Bar Martinez

Bar Martínez is a traditional pintxos bar on Calle 31 de Agosto in the Parte Vieja of San Sebastián. The venue combines a straightforward bar setting with a menu centred on Basque cooking, Donostia-style pintxos, home-style dishes and carefully selected produce. Its format suits visitors looking for a short stop at the bar as well as those wanting to build a longer meal from several small plates.

The menu is organised around cold pintxos, hot pintxos, sharing portions and filled sandwiches. Seafood and fish feature prominently, with options based on anchovies, tuna, cod, prawns, octopus, squid and other marine ingredients. The kitchen also covers meat, Iberian ham, mushrooms, peppers, eggs and seasonal-style vegetable combinations, giving the selection more range than a seafood-only bar. Portions provide a way to order more substantial plates for sharing, while the pintxos allow for a varied tasting across different preparations.

Bar Martínez places particular emphasis on traditional flavours while allowing room for different cooking methods. The selection includes marinated and fried seafood, grilled preparations, skewers, sauces, stuffed vegetables and casserole-style dishes. A house speciality combines a stuffed pepper with bonito, tartare sauce and a sherry vinegar dressing, reflecting the venue’s preference for familiar local ingredients with a composed finish. The food is designed around the social rhythm of pintxos dining, where several small orders can be combined with drinks or followed by a larger portion.

The drinks list focuses on wine to accompany the food. It includes rosé, white wine and red wines, with crianza styles and Rioja among the listed choices. This makes the bar a natural fit for a traditional pintxos crawl, a casual lunch or an evening of shared plates in the old quarter. The atmosphere is rooted in the classic Donostia bar tradition rather than a formal restaurant experience, with the counter and compact dishes shaping the visit.

Bar Martínez also serves sandwiches, including squid and mixed Iberian options, adding a simple choice for a quick meal. The combination of pintxos, raciones, bocadillos and wine gives the venue flexibility for different appetites and lengths of stay. It is best suited to diners interested in Basque bar food, seafood-led small plates and a traditional setting on one of the Parte Vieja’s established food streets.