My boyfriend and I wanted to experience a "real" sidrería where we have to line up and have cider spilling all over us. We'll have a rental car and will be staying overnight in Hondarribia.

Maribel's Guides suggested Donostiarra in San Sebastian, but if we're willing to drive a little (30 min. max) do you think we should seek something outside of town? MB mentioned Illumbe and it sounds just what we're looking for with long wooden tables, rough hewn walls, and huge chuletons but it looks a little far. Would you drive out to Illumbe (outside Usurbil) or just stay in town? Any other suggestions?

I could be wrong but I think these are seasonal....what month are you planning the visit?

A number of good, if not great, cider houses can be found throughout the Basque Country, but the most renowned are in and around San Sebastian. One of the most famous is the Barkaizteti cider house.

The new season is celebrated in January each year and the celebration continues until the 1st of April, but you can sample excellent cider at any of the Sidras (Asadors) throughout the year.

Thanks Robert (and ekscrunchy),

A sidras and an asador are the same thing? You earlier had mentioned an asador near the AC Zizur in Pamplona --is this a cider house too? I will google Barkaizteti for more info, this sounds close by San Sebastian which would be convenient. thanks again. If anyone has any favorites, please share.

Robert -- is there an alternative spelling to Barkaizteti, I can't find anything?

Some asadors are cider houses, some not, but most offer cider. One of our favorite cider houses is located just outside of Pamplona, the Restaurante Errota, and a beautifully restored stone water mill in the village of Aoiz. Another excellent asador is the Restaurante Etxeberria in the village of Goldaraz, in the hills west of Pamplona (reservations required).

Finally, considered by many to be one of the best in the Basque County and Navarra, is the Asador Epeleta in Lecumberri-Lekunberri, 35 kms northwest of Pamplona on the road to San Sebastian, the A15.

Barkaizteti is a Basque name, and they do not have a web page. Typical of a number of places, it is named after the street, Barkaizteti, 42 (Martutene), San Sebastian-Donostia. Tel: 943 451 304 Fax: 943 460 195.

They have, or had 9 euro Menu del día last summer. The regular menu is around 30 euros.

Enjoy.

Bookmarking!!!!

I don´t know if I´m late for this thread, but anyways here goes my recommendation. I think "real" sidrerias are located on the outskirts of SS. Have a look at this site with a list of sidrerias, some of them with their own site.

http://www.sagardotegiak.com/en_sagardotegiak.htm

I have only been to a few of them but would recommend Altzueta, Gurutzeta and Bereciartua. Urkiola, is in San Sebastian (10 min.taxi ride from city center) and is also one of my fav!

hope this helps!
cristina

Thanks for the great link cristina.
If we go in mid May, will the cider be served in bottles -- it sounds like the ritual of tasting from the barrels ends in April, as suggested by Robert?

I am not sure about the others but in Petrietegi barrels are open all year round, at least, in may for sure!