La Cuchara de San Telmo, a tucked-away gem in San Sebastián, serves up avant-garde pintxos like melt-in-your-mouth foie gras and crispy suckling pig that keep both locals and tourists coming back for more.
"If you weren’t specifically looking for La Cuchara de San Telmo, you’d probably miss it. This pintxo bar is down a nondescript alley and has a chalkboard with a brief but exciting list of dishes like seared foie gras, charred octopus, and tender beef cheek. This place pioneered the hot pintxo, and after 20 years, continues to prepare food that looks (and tastes) straight off the menu of any fine dining restaurant." - Marti Buckley
"This narrow, somewhat hidden bar is known for its hot, made-to-order dishes that get scribbled on a big chalkboard. And even though La Cuchara is quite casual, the pintxos here look straight out of a fine dining spot with their abstract plating and swirls of colorful sauces. This more modern approach to Basque cooking has proven to be quite popular among locals and travelers, which explains why it gets so crowded here. Have your order ready by the time you squeeze your way to the counter and get lots, because everything we’ve had is exceptional. Some highlights include the tender veal cheeks that fall when you dig your fork in, crackly pieces of suckling pig that shimmer like caramels, and a very generous portion of seared foie gras on a sweet apple compote. " - sylvio martins
"If you weren’t specifically looking for La Cuchara de San Telmo, you’d probably miss it. This pintxo bar is down a nondescript alley and has a chalkboard with a brief but exciting list of dishes like seared foie gras, charred octopus, and tender beef cheek. This place pioneered the hot pintxo, and after 20 years, continues to prepare food that looks (and tastes) straight off the menu of any fine dining restaurant. " - marti buckley
"There may come a point during your visit to Borda Berri when things get overwhelming. This tiny pintxo bar gets packed, forcing you to elbow your way through a sweaty crowd so you can shout your order at a waiter who’s too busy refilling glasses to look at you. But trust us—they don’t miss a beat. It’s organized chaos that ends with some of the best hot pintxos in San Sebastián. Owned by the La Cuchara de San Telmo people, Borda Berri also makes its grilled and braised dishes to order, like beef cheeks slow-cooked in red wine until they collapse under your fork and tender, garlicky pig’s ears with glossy skin that shatters like candy. If you’re looking for a great meatless option, get the creamy orzo risotto made with nutty idiazábal cheese." - Sylvio Martins
"A Perfect Scallop At La Cuchara de San Telmo, on the corner of the plaza Valle Lersundi in San Sebastian, the specialties were hot pintxos, quickly prepared to order--from the menu or the specials board, or by pointing to what your neighbor was eating. This was one of best scallops I have ever tasted. But then, so was the second one we had when we returned after another hour or so of pintxo bar hopping in the Parte Vieja (Old Town)."
