Gastroteka Danontzat

This is what dreams are made of. This not a restaurant, as it transcends into an experience. You cam feel the love and high expertise to not just create an amazing recipe, but to explore taste, flavours and fusions. The menu is simply a master piece of starter, main and desserts, that even include great wines. One can't expect to recommend the fish or the meat, as there is much more. The service is exquisite, as you may expect, and the price is great for its high quality ingredients. The location and ambient even can match, so there is excuse, or rationale to enjoy it. Furthermore, it should be a must for anyone around! So, come and listen, as every dish has its own narrative, and shape your storytelling

Delicious meal and great (English speaking) service in this chill place near the cathedral at the top of the old city in Hondarribia. Most dishes were dressed with the best olive oil and dusted with herbs or lime zest or both. Fantastic bread to dip in the oil. The cured tuna and 00 anchovies were amazing, as were the artichokes, meatballs, squid in black ink. Excellent selection of wines by the glass and full cocktail bar. We don’t leave room for dessert, but they sounded delicious.

Superb! Gorka and his team are amazing. Food, wine & service are all amazing. This is our 2nd visit in 3 years. The first visit was extremely good too. I'd recommend making a reservation as it was quite busy. Looking forward to the next chance of eating here.

We arrived in Donosti around 10 PM from Barcelona for the Donosti Cup. Most restaurants nearby were already closed, but by luck, we found this beautiful little gem near the Church of Santa María—Gastroteka Danontzat. We came in around 10:30 PM, unsure if they would still accept us, but they warmly welcomed us and told us the kitchen was still open. We ordered beer and two dishes: the pulpo (octopus) and meatballs. The flavors were completely new to me and my wife—unique, rich, and clearly made with passion. I said to myself, “This chef really knows what he’s doing.” The pulpo, especially, was unforgettable. But the real magic was the people. The waiter—whose name I didn’t catch—was incredibly friendly and spoke great English. He took the time to chat and make us feel at home. And the chef himself came out to greet us… and even gave us a gift. A small, quiet gesture that I will never forget. This place is more than just a restaurant—it’s a memory. Thank you for making our first night in Donosti so special. We’ll definitely be back.

The most amazing Basque tapas restaurant! We couldn’t believe how wonderful the food was here — the flavours were incredible and every dish was so unique. We loved everything we tried, from the tuna carpaccio to the octopus, the sardines and the artichokes. And the bread! I’m still thinking about how good the bread was. What really made this place special, though, was the owner, who is also the chef. He goes above and beyond — so friendly and welcoming, greeting everyone personally. The place was absolutely buzzing but still felt relaxed and warm. We got a table straight away and the staff were fantastic. The food, the flavours, the atmosphere and the amazing owner made this one of the best meals we’ve had. We’d highly recommend it to anyone — don’t miss it!

An amazing experience! The food was exquisite, the atmosphere was cosy and quiet, service top notch. The waiter made excellent recommendations and served each dish delicately and with great passion. Highly recommended.

Definitely the highlight of our trip to Hondarribia! Hands down, the best squid risotto, fried mussels, and even the chicken wings were mind-blowing! The service and kitchen teams were excellent and genuine. This restaurant is on its way to earning a Michelin 🌟

Where to start? From the moment we walked in, I knew we were in for a good meal. I think I have eaten the best croqueta on the face of the earth. Please do yourself a favour and order the mushroom one. The tuna, the artichokes, the lasagna, the mussels… all 10/10. Simply one of the best meals I have ever had. Many thanks to the chefs and the waiters, who were very accommodating and helpful. I will return without hesitation when I am back in the region. Thank you!

Gastroteka Danontzat was one of those special dining experiences that Gayle and I still talk about after returning from Spain. We were here only a few weeks ago, but those lightly breaded mussels (eaten with a toothpick), a few other tapas, and the Sangria really made for a most excellent meal. The restaurant is literally around the corner from the Parador. I'm sorry that I got caught up in the experience and forgot to take any food and place photos. Actually, most of the restaurant was already booked, but a few barrel-accented tables were available outside. And aside from a fun group of guys taking their happy hour on the street in front of us and an amorous French couple at the next table, Gayle and I mostly felt that we had plenty of intimate space. Our waiter was extremely nice and accomodating. That includee a iPad-based menu of which he patiently went through page after page. He also told us that the word Danontzat was Basque meaning "for everyone" of which this menu definitely was. The hardest part in these sort of places is deciding when to stop, as you can always order another round of Pintxos and no one is trying to turn your table.

I haven't been here in 5 years, yet it shines brightly in my memory. I look forward to another opportunity to enjoy this wonderful restaurant and once again enjoy Gorka's company.

Where do I begin? Let me preface this by saying that we are professionals in the restaurant/service industry. My wife writes restaurant reviews in the New York Times, and has been all over Spain, including in Vascongadas (review coming up in about 10 days in the NYT). Service was okay but very slow for Spanish standards (two servers for an entire restaurant). Sangria was horrible (flavourless). The appetizers were really good, and highly reccomended (her review will also reflect that). The atmosphere was horrendous. There was a table with about 8 people and they were talking and laughing so much and so loud that we could not hear each other at all when we were trying to talk. When we told the server about our discomfort, he lied and said he would do something about it. He did not. When we complained again, we were told (by the server) that maybe we were in the wrong restaurant, and that this was normal behavior because we were in Vascongadas. Really? I am a native Spaniard, and having a table of people who are being so loud that you literally cannot hear each other speak, is NOT normal behavior anywhere. By definition, that hinders everybody's ability to have an enjoyable dinner. A restaurant should be an inclusive space where everyone feels comfortable and can enjoy their meal without having to wear earplugs. Very poor customer service. Please stay away, unless you are okay with what I described.

Great sangria and had a goat cheese bread that was delicious. The interior is so well designed and decorated. A nice find.

We had such a great time trying out food I've never even thought of before (and I eat Uni, foie gras, oysters etc.) The chef was incredible and walked us through the whole menu while always cracking jokes. We tried the fried beef tongue and a bunch of other interesting items. While there was nothing that I would "crave" for again I would definitely go back just to experience such a fun, delicious and nicely done restaurant. The entire staff couldn't of been better!

My new favorite restaurant! The wonderful food and amazing hospitality was the high-point of our trip to Spain. We actually stayed an extra night in Hondarribia so we could go again. (Yes, it's THAT good and the owner and staff are so much fun!) Victor helped us with selecting various dishes and brilliantly paired our food with the perfect wines to go with them. We also learned about preparation of the dishes, local food, and Basque culture. We tried many of the dishes and every one of them was delicious. The food was seasonal and fresh; we recommend the veal tongue, smoked sardine, octopus and potatoes, and artichokes (if you are lucky enough to catch them in season). You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Just bring your joy of life and ENJOY!