Astelena

Astelena is a Basque restaurant in San Sebastian’s Parte Vieja, close to the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, the Kursaal and the Hotel María Cristina. Its cooking centres on local and seasonal produce, with a clear emphasis on flavour, quality and more responsible sourcing. The style is rooted in classic Basque cuisine while adding contemporary touches, creating a menu that connects familiar regional traditions with a more modern approach.

The restaurant occupies a former banana warehouse and retains a spacious, adaptable layout. Two dining rooms provide different scales of service, with an upper room for around 40 diners and a larger lower room for up to 80. Private rooms are also available for more intimate meals, meetings and group occasions. This range of spaces makes Astelena suitable for everything from a relaxed restaurant booking to a larger gathering, while preserving a more contained setting for guests seeking privacy.

Astelena’s character comes from its focus on produce rather than decorative excess. Local commerce and seasonal availability guide the kitchen, with the food designed to reflect the ingredients and cooking culture of the Basque Country. The result is a restaurant that combines a traditional culinary base with updated presentation and technique, without moving away from the importance of taste.

The dining rooms work for visitors looking for an organised meal in the Old Town, as well as for groups planning a shared occasion. The private rooms add flexibility for quieter celebrations or professional meetings. Its central Parte Vieja position also places the restaurant within easy reach of several of San Sebastian’s cultural and hospitality landmarks, making it a practical choice before or after time in the surrounding area.

Astelena is therefore defined by seasonal Basque cooking, local sourcing and a mix of classic and modern influences. The former warehouse setting, multiple dining rooms and private spaces give the restaurant a straightforward, versatile format for individual diners, groups and more formal gatherings.