San Sebastian
Navigating the labyrinthine streets of pintxo culture.
San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) holds one of the highest numbers of Michelin stars per square meter in the world. But the true soul of the city's gastronomy is found not in its fine dining establishments, but in its bustling pintxo bars.
The Pintxo Crawl
Going for pintxos (txikiteo) is a dynamic experience. The unwritten rule is to have one drink and one pintxo at a bar, then move on to the next. The counters are laden with colorful arrays of miniature culinary masterpieces, from simple 'gilda' skewers to complex hot dishes prepared to order.
Txakoli: The Local Pour
The traditional accompaniment to pintxos is Txakoli, a slightly sparkling, very dry white wine produced in the Basque Country. It is famously poured from a height into tall glasses to aerate the wine and enhance its natural effervescence.
