San Sebastian Food Tour Review With Devour Tours

Thinking of doing a San Sebastian food tour, but not sure what to expect or which one to choose.

Recently, I joined the Devour food tour in San Sebastian. Usually, I’m a bit hesitant about food tours because I worry about missing out on options – I’m a vegetarian – but I knew San Sebastian was famous for its cuisine so I didn’t want to pass this opportunity by.

And you know what? It was a fantastic experience!

I didn’t feel I missed out on anything.

Of course, if you’re not limited by a dietary need, then you will have more options, but there were so many vegetarian choices that I actually struggled to finish everything we tried! 

In this guide, I’ll share my honest thoughts on what to expect from the Devour tour in San Sebastian and why I think you’ll love it.

Is It Worth Doing a Food Tour in San Sebastian, Spain?

Absolutely! 

Whether you’re in a group, a couple, or solo, joining one of the many San Sebastian food tours is a fantastic way to explore one of Europe’s top food destinations. 

The foodie scene is one of the main reasons to visit San Sebastian. Although the city is fairly small, it can be overwhelming with its countless food options, but a tour helps you dive right in. 

You’ll get to try a whole range of local dishes, each paired with local wine. The guides are locals who share the city’s history and culinary details, they’ll also share their insider knowledge about San Sebastian and tell you the best spots to visit. 

It’s a perfect way to discover exactly what to eat in San Sebastian and make the most of your time here.

I’ve partnered with Devour to bring you this travel guide. This article is based on the destination and experiences I took part in. All views and opinions are my own.

Reasons To Choose Devour San Sebastian Food Tours

Any quick web search will tell you that there are a lot of options for food tours in San Sebastian. So how do you choose?

Here’s why you should choose one of the food tours by Devour to discover the San Sebastian food scene:

• They’re top-rated, with over 150,000 happy guests since 2012! 
• The tours last about three hours and are kept small, with a maximum of eight people.
• You’ll eat your way through the most iconic bars in San Sebastian’s Old Town, tasting the essential pintxos you can’t miss. 
• The guides are passionate locals who make you fall in love with their city and its food.
• All tours are offered exclusively in English.

Still not convinced? Then read more Devour San Sebastian food tours reviews here.

Dietary Requirements on a San Sebastian Food Experience

As a vegetarian, I was spoilt for choice and loved everything I ate. 

Food in San Sebastian focuses heavily on seasonal produce. When I did this tour, a lot of the dishes I ate were based on artichokes and mushrooms. 

I asked our food tour guide about veggie options for pintxos in San Sebastian. She said, there were plenty of naturally vegetarian Spanish dishes – I wasn’t going to miss out on anything.

Typically, in a menu of 100 pintxos, about 40 will be veggie. And if you’re a pescatarian, there are even more options, as many of the pintxos are fish-based because San Sebastian is near the sea. 

However, this tour isn’t suitable for vegans. 

Make sure to state your dietary requirements when booking.

Can I Do a Self Guided Pintxos Tour in San Sebastian?

Yes!

You can easily hop from one bar to another based on local recommendations.

It’s a fun way to explore San Sebastian and discover its food scene. In fact, the way food is woven into everyday social life here is one of the most underrated reasons to go to Spain. Whether you’re with friends or going it alone, sharing a drink and a bite at the bar is completely normal — everyone’s welcome, no matter where you’re from.

However, the downside is that it might be a bit of a potluck in terms of what you get. You might not always find the best places or the most delicious pintxos on your own.

But if you love a bit of adventure and don’t mind some trial and error, it can be a great experience!

What Happens on the Devour San Sebastian Food Tour

The San Sebastian Pintxos Tour includes 8+ food tastings and 5 drinks in San Sebastian’s Old Town, enough to fill you up! 

You’ll taste why San Sebastian is a top destination for foodies, by trying  a selection of local dishes. You’ll squeeze into bars that locals have loved for generations, which can be hard to find on your own. 

Plus, you get to try the iconic burnt Basque cheesecake at the bar that invented it!

With insider tips from your local expert guide, you’ll know exactly where and what to eat during the rest of your trip.

