Where to eat in Mount Igueldo: Restaurants with views and local flavour

The best views of San Sebastián can be enjoyed from one of its hills. Climbing Mount Igueldo, Mount Ulía, or Mount Urgull is always a good option for enjoying the scenery. And, if you can, take the opportunity to eat at a restaurant in the area. In this post, we’ll show you where to eat on Mount Igueldo: restaurants with views and local flavor.

Why Monte Igueldo is a special place to eat

We San Sebastian locals debate which offers the best views of the city: Mount Urgull or Mount Igueldo. At Bike Rental, we also have different opinions, but most of us prefer the latter. The views of La Concha Bay from Mount Igueldo are unbeatable. You can even see France on a clear day. It’s also the best option for eating, as there is a wide range of restaurants to choose from with unique views of the city.

Where to eat in Monte Igueldo: restaurants with views and local flavors

If you decide to eat on Mount Igueldo, you can spend the whole day there. Head to the amusement park and ride some of the attractions, which are always fun, whether you have children with you or not. The Swiss Mountain is a must; don’t be alarmed if you hear strange noises, as it is the oldest steel roller coaster in the world still in operation. Don’t miss the little boat that travels along the mysterious river; it offers spectacular views.

If you like adventure and nature, you can try one of the Canopy Donosti Aventura circuits. This is a route with zip lines and walkways through the forest, suitable for people who don’t suffer from fear of heights. You can also organize a hiking route that starts in the pretty coastal village of Orio and ends in Igueldo at lunchtime.

It must be said that eating at Monte Igueldo and at any of the restaurants we are going to recommend is not the cheapest option. They are good choices if you want to pay a little more for the views or if you have a special celebration: an anniversary, a birthday, etc. You won’t regret it.

Featured restaurants

1. Rekondo Restaurant

The Rekondo Restaurant is the ideal choice for lovers of good food and wine. It has one of the best wine cellars in the world, and it’s not just us saying so; it has also been recognized by renowned magazines such as Wine Spectator and La Revue du Vin de France.

Tradition is evident in its location in a Basque farmhouse, and modernity in its offering of Basque haute cuisine. The products they offer are carefully selected: chef Iñaki Arrieta ensures that he has signature dishes and varies the menu according to the season. If you go, don’t miss the baked txangurro (spider crab) or the hake fillets in green sauce. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a place to eat in Monte Igueldo that offers a high-end dining experience.

2. Alaia Restaurant

The Alaia Grill Restaurant is an ideal choice for enjoying the good weather thanks to its incredible terrace. It is also ideal if you want to escape the typical pintxo-hopping plan. The grill is known for its delicious paellas and rice dishes, especially those featuring fish, since we are on the coast.

If you can go more than once, we recommend the beef steak for one of your visits. Without a doubt, another excellent option for dining on Monte Igueldo while enjoying the views.

3. El Torreón Restaurant – Mercure Monte Igueldo Hotel

At the top of Mount Igueldo is the Mercure Hotel and, within it, the El Torreón Restaurant. It is a good option if you are looking for accommodation with a quality restaurant for your stay in San Sebastián. It offers signature cuisine and has a small vegetable garden on the premises, which guarantees the freshness of the produce. The tasting menu and the views from its glass windows are a real treat.

If you’re wondering where to eat in Monte Igueldo with one of the best views of the bay, this is a safe bet.

4. Jose M. Olasagasti Landa

If you are looking for authenticity, this is the place for you. Joxe Mari Olasagasti, representative of Basque sports such as stone lifting and log cutting, gives his name to this restaurant.

It is located in a traditional Basque farmhouse and offers a cider house menu, with the main dishes being grilled steak and turbot. Olasagasti treats his oxen with love, as he says, and this is evident in the quality.

5. Akelarre Restaurant

We’ve saved the most special restaurant for last. One of the city’s three Michelin-starred restaurants, run by the great Pedro Subijana: Akelarre. Subijana is one of the founders of the new Basque cuisine movement and the driving force behind Spain’s first gastronomic university: the Basque Culinary Centre.

At his restaurant, you will find the ultimate expression of what experts have in mind when they talk about haute cuisine. An experience for the most daring. And if you don’t have the financial means to enjoy the tasting menu at this place, you can go to Espazio Oteiza, which offers a wonderful terrace where you can enjoy an aperitif. A must-visit spot if you’re looking for a place to eat in Monte Igueldo for a special occasion.

Directions and logistics

Depending on the restaurant you choose, there are different ways to get there. If you have the opportunity, take the Igueldo funicular railway. It is one of the oldest funicular railways in Spain and will take you from Paseo de Sagurustegui, on Ondarreta beach, to the top of Mount Igueldo. The round trip costs around 5 or 6€. Before taking it, check their website for fares and timetables, as these vary depending on the season.

-The Rekondo Restaurant is about a 30-45 minute walk from the city centre, depending on where you are. It is the easiest to get to if you do not have a car.

-The Alaia Restaurant is not accessible on foot because part of the route is a road, so we recommend going by car or funicular, as is the case for the El Torreón Restaurant. If you go by car, you can easily park in the public car park.

-The restaurants José M. Olasagasti Landa and Akelarre can be reached on foot, but it will take you over an hour to get there, as they are located in the Igeldo neighborhood. If you don’t feel like walking, you can go by car or bus, specifically number 16, which leaves from the boulevard. This bus also goes to the funicular station square.

For us, the best option is to rent some bikes and set off on an adventure. Our bikes are suitable for city riding and for the roads that lead to these restaurants, so you’ll have no trouble getting there.