old Town Coffee
Old Town Coffee: Enjoy casual vibes, amazing quality pours, and equally amazing avocado toast for breakfast. Bring home a bag of roast beans and enjoy one of the best coffee shops in one the best locations behind Buen Pastor Cathedral.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fo1YDjoXhAUpZjGv6
•MAIATZA
Perfect for breakfast, Spanish ham on toast, carrot cake, sweet pastries, fresh juice, and a cozy atmosphere. Love the location in the Old Town and right next to San Vicente Church–the oldest building in San Sebastian. A second Maiatza (Delices Maiatza) is located in the city center featuring more cake and goodies!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JFDn1MdXry3TZvmBA
Terzi
Delicious coffee. I’m addicted to their single origins (including quality robusta at times) and their simple filtered is bomb. A truly authentic coffee shop, brought to you by three Basque brothers trained under the namesake Milanese master roaster. They have a few sweet nibbles and tea, but overall this is a temple of Italian cups.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sc3yvndMFqcg6buR9
•Simona Specialty Coffee Club:
Specialty coffee is part of their name and yes, here you will find more unusual preparations of Simona’s amazing coffee here. Definitely the best in the Gros Neighborhood for real afficionados plus, amazing location by teh Kursaal with views of the river. Keep one eye on the prices and another on the avocado toast while enjoying a cold brew!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rT4Afkx5ion8DKeKA
Somos – Coffee & Bakery
Gotta give a shout out to Somos over in Barrio Antiguo. I’m a sucker for their incredibly yummy cakes and pastries and hey that is GOOD brew! A great little bakery and coffee shop.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GERjvwi4UaDZXh9W8
Xauen Café
Xauen are the new kids on the block and they aim to please with premium great coffee and some mean eats to go with. Their location is the perfect place, right in front of Buen Pastor Cathedral. Be a trailblazer go now before the tourists come!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/asbHjo8TKJwwnPtx8
Honorable Mentions
Botanika
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g2uihSckkqdLMEE9A
Gorgeous setting, super for brunch or lunch. For me it’s all about that garden!BB KAFE
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cfHj2YFB6iC9UHsD9
Solid baristas just a wee bit off the beaten path in Antiguo. They’ve have been in the game for a long time. Good food too.Koh Tao
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Aa4HtE3ahR6KP3u5
A beloved place good for breakfast toasts or croissants, tasty brew and cool 90’s San Francisco vibes. Cocktails and an oddly great green Mahou on draft.
Conclusion: Coffee Lover’s Paradise
San Sebastián is a coffee lover’s paradise. With a vibrant culture, unique coffee shops, and a blend of traditional and modern influences, there’s something here for everyone. The city offers countless opportunities to enjoy a great cup of coffee, soak in the atmosphere, and savor the flavors of the Basque Country.
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just looking for your next caffeine fix, San Sebastián is brewing it up for you.
