Tapas Restaurant
Great Spanish Seafood. Why did we dine here? – Bellota (Acorn in Spanish), a new Spanish restaurant, is part of The Absinthe Group. This is a beautiful restaurant in the building that houses Air BnB. Be sure to visit the bathroom, you will see the impressive atrium. We have eaten both lunch and dinner here.
We visited San Sebastian (Donostia), Spain in 2017 and have some reviews for more casual restaurants in this review. If you are a foodie, you definitely need to visit this beautiful area.
Also checkout our reviews of legendary gastronomy temples:
Some call this place the Best in the world! San Sebastian is teeming with Michelin Stars, some of the higher number in one area. We chose two 3 star restaurants for our trip, Arzak and Martín Berasategui. This was primarily driven from research and recommendations from others. Mugaritz was one 3 star restaurant that many people discouraged us from dining at.
One of the Best Meals We’ve ever had! In Lasarte-Oria(Gipuzkoa) about 15 minutes from foodie heaven San Sebastian, Spain, Martín Berasategui has been awarded three Michelin stars since 2001. Most people think about Arzak or Mugaritz, but you need to dine HERE! The chef holds eight stars in total, more than any other Spanish chef with many restaurants around the world. He has 3 stars at this restaurant, 3 stars in Barcelona at Restaurante Lasarte, and 2 stars in the Canary Islands.
Xiringuito Escriba is a beachfront paella restaurant that several people recommended to us. The Yelp reviews are not good, so we were worried. To its credit, the restaurant was pretty full by 8pm, while others nearby where not. The posted hours show that it opens at 7pm, but we found people eating there before this. (No doubt foreigners like us!) Any restaurant that has such a good view is always red flagged by us.
Tickets is top rated part of Albert Adria’s group of restaurants, across the street from his other restaurant Bodega 1900. This restaurant was ranked number 25 in the world. It features a whimsical interior with offbeat decor, lights and furniture. It has 1 Michelin star.
Restaurante Somorrostro is a gem of a small restaurant a couple blocks from the Barcelona waterfront promenade, right in the middle of the Barceloneta residential area. Rated 4.5 on Trip advisor
Where the locals go in Barcelona!
Mercado de Santa Caterina is a food market in Central Barcelona where mostly locals go to do their everyday shopping.
The market is not very large and focuses on locals. There is not a lot of ready to eat food or Restaurants, unlike the other main market. After walking around, we found it very different than La Boqueria of Barcelona. Not very crowded which allowed for more interaction especially with Jamon sellers.
The must go to food market in Madrid!
Mercado de San Miguel is the food market in Central Madrid, right off the touristy Plaza Mayor. This is a must visit spot for all folks vacationing here. Prices of course are not cheap.
The market is not very large and focuses on tourists with lots of food that is ready to eat. After walking around, we found it different than La Boqueria of Barcelona. There are essential only 1 of each type of store. This is logical because the place is not very big.
The must go to food market in Barcelona!
La Boqueria is the food market in Central Barcelona, right off the touristy Las Ramblas boulevard. This is a must visit spot for all folks vacationing here. Prices of course are not cheap.
The locals have slowly been pushed away. Santa Caterina’s Market in Barcelona is much more focused on the locals.
Where the locals go in San Sebastian!
Mercado laBretxa, San Sebastian is a food market in the old town of San Sebastian where mostly locals go to do their everyday shopping.
The market is not very large and focuses on locals. There is not a lot of ready to eat food or Restaurants, unlike the other main market.
Julian Serrano is a new Spanish Tapas (small plates) restaurant in the new Las Vegas City Center Aria Hotel. Open in late December 2009, it is run by celebrity chef Julian Serrano who also runs top rated Picasso in Bellagio. He focuses on his native Spanish fare for lunch and dinner.
Contigo means with you in Spanish. They are a Barcelona inspired Spanish and Catalan tapas (small plates) restaurant in the Noe Valley area of San Francisco. They cook everything from scratch using the products of local, organic, and humane farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and artisans. Pica-Pica small plates are $8 each or $7 when you order 3 or more.
