Atari Gastroteka

This was one of my favorite and first places I came too. Just a staff and a great selections of pintxos.

Super cool Pinxtos. Modern and creative. Like nothing else on the Pinxto strip.
Inexpensive and inspirational. One of the best things about this town is the way that you can find culinary excellence at all levels of budget, from bars to 3-​star gourmet palaces. It’s a town where chefs come to learn, and come to show. This bar exemplifies this model.
I have no idea exactly what all the things I ate were, but it was all superb.
Recommended.

Atari Gastroteka is a more modern take on the Pincho Bar compared to most of what you can otherwise see in San Sebastián. But that´s not a bad thing as long as they get the food right.
And they indeed do get the food right. Combine that with friendly waiters and you get a great place to spend the evening with friends.

Too busy of a place! Very touristic and also popular by locals, it’s hard to get a seat or even try to order here. Pintxos look cool for first glance but nothing special as soon as you are about to eat it ;-) watch out the surimi with mayo.

This was my favorite pinxto bar in San Sebastián. With so many great pinxtos to try in San Sebastián I found myself here twice because I liked it so much. I tried the hake, the beef cheeks, the shrimp skewers, fried fish croquette, and a few other things. My favorite was the hake, which I ordered twice. Everything was delicious, although the fish croquette was kind of boring, but it was the only one I tried my whole trip so I have nothing else to compare it to.
I loved everything about this place, especially since I found ordering at popular pinxto places really overwhelming and this place offered table service (if you can manage to snag one) where they come by and take your order and deliver the food. So nice!

Le meilleur tapas de la ville, les dés de saumon marinés sont incroyables !!!

Fantastic. Go.
We went there by default because Fuego Negro next door was closed for lunch. Turned out fabulous.
Alow cooked beef cheeks on mashed potatoes and ref wine sauce.
Orange scented baked Hake fish on cous cous.
Grilled Foie Gras with white chocolate and corn sauce. Wow.
Ten of these and a bottle of water between two. 39 Euros.
Star quality food, nice place, comfortable seating and nice table. Uncrowded. With the whole meal less than the price of an apetitzer at a Michelin star restaurant? Definitely come again and again.

They have sold out to being a touristy money trap. Prices for pinxtos and drinks are much higher than other places. Poorer quality. Table service was poor to non-​existent. Bartenders were pre-​occupied with talking to friends and other employees. Overall, customers are treated poorly. La Cepa and Gandarias are just down the street and do not have these problems.

Pintxos très raffinés et excellent choix de vins au verre. Le personnel très disponible à pris le temps de nous conseiller aussi bien sur les plats et les boissons. Au bilan nous en avons eu pour 28 € pour des gambas, le foie gras poêlé, 2 toasts, le pain perdu en dessert et 2 verres de vin. Pas cher payé vu la qualité des mets.

On a two week trip through Spain, visiting San Sebastian, Madrid and Barcelona, this was our number one meal. A mistranslation (we’re novice spanish speakers and know no basque) led to us ordering the most delicious appetizer on the menu — the rice of the day, which was this decadent concoction of al dente rice, vegetables and a rich sauce that screamed blue cheese. The cod croquettes and the potato/​aioli/​tomato sauce was just knock-​your-​socks off delicious. And oddly, the cesar salad was one of the best and definitely most unique ceasars I’ve ever had. Topped it all off with a solid crème brule and that was the best dining we’ve had all trip. Considering going back tomorrow!

Definitivamente mi local de pinchos preferido de San Sebastián, y al que nunca faltaré cuando venga. El huevo a baja temperatura estaba increíble, y los calamares también. Todo lo que probamos era excelente. Eso sí, el sitio estaba llenísimo pero pudimos encontrar un hueco en la barra. Un must en la cuidad!

