Kursaal

And the stage? None other than the Kursaal, that glassy landmark facing the Cantabrian Sea that every fall becomes a buzzing hive of ideas, aromas, and emotions. If you’ve been, you know: the moment you step inside, you’re in a universe where tradition meets innovation, where fire-grilled meats live side by side with avant-garde cuisine, and where every conversation can spark your appetite.

But here’s the secret: the feast doesn’t end at the Kursaal. It spills out into the streets, into the pintxo bars, into the city’s restaurants —and continues in the quiet elegance of a hotel in San Sebastián like Lasala Plaza Hotel, where you’ll enjoy the experience with the port and the bay right outside your window.

What is San Sebastián Gastronomika?

If you haven’t heard of this congress (though we doubt it), picture an annual gathering where the world’s most influential chefs cook live, share their secrets, debate the future of dining, and celebrate what unites us all: the joy of eating well.

Put simply: San Sebastián Gastronomika is a journey. A journey through cultures, techniques, and products that expands both your mind and your palate. And it happens in Donostia, a city that understands —perhaps better than any other— how to live gastronomy with passion.

The 2025 edition comes with a theme: “Tradition and Regeneration.” Two words that capture the spirit of the event perfectly — respect for the past, for our roots, and the drive to rethink and reinvent for the future.

Dates, venue, and how to get your tickets

When?

Save the dates: October 6, 7, and 8, 2025. Three full days packed with talks, tastings, workshops, and encounters.

Where?

At the Kursaal Conference Center, right across from Zurriola Beach. Its bold architecture and ocean views make it the perfect backdrop for a celebration of food as art.

Tickets & passes

Move fast — they sell out quickly:

3-day pass: €250. Includes access to the coveted Tasting Zone A (limited seating).
1-day pass: €100. Also with possible entry to Zone A if you get there early.

Early birds get the real perks:

The first 50 three-day passes come with an invite to the Opening Dinner at the stunning Miramar Palace.
Another 50 secure a spot at the Asador Gastronomika, an exclusive meal inside the Kursaal.
And another 50 will enjoy one of the special tastings during the congress.

Pro tip: don’t wait until the last minute.

The headliners: chefs from near and far

The lineup for San Sebastián Gastronomika 2025 reads like a dream menu. Just a few confirmed names are enough to make you book your ticket right away:

Mitsuharu Tsumura (Peru), chef of Maido, recently crowned the world’s best restaurant. His Nikkei cuisine —Japanese meets Peruvian— promises to be a highlight.
Heston Blumenthal (UK), the genius who redefined European cooking. When he talks, you listen; when he cooks, you remember.
Niklas Ekstedt (Sweden), the man who brought firewood and flames back to Nordic gastronomy.
Thalía Barrios (Mexico), a powerful voice for heritage cooking.
Viviana Varese (Italy), Mediterranean creativity with soul.
Luigi Pomata (Italy), master of the bluefin tuna.

And of course, the locals: Elena Arzak, Pedro Subijana, Eneko Atxa, and many more. A constellation of stars mixing with young talents and unsung producers who have plenty to say.

The program: a feast of ideas and flavors

This year’s theme, Tradition and Regeneration, comes alive in a program that touches every corner of gastronomy:

The mountains and the countryside: game dishes, pigeon, and wild boar from chefs who see territory as identity.
The sea: always a star — after all, Basque cuisine is unimaginable without it.
The producers: the unsung heroes tending vines, orchards, farms, and fishing boats.
Taverns and eateries: temples of authenticity that inspire the finest restaurants.
Tastings: wine, olive oil, jamón, cheese, spirits — all showing their full potential.

A congress that doesn’t stay up in the clouds of haute cuisine but dives down to the bar, the product, and the people.

Why San Sebastián Gastronomika 2025 will stand out

Every edition has its magic, but this one looks special for several reasons:

Guest destination: Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian city brings its energy, cultural mix, and festive approach to food.
Strong female presence. Voices like Elena Arzak, Maca de Castro, and Thalía Barrios will take the stage.
Real sustainability. Not just a buzzword — here it means genuine respect for product, craft, and environment.
Balance of local and global. From Basque grilling to Nikkei sushi to Nordic fire cooking.

How to experience Gastronomika your way

This isn’t just about sitting down and listening. Gastronomika is meant to be lived. Here’s how:

Wake up early. Zone A fills up quickly, and it’s the best seat in the house.
Plan your path. So many talks happen at once — choose wisely.
Leave room for surprises. The best conversations sometimes happen in the hallways.
Explore the city. The true backstage is in the Old Town, between pintxos and glasses of txakoli.
Rest well. Three intense days call for a proper refuge where you can switch off and recharge. That’s where your hotel choice matters.

Your perfect base: Lasala Plaza Hotel

Picture this: it’s the end of a long day at the Kursaal. Your head is full of ideas, your palate still buzzing with flavors from around the globe. You walk out, cross the Zurriola bridge, stroll for a few minutes, and arrive at your sanctuary: Lasala Plaza Hotel.

This isn’t just any hotel. Built in 1917 and lovingly restored, it breathes maritime history and contemporary elegance. From here, you look out over the fishing port, La Concha Bay, and the winding alleys of the Old Town. Everything that makes San Sebastián unique is right at your doorstep.

What you’ll find at Lasala Plaza Hotel

Rooms with views of the sea, the harbor, or the quiet plaza.
A style that blends Basque tradition with French refinement.
A rooftop terrace and inviting common areas where luxury means calm and serenity.

And the best part? You don’t need a car or public transport to get to the congress. Everything is within walking distance. Step outside, breathe the sea air, and in minutes you’re at the Kursaal.

Beyond the congress: Donostia in its purest form

If you’re coming for San Sebastián Gastronomika 2025, take time to lose yourself in the city:

The Old Town: legendary pintxo bars, a miniature festival of flavors.
La Concha and Ondarreta beaches: strolling the bay is a memory you’ll always carry with you.
El Peine del Viento: Chillida’s masterpiece where art meets the sea.
Local markets: like La Bretxa or San Martín, where daily life and gastronomy pulse together.

Because yes, Gastronomika is a feast. But Donostia, with its mix of sea, mountains, and tradition, is the full menu.

Conclusion

San Sebastián Gastronomika 2025 is far more than a food congress. It’s a global celebration of cuisine in a city that lives and breathes gastronomy. Three days to get inspired, to learn, to enjoy, and above all, to taste.

And to make the most of it, you’ll want to stay somewhere that shares the same values of elegance, calm, and authenticity: Lasala Plaza Hotel. Your perfect base in Donostia, where luxury is measured in details, breathtaking views, and the serenity you need between all the excitement.

So now you know: if you love food, if you want to feel Donostia at its core, and if you’re looking for a hotel in San Sebastián worthy of the experience, your date is set: San Sebastián Gastronomika 2025 and Lasala Plaza Hotel.

San Sebastián Gastronomika 2025: the feast that takes over Donostia