Tipping in San Sebastian: What You Need to Know
When you visit San Sebastian — or Donostia, as we call it in Basque — you’ll be diving into one of the most vibrant food cultures in Europe. Whether you’re hopping between pintxo bars in the Old Town or enjoying a Michelin-starred meal overlooking La Concha Bay, the question often pops up:
Do you tip in San Sebastian?
Let me, a local born and raised here, break it down for you with the honesty and practicality you’d expect from a true donostiarra.
Is Tipping Expected in San Sebastian?
No, tipping is not expected in San Sebastian — but it’s appreciated. In Spain, and especially in the Basque Country, service staff are paid decent wages. There’s no tipping pressure like in the U.S. or some other countries.
That said, small gestures go a long way, especially in the hospitality industry.
When and How Much Should You Tip?
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
At a café or pintxos bar
Tipping not required.
Locals often leave small change, like 10–20 cents, especially if they stay a while or are served at the table.
In a casual restaurant
Optional. Leave 5–10% if you’re happy with the service.
Round up the bill or leave a couple of euros.
Fine dining / Michelin-star restaurants
Not expected, but if you’re going high-end, tip 5–10%.
A discreet tip handed directly to the server is appreciated.
Hotel staff
Not a strong tipping culture, but for bellhops or room service, €1–2 is common if they go the extra mile.
Taxis
Locals often round up to the nearest euro. No one tips 10%.
Cultural Insight: Why Tipping Isn’t a Big Deal Here
San Sebastian is part of the Basque Country, where there’s a strong work ethic and a sense of pride in doing a job well — tip or no tip. Over-tipping can even make people uncomfortable. It’s not seen as rude not to tip; it’s just not part of the cultural norm.
Also: tips are rarely added to your bill, so don’t assume service is included — it simply isn’t expected.
Tourist Tip: Don’t Obsess Over It
If you’re stressing over whether to tip, don’t. Locals don’t. Just focus on enjoying the food, the views, and the people.
And if you really want to show appreciation? A smile, a “gracias” or “eskerrik asko” (thank you in Basque), and being polite goes further than a tip.
So, to sum it up: Tipping in San Sebastian is not required, not expected, but always appreciated; leave small change at bars and cafés, round up or tip 5–10% in restaurants if service is great, and don’t overthink it—locals certainly don’t.
Welcome to Donostia. We’re more into sharing food than calculating tips.