Espazio Oteiza: where the Basque Country’s most beautiful sunsets are taken in, experienced, and enjoyed
Espazio Oteiza: where the Basque Country’s most beautiful sunsets are taken in, experienced, and enjoyed
At the top of Mount Igeldo of San Sebastián is Akelaŕe, a complex made up of a five-star hotel, a spa, and two gastronomic spaces: the Akelaŕe restaurant, which boasts three Michelin Stars, and Espazio Oteiza, a bar/restaurant whose name honors the sculptor Jorge Oteiza.
The Basque artist was a regular customer at Akelaŕe and, today, a sculpture by him crowns the entrance of Espazio Oteiza, an establishment made up of an indoor dining room, a private room that can be reserved, and a gardened terrace measuring 1,400 m2 – which, due to its volumes, shapes, and proportions, reminds one of the elaborate aesthetic theory that the creator championed.
The marinated fresh tuna belly with wasabi ice cream, the sea bass with green pepper sauce, the duck charlota with eggplant, and the rum rice pudding cake with fruits are some of the star dishes at Espazio Oteiza. Likewise, on the terrace, one can enjoy lighter snacks: pickled oysters, fried calamari with plankton mayonnaise, Iberian ‘5 Jotas’ ham croquettes, and the traditional pantxineta cake.
The wine list, specializing in national wineries with different designations of origin, is also remarkable and includes such interesting labels as Rimarts Gran Reserva 40 cava, the barrel-aged Remirez de Ganuza 2018 white wine, the Flamingo Rosé from 2020, and the Sierra Cantabria “Crianza” (aged for at least 2 years) from 2018.
Renowned bartender Patxi Troitiño, a teacher at the Basque Culinary Center, is the one who designs and makes the cocktails. Among his most popular creations are the Donosti Sunrise (rum, bittersweet blackberry syrup, cream, and La Concha railings in cinnamon), the Golden Turbulence (dry vermouth, elderflower, lime, sparkling wine, and gold rock), and the Spicy Gin Tonic (cryo-infused gin with pepper, tonic, spicy bitters, and red chili). These options are rounded off with a selection of seasonal cocktails and international classics.
In addition to the unparalleled menu at Espazio Oteiza (with its gourmet dishes, wines, and cocktails) and its modern architecture (by the Mecanismo Studio), there is the exceptional view of the Cantabrian Sea that the establishment offers from all angles. Enjoying the sunset in the stillness of this place is one of the Basque Country’s essential experiences.
Espazio Oteiza
Paseo Padre Orcolaga 56, San Sebastián.
Tel.: +34 683 434 756
