Discover San Sebastián — Local services in San Sebastián

We (Australian male and female) did a food tour in San Sebastian with the tour company Discover San Sebastian. Well worth your time and money.

The Old Town in San Sebastian is a great place for pinchos with about 300 bars competing for your attention,. To be honest the range of choice is bewildering. Our tour guide Erskene cut through all of that and took us to some fantastic places which we would've only found through a lot of trial and error - or not at all.

And not only did we visit 5 great places across the Old Town but we had the best food choices in those places. Erskene checked the group's food tastes and allergies at the very beginning of the night and, such is her local knowledge, she tailored the tour and our walking route to suit the group.

And to add to the deal Erskene insists in each place that they prepare the food fresh for us. Usually pinchos is premade but not on this tour. Sometimes the food choices are only avaialble to her tour and so are truly unique. You also get a choice of drinks to accompany the food as well.

And of course Erskene spoke fluent, clear English the whole night. The tour is all about the food but Erskene also provides a great insight into Spanish and Basque culture and language which was great for a couple like us with few Spanish skills. By the end of the night we called Erskene the unofficial mayor of the Old Town.

By the end of the tour (about 3 hours) we were very satisfied with the amount and quality of food and drink but also had recommendations for other places to try in coming days.

I can't think of a single thing to improve Erskene's tours. No wonder Erskene and her tour experiences are...

My wife and I typically do walking tours on the first day of travel to a new location. We like to get immediately immersed and oriented. We’ve likely done 10-plus walking tours in various countries and this was unquestionably our favorite.

The uniqueness of the pintxo food/wine experience is a big part of the reason but mainly it was due to the very best tour guide we’ve ever had. With literally hundreds of pintxos to choose from, it can feel bewildering to select destinations. We wanted a “local” to understand our preferences and guide us to the bars we would love.

Eskerne (Esky), our guide, was simply fantastic. She is a true professional who takes great pride in her work. She knows everything! about San Sebastian and the Basque Country (was born/raised there, she worked in the municipal government years ago, is a culinary connoisseur). She is deeply connected to the local community on a personal level; as you walk the streets, inevitably every so often someone will know her and say hi.

She strives to get to know you too; in particular, your food interests and preferences, so she can customize which pintxos to enjoy. The Foie Gras at Bar Narrika…OMG!!!! That was just one of roughly 10 different pintxos dishes we enjoyed.

She provided insightful historical perspectives, is an excellent communicator (came to the states to learn English and speaks it very well), provided great information for the remainder of our visit, and overall was just delightful, personable, knowledgeable and professional.

If you’re searching for the right walking tour in San Sebastián, stop right now...

Review of San Sebastián Basque Food Tour by Eski

If you’re looking to truly experience the soul of San Sebastián, book the food tour with Eski—you won’t regret it! From the moment we met her, Eski’s passion for Basque culture and cuisine was infectious. She led us through the winding streets of the Old Town with ease, sharing personal stories, local history, and insider knowledge that made the whole experience feel intimate and special.

Each stop on the tour was carefully curated—from traditional pintxo bars to hidden local pintxos gems I’d never have found on my own. The food was absolutely incredible—fresh seafood, melt-in-your-mouth jamón, and heavenly cheeses—paired perfectly with regional wines and cider. Ending with a huge highlight of original Basque La Vina cheesecake Eski knew exactly what to order and took the time to explain the ingredients and cultural significance of each dish.

But what truly made the tour stand out was Eski herself. She’s warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable, making everyone feel like an old friend. By the end of the tour, we were full—not just of food, but of appreciation for this beautiful city and its culinary heritage.

Highly recommend to anyone wanting an authentic, unforgettable experience...