El Bistro Ondarreta

Incredible hidden gem located diagonally opposite NH Collections hotel. Wouldn’t have expected to have French bistro cuisine for our first meal in San Sebastián but it was truly one of the best and memorable lunches we had that we returned a 2nd time for dinner and the quality was consistent. Onion soup was excellent, as was their grilled Iberico pork which we devoured so quickly - we missed taking pics! Very personable service - Chef and his wifey made our family’s overall dining experience an awesome one.

A true gem of a restaurant…in all ways! The ambiance is relaxed, casual, and made so comfortable by the hostess/owner…the food was amazing! Such depths of flavor in each course…French onion soup was beyond comparison, and we have had many, many to compare it with…the hake was succulent, moist, and so addicting…the lobster spaghetti still lingers in my mind and my taste buds! We would have eaten there every day, if we could! Quite literally, the BEST meal we had in 10 days in Spain…the attention to details, the purveyance of fresh and optimal ingredients, and the ability and skill of the chef were beyond measure!

Hubby & I had dinner at the restaurant just now. The food is delicious. We had tomato salad, octopus, clam risotto & raw white tuna slices, and specially made lime tart as dessert. We highly recommend the refreshing tomato salad. And also, the octopus which is soft with a bit of crispy crust creating 2 layers of texture, plus, complimenting with 2 different flavour of dip sauce making every bite a different experience, while the clam risotto is cooked to perfection.

I was so lucky to get a table here, without a reservation. The food was fantastic, really love the flavours and dishes here. Run by a couple, wife in the front and the husband at the kitchen, simple and wonderful people, service was smooth and enjoyable. Will surely come back, if I’m here again.

I almost forgot to write a review for this little gem. I still think about this meal weeks later. Don't miss an opportunity to visit and enjoy an exquisite meal. I got so lucky and got a last minute reservation. Saw so many people get turned away. Don't walk, you need to run to this lobster pasta.

Hidden gem right behind my hotel. Quaint French bistro with phenomenal food and service. Jazz music playing, delicious wine, and the best meal I’ve had during my trip. Ordered the octopus special with roast potatoes and it was a 10/10. Olives, cheese, and lime tart were all superb as well.

Ondarreta Bistro feels like the kind of place you stumble into and then spend the rest of your trip telling everyone they have to go. It’s warm, unpretentious, yet driven by a quiet confidence that comes straight from the chef-owner, who’s as present in the dining room as in the kitchen. The staff carry that same spirit—attentive without fuss, genuinely invested in making sure you’re having the kind of meal that sticks with you. And the lobster pasta? Believe every whisper, every bit of hype—it’s rich, decadent, but balanced in a way that keeps you chasing the next bite. In a city stacked with world-class dining, Ondarreta carves out its own space by doing what matters most: making you feel welcome, feeding you something extraordinary, and reminding you why we fall in love with restaurants in the first place.

Best food in San Sebastian by far Hidden gem. Mussels, Lobster and steak Fabulous service. Definitely recommend and will be back in the future.