On the right bank of the Urumea River in the north of the province of Gipuzkoa, we come upon Astigarraga, a town five kilometers from San Sebastián that is home to such must-see places as the Church of Santa María de la Asunción and Santiagomendi Ethnographic Park. As for what you should eat in Astigarraga, we’ll make some suggestions on this page. One thing’s for sure—the cider is not to be missed!
Astigarraga is the Basque cider capital par excellence. This small town is the largest producer of cider in all of the Basque Country, so it’s no surprise that the beverage is the main attraction of the town, which even has a Museum of Basque Cider (Sagardoetxea). There you can learn about techniques for making cider by hand, in the past as well as in the present day. From the month of January until April, Astigarraga is full of tourists who come to enjoy the famous traditional beverage. Cider season officially kicks off with the festival known as Presentación de la Nueva Temporada de la Sidra (Arrival of the New Cider Season), celebrated every January on the Wednesday before San Sebastián Day.
Of course, much of the gastronomy of Astigarraga revolves around cider. The town is known for its great number of cider houses which serve traditional foods like Spanish omelette with codfish and barbecued meats, especially ox chops. When it comes time to eat in Astigarraga, typical Basque dishes including fresh fish from the nearby Cantabrian coast are also very common. In addition to cider, other popular products in the town are Txakoli de Getaria and Idiazabal cheese.
A classic option for dining in Astigarraga is any of the town’s multiple seasonal cider houses which, between January and May, open their doors to let customers try their harvest. Astigarraga is home to the greatest concentration of cider houses in all of the Basque Country. One of them is Alonerrea, which in addition to cider serves spectacular meat dishes. Our community of travelers also speaks very highly of Astarbe Sagardotegia.
Our final recommendation is Sagartxo, a tavern nearby a park which makes it the perfect place for those traveling with children, as they can have fun while you enjoy some delicious pinchos on the bar’s terrace. And don’t forget about the cider!
There is a wide range of places to eat in Astigarraga, most of them associated with more traditional fare and with cider as their centerpiece.
The restaurant Kako is one of the most popular establishments in the town. It is located in an old country house and consists of three dining rooms and a terrace. Serving classic cuisine prepared with fresh, high-quality local products, they offer several prix fixe menus and an extensive wine cellar.
Another good place to eat in Astigarraga is Astarbe, a classic cider house whose fare draws directly on the culinary tradition of Gipuzkoa. They offer several house specialties and two prix fixe menus, one that is available during cider season and another available in the summer.
Yalde is a grill specializing in barbecued meats, especially their signature dish, the Riojan lamb chops. In addition, they offer all kinds of dishes ascribed to traditional Basque cuisine.
Goiki Iturri is a very popular restaurant in Astigarraga. They prepare good food with fresh products and offer a wide-ranging and appetizing menu showcasing locally-sourced fish and meat products.
