DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN - PARTE VIEJA - LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO

Aug 14, 2025
3 min read

LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO

We visited one of our favourite pintxo bars in the old town of San Sebastián. It’s located in a side alley off 31 de Agosto Kalea, at the back of the historic city. It’s definitely worth seeking out, so don’t hesitate to walk in, even if it’s busy. Thankfully, we were no longer under COVID-19 restrictions, and everything had returned to normal.

The list of pintxos looked very inviting indeed.

The small kitchen staff were hard at work, as usual.

We made our way to the bar and indulged in our favourite pintxo: cochinillo, or suckling pig.

The dish met the usual high standards, featuring wonderfully crispy skin and juicy meat.

Next up was the foie con compote de manzana (foie gras with apple compote).

Oreja de cerdo ibérico (Iberian pig’s ear).

Carrilleras de ternera (veal cheeks).

Risotto cremoso de txipiron en salsa tinta alioli de ajo (creamy baby squid risotto (orzo pasta, not rice) in squid ink and garlic alioli sauce).

A few glasses of Rioja helped us enjoy the delicious food even more.

Seeing the place so busy again was excellent, with the bar area full to bursting.

In October 2021, they were still subject to COVID-19 restrictions, which meant no standing at the bar and seating was only available on the outside terrace. This somewhat spoils the ambience, but it is what it is.

Although we were first in the queue, we still waited 20 minutes. Eventually, we were seated on the terrace side and started with very tender carrilleras de ternera (veal cheeks).

Wonderful cochinillo (suckling pigs)

Foie (which was a little big and would have been better cut into four pieces, then grilled).

We had a bottle of 12 Tablas Crianza, which was decent for €13.

The food was as good as ever, but you missed the interaction at the bar.

The following are from a 2019 visit when things were normal.

Unlike most pintxos bars, you won’t find any cold pintxos on bread displayed on the bar here. All the pintxos are served hot and made to order. You can place your order from the blackboard menu located behind the bar.

There is a printed menu now,

as well as the blackboard.

Weekends and special events, such as the San Sebastián film festival, can be very busy.

A few excellent pintxos to try include:

Sopa fría de tomate con jamón y Idiazábal (cold tomato soup with jamón and Idiazábal (Basque cheese) Foie gras salteado compota manzana (foie gras sauteed with apple sauce).