Bar Nestor — Restaurant in San Sebastián

First and foremost, my 1 star experience is based on numerous factors. However I believe its still worth visiting and I hope the tips below will make your experience worthwhile.

We arrived 30mins prior to opening because we are super ok to line up for good food. When we arrived there were already several parties in front of us. each party began to walk away after speaking to the lovely young staff member- he told the every to come back at opening to put names down on the 'waitlist'. The party in front of us were adamant on staying they did not want to go and come back; reluctant he moved to us and advised the same. 'come back and my colleague will have a list you can put your name down'. As everyone else walked away we decided ok let's come back and trust the system.

Tip 1. STAY IN LINE. if you're prepared to wait just do it. When we walked back i saw party A (who were in front of us) and party B (group behind us) 1st and second in line and now a whole ~7groups in the queue. Tip 2. Waitlist is a hoax. No such a thing. We reminded the young staff member of our arrival and asked to be put on waitlist. He says he remembers us and proceeds to take our name. We are second on this 'waitlist'. Was told to line up like the rest and not to tell others there's a waitlist inside.

The 2nd gen. owner would come out to greet parties mostly local. The line wld be chopped.. so I.e the line was forming to the left of the restaurant.. half the queue would be chopped and moved to the right. Which created an illusion that you've moved up in the queue.. as we are not second in line from the right side, behind friends he had greeted.

As we stood and waited, I saw that Party A had gotten a seat. Hoping we were next as we were initially behind them and also second in line on this 'waitlist'. our line got chopped again and im now back on the left side behind party B(group behind us when we first arrived 30mins prior to arrival). Surely we would get in before them? If we didn't... this system doesn't work/waitlist doesnt exist.. You're basically back to square 1 in line.

To my dismay party B was seated before us... no names ever called on waitlist, parties lining in front of us were all seated according to position in line. (when we got back there were 9 parties in line). Group of locals came greet 2nd gen owner and got sat down right away. We did question this, he actually said 'this group made reservation two months ago' to which we replied from what we read you do not accept reservations? he simply responded with 'this is a small restaurant, you want to wait.. wait. you don't want to wait?' implying we should leave if we don't want to wait.. Not wanted to ruffle any feathers to what seemed tense we simply said we are happy to wait.

Tip3. see above. just wait in line and don't trust their system which isn't really a system.

When we finally got seated ambience was good. Little bit tense with 2nd gen owner but vibes were good in our party. 1st gen owner was nice, worked behind the bar and greeted us on arrival and helped us with our drink order. The tomatoes were delicious and good choices of wines. Steak was shown to us by the lovely young man (the one who did all the waitlist stuff) a beautiful piece with a nice fat cap on the side. We accepted, it was weighed.

Disappointing.Our steak turned out super fatty and it quite look like the one we had been shown. We did manage to get a nice slice each but the rest was almost not edible with all fat.. we showed the young man and he said he will check with his colleague for us. The 2nd gen owner was called to come and look at the steak, he explained the situation to him he simply said it is what it is, offered another piece if we wanted to pay for it. He hated us, you can see it on his face. We simply declined at this point and wanted to be out of here. He did not want us to be around either. Whilst everyone else tried to be hospitable...tension was on the rise. Really couldn't understand their language so hard to say but you can tell it was time to leave and enjoy a...

Believe the hype!

The chances are, if you're visiting San Sebastian for pintxos, you've heard about Bar Nestor and his famous tortilla (possibly you've seen it on the BBC travel show that visited San Sebastian?). We went in with high hopes - and we weren't disappointed!

The first thing to know is, if you want tortilla, you need to queue up early. We arrived just before 11am, and were number 10 & 11 in the queue. Only 16 people got tortilla that day, so whilst getting over an hour early may sound excessive, it's recommended! The bar window opens at midday, and Nestor takes the names of the people who will have tortilla, along with any additional orders.

The tortilla - well, what can I say? Very tasty, just the right consistency (i.e. not overcooked), just a wonderful treat. Tortilla done right, and only €2.50 a slice (more generally, all the prices were reasonable, as the receipt photo shows).

Alongside the tortilla, we also had a gargantuan tomato salad (really fresh, drizzled in oil and salt - really refreshing and tasty), and some gildas, for a strong umami taste (the peppers had a little kick too).

For drinks, we tried a few glasses of txakoli, the local brew in Basque country - a slightly fizzy wine, it's a light flavour, not too strong alcohol wise, and just the sort of drink you want at lunchtime. We also had a glass of kalimotxo, another local special - red wine and coca cola! Again, it's quite refreshing and has a relatively low alcohol content. And it tastes better than it sounds!

Service was great, despite how busy it was (and it WILL be busy if you go near to or in holiday season). The bar staff were all great, including the infamous Nestor, who made sure everyone who had a slice of tortilla also had a drink to go with it.

Finally, the experience of the place was fantastic. The waiting, ordering, the ceremony of the tortilla coming out and your name being read off the paper - it all really adds something I think. There was a great buzz at the bar, and we had a good chat with other people who had also been with us in the queue earlier.

San Sebastian is a great town with lots of amazing restaurants/bars. Given all that, it says a lot I think that this was far and away my favourite one that we visited! If you're willing to give up an hour queueing, do it - you...

Bar Nestor, a culinary gem nestled in San Sebastián, is a testament to the art of simplicity and the celebration of unique flavors. In true Anthony Bourdain fashion, I embarked on a gastronomic adventure at this iconic establishment, eager to explore its renowned offerings.

Upon arriving at Bar Nestor, I was disappointed to learn that the renowned tortilla was unavailable during my visit. It is worth noting that Nestor has earned a reputation as the home of the best tortilla, a Spanish omelette crafted with precision, combining potatoes and onions to create a harmonious delight that has captivated taste buds worldwide. Alas, I had to save that experience for another time.

Nevertheless, I indulged in a sizzling steak that arrived with an enticing aroma. With each succulent bite, the taste spoke volumes—a remarkable symphony of flavors that showcased the expertise of the kitchen. The simplicity of the dish, elevated by quality ingredients and expert preparation, was a testament to the mastery of Bar Nestor.

The tomato salad, a seemingly humble creation, proved to be a revelation. Bursting with freshness, its vibrant colors and enticing aroma beckoned me to dive in. From the first bite, my taste buds were awakened by the harmonious combination of juicy tomatoes and complementary elements, showcasing the true essence of simplicity done right.

Beyond the culinary delights, Bar Nestor exuded a captivating vibe that added to the overall experience. The warm and welcoming ambiance, coupled with the always-smiling and helpful staff, created an atmosphere that made me feel right at home. Their passion for their craft and dedication to providing exceptional service only heightened the pleasure of the dining experience.

As I left Bar Nestor, I couldn't help but look forward to my next visit. The simplicity and uniqueness of the tastes I encountered lingered on my palate, leaving a lasting impression. Bar Nestor, with its unpretentious charm and dedication to delivering extraordinary flavors, is a must-visit for any discerning food lover seeking an authentic...