A sidrería, or cider house, may not be top of your list when planning a trip to the Basque Country. However, these establishments have a long tradition and are a highly recommended stop for those looking for an authentic culinary experience in San Sebastián.
Beyond the pintxos and signature cuisine for which San Sebastián is so famous, the local cider is another hallmark of the town and the region. The Basques have been making cider for centuries, though history has inevitably taken its toll on the sector. Before the Spanish Civil War there were around 800 sidrerías in the area; now barely a hundred keep the tradition alive.
The cider houses in Astigarraga are particularly renowned, as are those in Hernani, Urnieta and Usurbil. Most sidrerías are in the north-west of Gipuzkoa. Ready to try the best cider houses in and around Donostia-San Sebastián? Get your notebook ready because we’re about to reveal a selection of sidrerías that you won’t want to miss.
The best sidrerías in San Sebastián and Astigarraga
Cider houses are now a popular feature on many tourist itineraries in San Sebastián though this wasn’t always the case. Centuries ago, producers would hold private tastings for their buyers, hoping to impress the most demanding palates with their jealously guarded ciders stored in traditional barrels.
The original practice of making a small hole in the barrels (a ritual known as txotx) for tasting the precious contents within has evolved into what you’ll now experience in the most famed sidrerías: a guided visit before sitting down to a typical cider house menu. Read on to discover our selection of the best cider houses in the Basque Country.
- Barkaiztegi (Barkaiztegi Bidea, 42)
Barely five minutes from the centre of San Sebastián, sitting in stunning natural surroundings, is Barkaiztegi. What started out as a cider house in San Sebastián in the late-17th century is now a large establishment with a restaurant that’s popular with fans of traditional Basque cuisine.
The cider is available bottled all year and can be tasted straight from the barrel during the sidrería season (from mid-January to late-April).
- Lizeaga (Martutene Pasealekua, 139)
Choosing the best sidrería in San Sebastián is no easy task. Many of these establishments have centuries of history and know-how behind them. Such is the case with Lizeaga, a cider house on the banks of the River Urumea dating back more than 400 years.
The sidrería is part of the Gartziategi country house and cider mill and is open all year, though the best time is during the txotx season. Lizeaga safeguards Basque traditions and gastronomy. You can walk there from Astigarraga.
- Petritegi (Petritegi Bidea, 8. Astigarraga)
For many, this sidrería just five kilometres from San Sebastián is the best in Astigarraga. It’s easy to see why: this 16th-century country house and cider mill not only produces and serves one of the most famous ciders in the region but offers visitors a whole range of experiences.
In addition to its three cider-themed dining rooms, the sidrería has tastings, guided visits of the bodega, children’s workshops and activities, cider-making experiences and concerts.
- Zapiain (Nagusia, 96. Astigarraga)
The origins of this Astigarraga cider house go back to the 16th century. Over the years it has moved with the times and expanded its facilities, incorporating new technologies and bringing in professionals who lovingly manage each phase of the cider-making process.
In addition to visiting the bodegas and sampling the traditional cider, you can choose from a range of other cider-related products in their catalogue including Bizi Gotxo or dessert cider, Sagardoz varieties (Le Blanc, Liqueur and Haritza Oak Aged) and a delicate apple cider vinegar.
- Bereziartua (Iparralde Bidea, 16. Astigarraga)
The final stop we recommend on your tour of Astigarraga’s cider houses is Bereziartua. With a tradition dating back to 1870, this family business is now into its fourth generation. You can try several varieties of cider on guided tours all throughout the year.
The txotx season in Bereziartua runs to the end of May and visitors can accompany their cider experience with a typical cider-house menu. The barrels are arranged around the dining area, enabling you to taste different ciders in the traditional way as you enjoy your feast. Call out ‘txotx!’ before filling your glass one or two fingers and drinking the cider slowly, in one go, savouring all of its properties. The experience won’t disappoint.
Cider house menu in San Sebastián
If you fancy a haute cuisine dining experience to accompany your cider, look no further than the cider houses of San Sebastián. Many establishments have reinterpreted the traditional menu throughout the decades, though most still serve what would be considered a cider house menu.
The most popular option is a fixed price menu including as much cider as you can drink and several traditional local dishes. How’s this to get your mouth watering: cod omelette, fried cod with peppers, and a huge grilled steak. Round it off with a dessert of Idiazabal cheese, quince jelly and fresh walnuts.
Donostia-San Sebastián is much more than just pintxos, so don’t miss out on an authentic sidrería experience while you’re in town.
