San Sebastian Gastronomika
San Sebastian Gastronomika takes place Oct 5 - 7, 2026 in San Sebastian, Spain. The dress code is Smart casual for the congress floor; anything comfortable for the pintxos crawl. Typical cost ranges from 400 to 1000 EUR per person.
The 28th edition of one of the world's leading chefs' congresses fills the Kursaal auditorium with three-Michelin-star names presenting on stage, and 2026 celebrates 50 years of New Basque Cuisine under the slogan 'The spark that lit the fire', with Pierre Gagnaire, Michel Troisgros and Gaston Acurio confirmed. Around it hums the densest Michelin-star city in Europe and its legendary pintxos bars.
- When
- Oct 5 - 7, 2026
- Where
- San Sebastian, Spain
- Dress code
- Smart casual for the congress floor; anything comfortable for the pintxos crawl
- Cost
- Typical cost ranges from 400 to 1000 EUR per person.
- Weather
- 13 - 21C, mild Atlantic autumn, changeable with occasional rain
- When to book
- Register when passes open in summer; book Arzak, Mugaritz and Akelarre tables 2 - 3 months ahead
- Getting there
- EAS (San Sebastian), 20 min to the Kursaal; BIO (Bilbao) is the bigger hub, 1 hr 15 min by bus
- Where to stay
- Hotel Maria Cristina (Belle Epoque grande dame), Nobu Hotel San Sebastian (sleek beachfront luxury), Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra (classic value on La Concha)
- Official site
- https://sansebastiangastronomika.equinoccioeventos.com/en/
How to attend
Delegate passes are sold online via the official site - typically a few hundred euros for the full congress, with single-day options - and skew to industry professionals, though keen food lovers can register. No pass is needed to enjoy congress-week San Sebastian: walk the Parte Vieja pintxos circuit and book the city's starred tables far in advance.
Insider tip
Congress week is when the world's great chefs are loose in the Parte Vieja at night - the bar counters at Ganbara and Bar Nestor become impromptu industry parties.
Get inside San Sebastian Gastronomika
Booking matters here: register when passes open in summer; book Arzak, Mugaritz and Akelarre tables 2 - 3 months ahead. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.
Free while in beta. One email when your invitation is ready, nothing else.