Un sans faute ! Des pintxos aussi bien présentés que bons, une déco de taverne basque typique, un service extra malgré la barrière de la langue. Découvert avec mes parents à l’été 2012, j’avais trouvé porte close l’année d’après, déçu, dépité avec comme plan B, un resto minable. En revenant d’une rando à Monte Urgull il y a un mois, quelle né fut pas ma surprise de revoir sa façade toute fraîche, son intérieur charmant et ses plats appétissants. Même pas saisi que l’établissement avait subi un incendie de prime abord, tellement tout avait été refait à l’identique. Bref, arrêtons les surperlatifs car l’on pourrait croire à un éloge, testez le tout simplement

This place was so fantastic we went twice during our 2.5 day stay. Dinner in the square under the cathedral and people all around you enjoying the evening. The beef cheeks, octopus and foie were all delicious. The second time we went and got tapas at the bar — everything was good so go nuts.

Get the octopus. It is amazing. That is all.

Whenever I’m in San Sebastian, I always make a trip to Atari. Two years ago, there was a terrible kitchen fire, and this place shut down for the whole summer.
I am so delighted that they are once again alive and well — they now have a pintxo bar AND a cocktail bar next door (one of the few places in San Sebastian with good cocktails), and they make some mean gin and tonics.
Favorite Pintxos: beef cheeks and the solomillo.
Favorite Raciones: octopus with potatoes (pulpo) and rice of the day (this is one of the only pintxo bars that I will make an effort to actually get a table and sit down for a proper meal — trust me — it’s totally worth the often hour+ wait, and you can always drink and snack at the bar while you wait!)

Amazing range of tapas all which appear to be of incredible quality. Prices here are a little above the norm, but enjoyed the dishes so much that price hardly mattered. We also appreciated the special attention provided to us when we stood at the bar as the server knew we needed assistance with ordering etc.
The place was crowded, but not to the point where it was difficult to order as is the case in some places around town.
All in all the tapas were tasty, creative and worth going out of your way for. Highly recommended.

Sur les recommandations d’une «locale» j’ai testé le lieux et je n’ai pas été déçue
Plusieurs possibilités, le bar classique avec sa terrasse face à l’église Santa Maria
passage animé et agréable
Le bar a pixos traditionnel à toutes heures de la journée malheureusement à notre arrivée (22h30 quand même) le choix était restreint mais suculent.
Le restaurant car on peut aussi y faire un vrai repas assis, avec de vraies serviettes en tissu comme à la maison …
Une ambiance animée très conviviale, un personnel adorable et vers minuit la lumière baisse et le son monte
Si vous voulez discuter en amoureux tranquille c’est foutu on est la pour la musique l’atmosphère festive
Ceci dit nous avons quand même bien dîner, très bonne viande rien à redire
Evidemment le week end c’est un peu bondé il faut prendre patience pour avoir une table car il n’y a pas de réservation
Prix un peu plus élevés que d’autres bar plus classiques

Local moderno que combina mesas y barras donde poder degustar de los mejores pintxos que hay en San Sebastián. Tienen buena música de fondo, que lo hace muy apropiado para ir con amigos para empezar la noche. Hay mucha variedad de pintxos en la barra y además tienen otros tantos calientes que hacen en el momento y además muy rápido. También tienen raciones, pero no probamos ninguna. Los pintxos rondann los 2 y pico a 45 €, pero la calidad es buenísima. Pedimos el foie plancha (hay varias fotos aquí en Unilocal), buenísimo, más que suficiente por el precio que tiene (5 €), y de pintxos fríos: bocadillín de bonito con anchoa y guindilla (buenísimo), salmón curado en casa con crema de vainilla y ralladura de lima (brutal).
Me fijé que detrás de la barra tenían carteles con el símbolo de «sin gluten», así que imagino que tendrán opciones para celiacos, aunque no lo pregunté.
En definitiva, una opción polivalente porque reúné la barra de pintxos para picar rápido y seguir con tu ruta, y mesas con oferta de raciones y pintxos más elaborados para pasar un rato más relajado. También tienen terraza, y están en una calle peatonal, lo que le da todavía más puntos.

