Any thoughts on the worthiness of the hassle to eat at Casa Julian in Tolosa vs the Txuleta at Urola or Nestor or somewhere else? I’d rather just stay in SB if there is a place close to Julian.
Glad you got to eat at both sections of Ganbara. Like I said, we’d never skip either, as they are very different feels, and the food is outstanding.
@G_Greenbaum I believe I am somewhat in the minority in that I don’t adore Casa Julian. They are too popular now to use only Galician beef - they can’t get enough - so have a number of different sources, not all of which are stellar. Another place to consider is https://laiaerretegia.com/ We have not been there yet, but our sources say the meat and setting are excellent. FWIW, the Txuleta at Ganbara is also very, very good.
A place I have not posted on before because it is brand new to me is called Etxemaite. We will be there in a few weeks and I will report back. It was recommended by the owner of Ganbara, who says the cooking is great, and the quality of the products outstanding. There isn’t a lot of info online, which is kind of a good thing.
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Sadly, only lunch when we are there and just can’t fit it in. Will probably just stick to SB. Thanks.
Yeah, lunch is The Meal most days at most serious restaurants there. I love it, but it does limit things.
I like both experiences at Ganbara. Amaiur is the best.
When I first went to Ganbara while studying in San Sebastian in 2003, you could always walk straight into Ganbara for pintxos. Its a little different today.
He’s an excellent cook, too.
SAN SEBASTIAN - DONOSTI MUST TRY
PARTE VIEJA (Old Town)
Must-Try Spots:
Bordaberi - ear, cheek, idiazabal risotto, rib skewer, ribeye 
San Telmo - blood sausage, razor clam, octopus, ear, foie, suckling pig
Bar Sport - txipi (local fish), txuleta burger, foie, sirloin pintxo
Casa Urola - scallops, mushrooms, pork jowl
Fermín Calbetón - beef croquette, cheesecake
Atari - octopus, sirloin, croquette
Sirimiri - low-temperature egg
Bells Bar - salt cod stew croquette
Casa Gandarias - sirloin, txuleta skewer, lamb skewer
Ganbara - wild mushrooms
Txalupa - lamb, salt cod tacos, cheesecake, french toast CLOSED
A Fuego Negro - Mackobe fish CLOSED
Juantxo - squid sandwich
La Mejillonera - patatas bravas, spicy squid
Bar Néstor - potato omelette, txuleta
Ormazabal - mixed sandwich
Tamboril -
Mendaur Berria - regional appetizer and oxtail
Gorriti Taberna -
Dessert & Pastries
La Viña - cheesecake
Pastelería Otategui - pantxineta (local pastry)
Pastelería Paries
Pastelería Leque
Helados Carlos Arriba - unique ice cream flavors
CENTRO (Center)
Maun - San Martín Market
Antonio Bar - crispy oxtail, langostino ravioli, omelette, seasonal mushrooms
Trattoria Da Filippo - upscale Italian
1985 Cantina Argentina - Argentine grill
Kai Sushi - idiazabal and scallop sushi
Bar Prontxio - vermouth bar with variety
GROS
Bar Desy - burger, pastrami, mushroom dish, patatas bravas
Geralds Bar - country pâté, white asparagus
Matalauva - Mugaritz R&D
Basqueland - bao buns, wontons
Bodega Donostiarra Gros - anchovies, Russian salad, txistorra
Bergara Bar -
Muka - Kursal by Andoni
Artean -
El Bombín - nigiri
La Mascarada -
ANTIGUO (Historic Area)
Cervecería del Antiguo - foie, mushroom, lamb, gilda (anchovy pintxo)
El Pescadito de la Bahía de Cádiz
Kapela Bar -
Damadá -
Suk Bar - burgers
PINTXO POTE (Happy Hour Circuit)
Txalota Gros - pintxo pote and comfort food. Beef ball, confit duck
Gaztelu Txiki - pintxo pote: burger beer
CASUAL DINNER
Topa Sukalderia
Gatxupa - Basque-Mexican fusion
Aldanondo - txuleta (traditional Basque menu)
La Txuletería de Gros - grilled txuleta
TOP RESTAURANTS (Fine Dining)
Narru
Galerna
Zelai Txiki
Akelarre
Etxebarri
Arzak
Mugaritz
Amelia
Berasategui
NEARBY (Surrounding Towns)
Casa Julián de Tolosa
Casa Nicolás Tolosa
Arrea!
Elkano Getaria
Txoko Getaria
PRE-GAME / DRINKS
Café Burunda
Arkaizpe
Museo del Whisky
Arraun
GIN & TONIC
La Gintonería Donostiarra
Côte
Pokhara
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Welcome to WB. Thank you for posting. Is this a personal list and what do the check marks mean?
Hello. Thank you. It is a personal list and the check mark means that I’ve tasted the spot and also a suggestion of what to order.