The magic of Basque cuisine in London
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| Iberico croquettes and crab pintxos |
In the bustling neighborhood of Marylebone, a quiet gem awaits food lovers seeking a taste of northern Spain. Donostia, named after the Basque city of San Sebastián, is a sleek yet intimate restaurant that brings the flavors of Spain’s Basque Country right to the heart of London. Basque cuisine is renowned for its simplicity, yet it manages to be hearty and flavorful. The team at Donostia ensures that every dish retains the essence of Basque cuisine, with a local adaptation to make it more welcoming for the British palate.
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| Spinach tortilla |
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| Grilled peppers |
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| Tomato salad in olive oil |
Donostia’s menu is a well-balanced mix of traditional pintxos and heartier mains. The crab pintxo was excellent, topped with caviar to create a sweet and salty harmony, this dish won't look out of place in a pintxo bar in the Basque region. What impressed me was a salted cod tortilla, runny in the middle, with layers of creamy potato coasted by the egg yolk. The cod acted as a seasoning as well as extra texture, it was good enough that I didn't think the garlic aioli on top was needed. The main event of Galican ribeye steak was done in the manner of the legendary Bar Nestor in San Sebastian, served on a burning hot plate the steak was still cooking when it was served. It seared on the moisture with a smoky surface, very good but felt it would have been even better if it was cooked on the bone.
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| Galician ribeye |
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| Grilled Iberico pork shoulder |
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| Cod on squid ink rice |
The magic of Basque cuisine lies in its simplicity and love of quality ingredients—something Donostia has perfected. Every visit feels like a mini escape to the Basque coastline, without ever having to leave London. Donostia is more casual and simple than its sister restaurant Lurra on the same road, while Lurra focuses on Basque-style open-fire cooking in a more formal setting. Both have charm, so it depends on your mood and what you fancy.
Food 3.5/5
Average cost without drinks and services:
£70 (dinner)
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