La Cuchara de San Telmo

La Cuchara de San Telmo has a well-deserved reputation for producing some of the best of modern Basque cuisine. You must include this on your itinerary.

With great quality comes popularity. The atmosphere is lively and the narrow bar fills up quickly. There’s nearly always a queue, so it’s a good idea to get here early. When the bar is packed it can take you a long time to place your order and find just enough elbow room to eat. You have to be patient here, but we’re sure you will be rewarded with some of the best food you have ever tasted.

In contrast to most pintxo bars in San Sebastián, everything here is made to order and so there aren’t any bar-top displays. You make your choices from the large blackboard behind the bar – have a look at this while you wait as the menu does change with the seasons. The bartender will ask your name and will write down your order before shouting it to the kitchen. As each dish emerges your name will be called, so pay attention!

Everything here is so good – tender suckling pig, rich veal cheeks in red wine, beautiful bacalao, the best scallops ever.

Some people find it difficult to locate La Cuchara de San Telmo. It’s just off 31 de Agosto, tucked away in the corner of Valle Lersundi and Santa Corda, in the shadow of the large wooden doors of the San Telmo museum. See the pictures below or download a map of the Old Town (PDF, 374k) showing the exact location.