La Cuchara de San Telmo is a modern basque pintxos restaurant in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián.
Editorially verified May 20, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Private tour · 3.5 hours
Explore San Sebastian on a private tour with an expert guide. Enjoy a pintxos tasting, a glass of txakoli wine, and a private visit to the San Telmo Museum.
Day trip · 5 hours
Experience the Basque Country on a VIP journey from San Sebastián. Enjoy a helicopter flight, a guided walking tour of Hondarribia, and a pintxos tasting with local wines.
Guided tour · 4.5 hours
Embark on a culinary journey in San Sebastián. Walk through the charming old town to our "gastronomical club," where you'll create and savor 4 pintxos, a Basque cheese...
Address: Calle 31 de Agosto 28, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, San Sebastián
Ganbara on San Jeronimo in San Sebastian's Old Town has run the Martinez-Ortuzar family kitchen since 1984, anchored by an autumn mushroom counter.
OrderThe autumn setas counter with egg yolk; spider crab baked in its shell.
TipCounter walk-in, basement takes reservations. October to December is peak mushroom season.
Bar Martinez on Calle 31 de Agosto in San Sebastian's Old Town has been a shellfish pintxo bar since 1942, now in its third generation with a long counter.
OrderAny pintxo de marisco from the counter; the seared octopus.
TipBusy from 13:00 and 21:00. No reservations. Weekends and August are extremely crowded.
Casa Alcalde on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian's Old Town is a long-running classic kitchen of jamon-and-tortilla pintxos, charcuterie and a working-day menu.
OrderA plate of jamon iberico at the counter; the menu del dia at the back tables.
TipOpen daily; the lunch menu del dia is good value at 16 euros. Counter is busy from 13:00 onwards.
Ganbara on San Jeronimo in San Sebastian's Old Town has run the Martinez-Ortuzar family kitchen since 1984, anchored by an autumn mushroom counter.
OrderThe autumn setas counter with egg yolk; spider crab baked in its shell.
TipCounter walk-in, basement takes reservations. October to December is peak mushroom season.
Antonio Bar on Bergara in San Sebastian's Centro is the locals' tortilla room, with a deep-caramelised 28-egg tortilla and the canonical double-anchovy.
OrderA wedge of the tortilla; the double-anchovy gilda; espresso to finish.
TipTortilla finishes by 14:30 most days. Counter is small and stand-only.
Bar Bergara on General Artetxe in San Sebastian's Gros, since 1950, sets out one of the most decorated miniature-cuisine pintxo counters in the city.
OrderThe Txalupa gratin of prawn and mushroom; a wedge of the tortilla de anchoas; a glass of Txakoli.
TipWalk in at the counter; small street terrace fills first. Closed Wednesdays.
Bar Martinez on Calle 31 de Agosto in San Sebastian's Old Town has been a shellfish pintxo bar since 1942, now in its third generation with a long counter.
OrderAny pintxo de marisco from the counter; the seared octopus.
TipBusy from 13:00 and 21:00. No reservations. Weekends and August are extremely crowded.
Bideluze on Plaza Gipuzkoa in San Sebastian's Centro is one of the city's breakfast institutions, retro-tiled floors, sit-down service and a counter.
OrderThe morning tortilla and cafe con leche; a pintxo of jamon at midday.
TipBreakfast service from 08:00; the plaza terrace is the calmer morning seat.
Casa Alcalde on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian's Old Town is a long-running classic kitchen of jamon-and-tortilla pintxos, charcuterie and a working-day menu.
OrderA plate of jamon iberico at the counter; the menu del dia at the back tables.
TipOpen daily; the lunch menu del dia is good value at 16 euros. Counter is busy from 13:00 onwards.
