I´d take one of the classics, Akelarre of Pedro Subijana. The other excellent option is Arzak, the best in town. Both are in SS.

My favourite to enjoy the CLASSICAL top Basque cuisine is 'Casa Nicolasa' at Aldamar # 4, first floor (not the ground floor).

Great suggestions: 'kokotxas' (hake cheeks in sauce) and 'txangurro' (stuffed and baked spider crab).

Desserts: 'arroz con leche' (sweet pudding of rice with cinnamon) and 'tocino de cielo' --literal translation: bacon from heaven-- a sweet caramel cream made wiyh egg yolks.

I also like Casa Nicolasa for its classic Basque cuisine, buy you might also want to consider Kokotxa at Campanario, 11, in the old quarter of San Sebastian-Donostia. It received its firs Michelin star earlier this year and is offering an outstanding, all-inclusive €25 lunch menu. Daniel Lopez is an excellent chef.

www.restaruantekokotxa.com

I was hoping for more discussion around the absolute top restaurants. The first post was on the right track.

What about Mugaritz anyone? It was rated no. 4 restaurant in the world?

http://www.theworlds50best.com/2008_list.html

We also wanted to experience one of the very best restaurants while we stayed in SS. Based on the great reviews and ratings we chose Mugaritz. But we were slightly disappointed. Already the first impression wasn't the best. They offered us to have aperitif in the garden. We ordered drinks and waited about for about 15min. until they were served (with no appetizers - even in a normal bar in SS you get some olives or nuts with the drinks!). Then they handed out the menu. After we made our decision we waited for someone to take the order. Nobody appeared, even after our glasses had been empty for a while. We had the impression that they had forgotten us and finally - becoming more and more hungry - we decided to go inside the restaurant to be served. Afterwards service was fine, but this first impression remained. Some of the dishes were innovative and good, but many weren't much impressing. For instance we had 3 consecutive courses with fish or seafood in a bouillon - rather boring! And there was one dish with kind of chard vegetables - barely eatable!

We have eaten in top class restaurants in many countries which have been much more impressing. I cannot understand why Mugaritz should be no. 4 worldwide! But maybe we just chose the wrong day to eat there...

dpase,

gastroville.com/archives/spain/000005.html