This place has pure San Sebastián icon status. Always packed, La Cuchara de San Telmo is where locals, wine lovers and food obsessives squeeze in shoulder-to-shoulder, and no one minds. The space is tiny (around 12 meters), with an open kitchen that fills the air with the scent of sizzling pork and seared tenderloin. The menu is tight, inventive, and unforgettable. Start with the slow-braised beef cheek in red wine jus or the Galician-style octopus grilled and topped with chimichurri. The real star? The crispy, boneless cochinillo from Leitza, roasted low and slow in beer. Order that—then order it again.
Laia, the 7th Best Grill Restaurant in the World is a grill-based fine-dining restaurant half an hour outside San Sebastián and a few steps away from the French border. It is run by the Ayala siblings, Jon and Arantza. Jon is the head chef and expert on meat ageing. Arantza will advise you on the best wine and cheese pairings. Their expertise and passion lie in the grill and the distinct ceremonies that occur when cooking meat, fish, veggies and fruits. Visit for lunch and commence the journey at their wine cellar, waltz around their gardens (where you will see all their produce) and munch on as much Txuleta PREMIUM TOP as possible, it's unparalleled.
