Abakando

Abakando is a seafood-focused restaurant on Tolosa Hiribidea in Antiguo, San Sebastian. Its cooking centres on shellfish and other products from the sea, with a menu that also draws on ingredients associated with the cuisine of Gipuzkoa. Pintxos and sharing portions form part of the offer, making the restaurant suitable for a lighter visit as well as a full meal.

A distinctive feature is the live seafood tank in the kitchen area. Shellfish such as crabs, lobsters, prawns, langoustines, oysters, clams, cockles and whelks are kept there until service. Depending on the ingredient and the chosen preparation, seafood can be cooked in seawater or grilled, with the cooking approach intended to preserve its natural flavour. The selection changes with the available product, while the focus remains firmly on fresh seafood.

The menu extends beyond shellfish. Fresh fish, seasonal vegetables, well-sourced meats and rice dishes provide alternatives for different tastes and dining styles. Rice preparations can be adapted, and the broader menu gives the restaurant a Basque-influenced range rather than limiting the kitchen to seafood alone.

The main dining room accommodates 46 people, while two private rooms seat eight and 14 respectively. Both private rooms have television equipment and are designed for business meals, family gatherings and other group occasions. This layout gives Abakando a practical setting for smaller celebrations and organised meals, alongside regular restaurant dining.

Abakando also operates its own seafood tank for purchases to take home, allowing the same type of live shellfish offered in the restaurant to be bought for preparation elsewhere. The combination of a seafood-led menu, pintxos, traditional local produce and private dining makes the restaurant a natural choice for seafood-focused meals, group occasions and visitors looking for a broader taste of regional cooking in the Antiguo area.