Ikaitz jatetxea — Restaurant in San Sebastián

We began with a selection of Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, a classic choice known for its rich and nutty flavor. This was an ideal start—light yet satisfying, allowing us to whet our appetites without overwhelming our palates before the main courses.

For the main dishes, we chose the Tostón de Cordero Asado and the Oxtail—two hearty selections that certainly did not disappoint. The lamb dish, the Tostón de Cordero Asado, was undoubtedly the highlight of the meal. The lamb was prepared meticulously, likely slow-cooked to perfection before being shaped in a mold and subsequently grilled to give it a crisp finish. The meat was tender, succulent, and bursting with flavor, complemented beautifully by an azafrán pear and a subtly flavored sauce that tied all elements together without overpowering the natural richness of the lamb. The balance of flavors was exquisite, leading us to discuss and savor the nuances of this dish long after.

The Oxtail, presented with a variety of small, artfully arranged vegetables, was equally rich and flavorful, as one would expect from such a robust dish. The meat was tender, with a deep, savory essence. However, while the dish was executed well, it didn't quite reach the same level of memorability as the lamb. Perhaps the sauce could have used a touch more acidity to balance the richness, giving the dish a brighter finish. Nonetheless, it was an excellent dish.

The meal was concluded with a Tarta de Manzana, an apple tart that provided a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, a delightful end to a meal.

In terms of value, the meal, which totaled €122.70 including a bottle of wine, was well worth the experience. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared and presented, reflecting the skill and attention to detail of the kitchen. The overall dining experience was exceptional, particularly highlighted by the unforgettable lamb dish.

Ikaitz delivered on its promise of a refined dining experience, with dishes that not only showcased traditional flavors but did so with a modern, sophisticated touch. It is a place I would certainly recommend to those seeking a meal that offers both comfort and...

It is with disappointment that I share my and my girlfriend's experience at Restaurante Ikaitz in San Sebastian. Despite the restaurant being recommended in the Michelin Guide, it did not live up to our high expectations.

Firstly, the service was subpar. Despite the restaurant not being fully occupied, we had to wait for 20-30 minutes before even getting noticed, and it took a long time before we were asked about drinks. The wine selection by the glass was mediocre, but at least at reasonable prices.

The menu was not particularly inviting, but despite this, we were optimistic due to the Michelin recommendation. However, the dishes fell flat. The taste experience and finesse of the food were far from our expectations. They were tasteless and dull, and already after the serving of the starters, we wished we could cancel one of the main courses as we were simply very disappointed. Unfortunately, this was not possible according to the staff, despite it taking almost 45 minutes before the dish was served. We ended up paying 30 euros for a dish we asked them not to serve, which became a big disappointment.

The restaurant's atmosphere did not contribute to saving the experience either.

In summary, I cannot recommend Restaurante Ikaitz to anyone seeking that extra touch in terms of food, service, and...

We went to Ikaitz to celebrate our first anniversary after reading the positive reviews.

For a starter we had one of the specials - a carpaccio with cherry tomatoes - this dish was tasty but not overwhelming. For mains we had the meat. I had the duck which was tough - though still tasty because the peaches, cranberries and sweet potato cream that accompanied were very well made. My partner had the roasted lamb with the pear chutney which was flawless - sumptuously tender and delicious. For dessert we had the white chocolate egg which was unique and had rich flavors. To pair with the food we had the Izadi wine which was recommended by the waiter and was right on point.

To sum-up, most of dishes were very good to excellent, with sophisticated combination of flavors, high-quality ingredients and aesthetic presentation. The main reason I didn’t rate the restaurant 5 stars is the duck, which should not have been chewy; as well as the the carpaccio, which its price was higher than the mains and didn’t match the quality and quantity of the dish. Apart from the food the service was fine but not remarkable and the atmosphere was pleasant, with a crowd that seemed to be...