Atari Gastroteka is a cool venue that’s a restaurant, pintxo bar, cocktail lounge and late night club. The place is located in the historic old town at a happening plaza in front of the old cathedral on Calle Mayor.
The bar has an extensive selection of just about anything you want to drink, but definitely focus on the wonderful array of gin tonics (the definitive cocktail to have in San Sebastian — reflective of the city’s passion for things British). The good-​natured mixologists behind the bar are real pros. Ask them for recommendations regarding the different versions of gin tonic’s they concoct.
You’ll be tempted by the many pintxos they put out on the bar top. Consider ordering the foie artesano if you are in a group or the pintxo de tosta de foie micuit if you’re alone or in a couple.
Late night (at 11pm or so) the lights dim and the place transforms into a hip cocktail lounge with excellent music in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy the eclectic music and an equally eclectic crowd.

***THERE ARE 2 RESTAURANTS CALLED ATARTI THAT ARE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER*** they are affiliated. Any ways, this review is for SIRIMIRI, not for Gastroteka. This place blew our minds. If you are a «foodie», make this the place to visit!!! Every thing from the service to the meal. Xoxo

What a fun, great pinxtons (tapas) restaurant in San Sebastian. It’s definitely a more relaxed feel, very chill. There were lots of sit down areas, some people had brought books/​newspapers etc. and were reading leisurely at their tables. However, there is also an area that is open where a bunch of people were dancing when I was there. Their best dish is definitely their tiny clams. They were perfect, probably the best clams I have ever had. Their low-​temperature cooked egg was also delicious! So many other options for pinxtos, lots of seafood options especially. Happy eating!

Chill bar vibe with so much goodness sitting on the counters! Pintxos for days! We grabbed 8 pintxos and 2 cañas con limon (beer with lemon). It was the first place we came to and we went again the next day. Everything is good, but if you stop by make sure to order the foie a la plancha. I haven’t had foie this good since NYC. I may go as far as to say that it’s the best I have had thus far.

Une valeur sûre à toute heure dans le vieux Donosti.
Pour le déjeuner, le dîner et même pour quelques copas, foncez chez Atari. Un grand choix de Gin Tonic délicieux préparés de façon experte (préférence pour le Nordés évidemment). Les pintxos sont délicieux (solomio et surtout les brochettes de langoustines).

J’ai un peu hésité entre trois et quatre étoiles, mais ce sera quatre car les pintxos étaient quand même très gouteux !
J’aurais mis trois étoiles pour :
— Le lieu est beau mais terriblement impersonnel, on a l’impression d’être dans un lieu à touristes (ce qui n’est pas le cas !)
— L’accueil est inexistant, ni un bonjour ni un sourire. Bref, ce n’est pas ce à quoi j’ai été habituée au pays basque tout ça !
— Les prix sont un poil élevés. Certains pintxos montent à 5 € la portion basique, autant que les raciones !
Je mets finalement quatre étoiles parce que :
— Les pintxos sont bons, voire même très bons ! Les préparations posées sur le pain sont cuisinées et bien assaisonnées, c’est un vrai plaisir !
— Les raciones sont très agréables à partager, notamment les incontournables patatas bravas qui étaient servies avec une sauce délicieuse !
— Le service (différent de l’accueil) est quant à lui très prévenant bien qu’un peu débordé.
— Le lieu est vraiment beau, fréquenté par les donostiarras, on s’y sent bien.
C’est donc un avis un peu en demi teinte, au final, Atari né vaut peut-​être pas un détour obligatoire, mais si vous êtes dans le coin vous passerez un bon moment !

This city just blows my mind. And this restaurant makes me weak in the knees. Atari was our first and favorite pintxo stop that night.
Upon arrival, you’re greeted by pintxo (tapas) galore on the countertop. Each and every one looks so amazing that it’s hard to know where to start. The drill is to get a plate from the guy behind the counter and put onto your plate whatever you want, order a glass of wine (we just said red and was given a GOOD glass), then pay with one the counter guys who tallies everything up. Each piece runs about 3 – 3.5 euros.
Let your eyes guide you. Happy grubbing!