San Sebastian Pintxos Tour Itinerary

The itinerary might differ slightly when you do your tour, but these are the San Sebastian restaurants and bars we visited.

1. Zaporejai

Although this family-run gem specialises in jamón, they also serve delicious cheeses and wines. 

While the meat eaters tried a selection of hams, the veggies tried the locally produced cheeses. 

My favorite was a smoked sheep milk cheese which is from the north region of Spain. 

Inside, the shelves are packed floor to ceiling with Basque and Spanish gourmet products – perfect for picking up some souvenirs. 

2. La Mejillonera

La Mejillonera, a traditional pintxos bar since 1974, is a local favourite in San Sebastian, with music like Bon Jovi, ABBA, and other cheesy classics being played.

There’s no seating, so you’ll be standing up while enjoying your food.

I had the delicious patatas bravas and Padron peppers, while others in our group tried the famous mussels.

Everything was paired with dry Basque cider. 

Here you’ll also try the art of pouring cider from a height – it’s a lot harder than it looks to get it in the glass. You’ll also learn about a tradition known as “txotx.”. 

3. Bar Sport

Bar Sport has been run by the same family for three generations, making it a beloved spot in San Sebastian. 

This place is famous for its house-marinated anchovies, which are said to be the best you’ll ever try. The meat eaters of the group had a skewer of these, as well as another pintxo – a crab-based dish, served within a crab shell.

Instead of these, I had the wild mushroom croquettes – which were made up of wild mushrooms and bechamel covered in breadcrumbs and then fried. I also enjoyed a pintxo with soft cheese, tomato, wild mushroom, and Padron pepper stacked on fresh bread. 

Both were exceptional! 

These were accompanied by Basque white wine, txakolina which is slightly fizzy and known locally as txakoli.

4. Sirimiri

Sirimiri is a modern-style pintxos bar known for its unique combination of gastronomy and cocktails.

The bar has plenty of seating and a cosy, ambient setting. I remember loving the wallpaper and interior here!

I had a delicious wild mushroom risotto with cheese, which was absolutely fantastic. The meat eaters tried the duck magret here.

To accompany my dish, I enjoyed a glass of red Tempranillo wine from the La Rioja region. 

Sirimiri would be a perfect place to come back for a date night!

5. Gandarias

This place is also famous for the Basque Country’s grilled steak. The meat eaters in our group tucked into a pintxo of solomio made from tender sirloin steak.

Instead, I enjoyed the grilled artichoke with a light oil and garlic dressing—another amazing dish, and one of the best pintxos I ate in San Sebastian.

Our dishes were accompanied by a glass of barrel-aged Navarra red wine. I’m a red wine drinker, and although I really liked the txacoli, the wine here particularly stood out.

6. La Vina

Our last stop was La Vina, a restaurant that’s been open since the 1950s, famous for its cheesecake. 

We got to try this delicious Basque country speciality, which was absolutely amazing. It was so good, that I actually came back here twice during my time in San Sebastian.

The cheesecake was perfectly creamy and rich. It’s baked on the outside, so has a slight skin, but is oozy and soft in the middle.

We paired it with a sweet Pedro Ximenez wine. 

This local dessert was the perfect way to end what I think is the best San Sebastian food tour. From the professional guides to the selection of foods and wine, every detail was thoughtfully planned to showcase the best of San Sebastian’s culinary scene.

I would 100% recomend doing this tour whether you’re a foodie, want to learn about the Basque cuisine, or simply just love eating. It was an excellent 3 hours well spent.

Food Tours in San Sebastian Spain FAQs

Thinking of Doing a San Sebastian Food and Wine Tour With Devour Tours?

The Devour San Sebastian Food and Wine Tour is an unforgettable experience. You’ll explore iconic bars, taste delicious pintxos, and learn about the city’s culinary history. 

With knowledgeable guides and a variety of mouth-watering dishes, it truly is the best food tour in San Sebastian. 

Ready to explore San Sebastian? Check out more travel tips and articles on Northern Spain to start planning your stay.

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