Most people love to start their day with coffee, and that doesn’t go away when you travel. If anything, the desire is stronger as you want to get to know all the little local loved spots for a morning cup-of-joe. Today’s topic bring us to the best coffee in San Sebastian.
Read on for our top picks if you’re heading to Donostia and craving your caffeine fix.
Where to find the best coffee in San Sebastian
Simona Specialty Coffee Club
Simona Specialty Coffee Club emerged after Sakona closed its doors. Setting up shop in the same building, the coffee masters from Mexico have left their mark on the specialty coffee scene in San Sebastian. Stop by for excellent artisanal coffee with popular items like cold brew and a wide range of cakes, toasts, plus vegan options. They even have a Michelada Brew on the menu occasionally.
LURKA
LURKA is the first “bean to bar”* chocolate shop in San Sebastián, and they also serve amazing coffee.
*A bean-to-bar shop is a type of chocolate shop where the entire chocolate-making process is carried out on-site, from sourcing the cacao beans to producing the finished chocolate bars.
Stop by for chocolate, coffee, or both!
Old Town Coffee
What started off as a passion project between two coffee-loving Brazilian friends has become a local favorite, known for some of the best coffee in San Sebastian. Old Town Coffee might always be packed, but despite the crowds, owners Márcio and Ricardo always find the time to strike up a friendly conversation with each customer. They specialize in single-origin coffees which are rotated on a seasonal basis to ensure quality, and offer a delicious selection of organic baked goods (with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options among them).
Kafe Botanika
A refreshing alternative to the sleek urban coffee houses springing up in every major city around Spain, Kafe Botanika will make you feel like you’ve wandered into an idyllic garden paradise. The bright, colorful space includes a gorgeous outdoor terrace, perfect for when you want to enjoy your coffee out in the fresh air on one of San Sebastian’s lovely spring or summer days. In addition to serving up some of the best coffee in San Sebastian, the cafe is also a full-service international vegan and vegetarian restaurant, and they even host live jazz performances regularly. There’s something for everyone at this beautiful little space!
Trikua Cafe
Part of being a responsible traveler is stepping out of your comfort zone, off the beaten path, and into the authentic local neighborhoods few tourists even know exist. Trikua Cafe is the perfect place for this. Located far from the tourist crowds in Antiguo, a historic hidden gem of a neighborhood just south of Ondarreta Beach, this sweet little spot is a haven of fabulous coffee, delicious homemade pastries, and some of the best pintxos this side of La Concha. Come enjoy some of the best coffee in San Sebastian at one of the humble neighborhood cafes locals know and love best.
Koh Tao
Named after the Thai island where founders Ana and Ainara first dreamed up the idea of opening a specialty coffee shop in San Sebastian, Koh Tao was one of the first cafes of its kind in the city. Today, it remains a reference for some of the best coffee in San Sebastian, serving up hundreds of cups every day. The cafe will make you feel like you’re hanging out in a good friend’s living room, with a cozy and friendly atmosphere in addition to delicious homemade drinks and food. If you’re hungry for more, be sure to stop by later in the day and enjoy a fabulous cocktail—they’re open until late!
Sakona Coffee Roasters (Or, the best coffee in San Sebastian you can take with you)
Spain’s very own five-time barista champion, Javier Garcia, stepped away from the competitive world to open Sakona, a minimalist-chic cafe located right on the river in the Gros neighborhood. Sadly, he eventually closed the doors to his coffee shop, but he’s still roasting coffee and you can order it on the Sakona online shop. It’s also a perfect foodie gift from San Sebastian!
Javier and his team source their coffee beans from all over the world and roast them onsite. That means you have a delicious international variety to choose from which promises excellent quality and some of the best coffee in San Sebastian (and Spain).
Update Notice: This post was updated on March 6, 2024.
Hello Lindsey, enjoy your life to the fullest, do what makes you happy! Speaking different languages is amazing but it needs two people who understand it, which requires its own ambience. I guess food and clothes have their own language too, if you listen carefully, they are saying lot of things,reading history of people and sharing experience of centuries. Coffee is one of those wonderful languages..very simple and sweet and it has an aroma :-))
Thanks for your comment Ali!