I only need to eat 1 thing here to give this place 5 stars, foie plancha. it’ll either be your greatest discovery or the death of your waist line, but probably both.

Another really good pinxtoes house … we shared a goat’s cheese salad to start and then had the grilled octopus for two. It was excellent…
This is another popular spot so eating space is often at premium however do not be deterred as the food is worth the wait.
There is a very helpful attitude amongst the server group.
Another must visit!

Muy bueno todo, pero volveré para degustar otra vez la brocheta de langostino y también los postres!!! Los gin-​tonix tampoco desmerecen!!! La estética también está muy cuidada, y eso se agradece en un sitio q no nos pareció caro.

Horrific experience here led me to walking out before I even had a chance to order food.
I’m a kind person, and giving one star to a place is reserved for the truly bad of the bad. Again, this is not a review on the food, so you may not be interested in my grievances. Plus, the location of the place (next to a big church) guarantees that you will pass it and possibly stop here. Still, here you go:
Me, in Spanish, to a man behind the counter: «Excuse me, can you help us? Two of my friends and I don’t eat meat (carne). Can you point out the pinchos that we can eat?»
Him: «You can’t eat this, this, this, this, that, that…»
Me: «Ok hold on. Maybe you could just point out the ones without meat?»
Him: [points to a ham sandwich] «This one.» [Points to something with proscuitto] «This one.» [Points to one with fish] «This one…» and continues down the bar pointing to every sandwich with meat that he had just pointed to before, saying that we couldn’t eat it because they obviously had meat.
When he comes back I say, «Look, I just asked a small question. I can’t eat any of those. Do you not have anything without meat?»
Him: «You don’t want meat? Then eat ham.» His tone is agressive, his face is unsmiling, and he is clearly irritated by the fact that I am even talking to him.
It got to the point where I asked him about why he was talking to me like that and he started to say that how was he supposed to know that I was a vegetarian and didn’t want to eat fish either? It made no sense, and yet if things were being lost in translation, he was doing nothing to try to help clarify or accomodate us. Just said that I should apologize to HIM for not being clear enough.
I left totally confused and upset. Whatever chip he has on his shoulder hopefully won’t end up in your food if you eat here.

Atari was recommended to us by our Airbnb host, who said it was his favorite tapas place in the area. Despite the high expectations, we were not at all disappointed. Everything we had was outstanding.
* Salt cod croqueta — 2.5EUR for 3
The best salt cod croqueta I’ve had!
* Jamon croqueta — 2EUR for 2
* Anchovies, olives, guindilla peppers — 3EUR
* Egg cooked at a low temperature — 3.8EUR
This was divine. The server told us the egg was slow cooked in water that was 65 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes. It was served with mashed potatoes, croutons, and jamon. The different ingredients provided the perfect balance of creaminess and crunchiness, and the flavors worked so well together.
* Arroz del dia — 3.8EUR
The rice of the day had little chunks of seafood in it. The texture was perfect. One of the best rice dishes I had on my trip to Spain.
* Octopus with roasted potatoes, onions, pimiento peppers — 18.5EUR
The crowning glory of the meal. We knew we had to order this when we saw a server carrying a hot plate with a succulent tentacle past us to another table. The octopus, potatoes, and peppers were nicely seasoned with pimenton.
There were pintxos available at the counter for 2.5EUR/toothpick. We tried one with shrimp, tuna, and arugula wrapped in cured salmon. It was scrumptious!
We were also happy with the alcohol prices.
* Txakoli — 2EUR/​glass
The yummiest and fizziest txakoli I had in San Sebastian.
* Red wine — 2.5EUR/glass
There were 5 different kinds by the glass.

Ubicado frente a la iglesia de Santa María, en plena Parte Vieja donostiarra, este espacio de culto a la gastronomía y los buenos caldos pretende ser ‘un punto de encuentro parecido a una biblioteca, pero con comida y bebida’.