Sukaldean Aitor Santamaría - Donostia / San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa

Aleta L.

BAR La Capella de Sukaldean review.
This was an unforgettable experience which I hope to share many times with my clients. It could be BETTER if the food, service and communication by Instagram is improved.

The bar is in the chapel of the former St Martin Convent. It’s a spectacular setting for drinks and snacks. I found it through my phone app, “Pintxos - the Starred Chefs List”. Google Maps does NOT have a marker for the bar, only the restaurant and the hotel. Fortunately, the restaurant website provides a user-friendly menu!

I sent a message by Instagram to the restaurant to ask if I needed a reservation for the bar. No reply. I asked my host, Pension Ur-Alde, to call for me. They were told that the bar does not require reservations.

On Saturday at 1:30 pm, the bar was staffed by only 1 gentleman. He worked hard and was busy busy all the time. He did his best to prepare drinks, take orders and serve the snacks but it was really too much for 1 person. He needed help.

To make things easier for everyone, I pointed at the list of pintxos and ordered “2 of everything”.

The server delivered our orders, two by two, but he didn’t say what he was giving us. It would have been very easy - and very helpful - to just say the name of the dish. Sometimes it was obvious (like the Gilda olives on the cute tree), but other times we were guessing.

A few things were mysteries to us. We didn’t know the name and there was no particular taste. I will title those pictures as “Mystery food”.

Somehow, my 93 yo mother enjoyed this experience the most! She appreciated the creativity and craftsmanship. She really loved the chapel.

Robert K.

We stayed at the hotel and had both lunch and dinner at the restaurant. The whole experience was beyond amazing. The food is spectacular, the service, the attention to detail. A big shoutout to the sommelier who was very experienced and attentive. We had a’la carte selection for lunch and the tasting menu for dinner. Both options we recommend equally.

Legion O. E.

The food was delicious, and tasting, it left me with no words, recommend this for next year spring 2026, and definetly come back.

Anna C.

Absolutely perfect dinner we had.
Despite dining in on the night of a public holiday and we booked at the last minute, they took their time and served us with a great care, they didn't neglected us for a minute and they didn't appear to be rushing around and acting busy to us, we had a great time with a great meal.

We wanted to eat a basque dinner and we were not sure what to order so I asked for their recommendation, then they selected the dishes perfectly. It started with a lot of entrees, mini sushis and a mashed potato ball (I assume), then fish soup, grilled turbot which is a locally famous fish.

The performance was also amazing, and thee service and care by the waiters were fabulous. I couldn't ask for more. We would love to go back if we have a chance and I recommend this place 100%.

Stuart S.

Ordered the full tasting menu. Overall hit and miss. My advice is slim down the menu, trying to be too many things. Focus on getting the sauce combinations right and dropping the many dishes that don't work (ie clams). The value is Ok (I'd pay alot more in other cities). The wine was great and the service attentive and friendly. It's saveable!

Sayaka K.

We had a breakfast there. Unlike what the website says, the breakfast menu was not available. It was just buffet without warm stuff. The website should be updated to provide accurate information to customers.

The receptionist at the buffet was nice and she told us we could order the warm stuff to the staff who would come bring coffee and tea. He brought only coffee, didn’t ask for our preference and did not agree to get us warm stuff which should be included in the breakfast price.

The table was dirty to begin with, the milk cup was dirty but the staff who brought coffee didn’t care and just poured milk into the dirty cup.

The buffet counters were 70% empty as you can see in the photos. Where the drinks were placed was flooded with spilled water and drinks. Nobody came to clean it.

The shrimp’s guts were intact. It is supposed to be taken out before served.

The lemon cake was so dry it crumbled as soon as I picked it up.

I felt sorry for the hotel guests.

David S.

Delicious meal, fantastic value for the price. Staff were very attentive. Wine list was extensive and the sommelier helped us select excellent options. One thing I wish was different would be for the lighting to be slightly less bright, but overall a 5 star experience.

Jess B.

We’ve been eyeing up Sukaldean for a couple months because of their Japanese/Basque fusion and when we finally visited they did not disappoint! The service is lovely and the sommelier excellent- you can tell they are gunning for a star. We were both blown away by the food. The crab maki tempura was by far our favourite. We will definitely be back!