"A Parte Vieja anchovy bar since 1972, serving vinegar-cured boquerón pintxos a dozen ways — the spider-crab one rewards any solo pintxos crawl."
Bar Txepetxa is the Parte Vieja's reference anchovy bar, family-run on Arrandegi Kalea since 1972. It built its name on a single, disciplined idea: vinegar-cured white anchovies (boquerón) from the Cantabrian Sea, served cold on toasted baguette with a choice of a dozen toppings.
It is a fixed stop on any San Sebastián pintxos crawl, usually woven in with the txuleta-and-mushroom counter Borda Berri and the classic Bar Gandarias nearby.
The house formula is a recently toasted slice of baguette, two glistening anchovies and your chosen topping — the pepper-and-onion jardinera or the prized spider-crab cream (crema de centollo) being the ones regulars steer you toward. Each pintxo runs around €3–4.
It is some of the best Spanish bar seafood snacking in the city, and reportedly converts even committed anchovy-doubters.
It is a small, no-frills bar — a standing counter, a handful of tables, tile and wood. The focus is entirely on the anchovy pintxos coming out of the kitchen, not on decor; this is old-school Donostia, not a designed room.
A standing counter and pintxos by the piece make Txepetxa ideal for solo dining on a pintxos crawl, and it is a low-pressure, characterful stop for an early first date.
Not for a sit-down, multi-course dinner or anyone who dislikes oily fish — this is a standing pintxos counter built entirely around cured anchovies.
Vinegar-cured white anchovy (boquerón) pintxos, served cold on toasted baguette with a choice of about a dozen toppings — the spider-crab cream and pepper-onion jardinera are the classics.
Around €3–4 per anchovy pintxo, with a roughly €15 minimum for card payment. It is one of the better-value stops on a San Sebastián pintxos crawl.
At Arrandegi Kalea 5 in the Parte Vieja (Old Town). It opens for lunch and dinner services Tuesday to Saturday and is closed Sunday and Monday.
No — it is a walk-in standing bar. Arrive at the start of a service for a spot at the counter, as it fills quickly during peak pintxos hours.
No reservations; walk-in standing counter.
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Txepetxa is a fixed stop on our San Sebastián pintxos crawl for anchovies.
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