La Cepa de Bernardo — Restaurant in San Sebastián

Stopped in for a proper meal (rather than tapas) in their dinning room. Ordered the lamp chops and a mixed salad. The lamp was rather mediocre ... over-cooked and thin. The salad was large with egg, tuna, and much more .. which I didn't expect from a simple mixed salad and I sadly couldn't finish it. My big complaint is about the wine I ordered. I saw a bottle of 2011 Amaren Tempranillo on the list for 52 Euros and was thrilled about it since I like this wine better when it had some time to age. The server brought the bottle out and opened it before I noticed that it was a 2021. When I mentioned that the wine list showed a 2011 vintage, they pretty much ignored my comment. Also, I found it a bit unusual that the price was just the same for the much younger wine was the same. Anyways, I think it would be easy to update the wine list to actually reflect the wine they...

Unfortunately i have to leave a rating which is not good as most of the others.

We made reservation for the restaurant due to the fact that the front part of the bar is reserved for Pintxos (very cosy and traditional though) and we wanted full dinner and a bit more quiet place. When we came to the table there were already two little breads on the table which we considered as included service. The service itself was quite rough. For the prices the quality of the food is decent but the quantity left us both hungry (which is a bit pity for 26 Euro p.p.). When it came to the bill i noticed that both breads were billed seperately as well as the small salad (9 Euro) which we considered as part of the dinner. During the paying process the waitress was obviously disappointed that we gave a little less than 10 % tip and even asked if i am serious, which also left a...

Oh what a difference a year makes. The whole of Old Town was on a journey to being a tourist trap. It has arrived. Even La Cepa. I’m heartbroken. 5 Stars become 1.

For the record - from last year.

This is my favourite place to be in Donostia. In the 5 times I have come to the city over the last 20 years, La Cepa always provides the best food and the best community atmosphere of real San Sebastián. Unpretentious, busy, noisy, good humoured. The variety of food and drink is fantastic. You can eat at the bar or in the restaurant. Service is experienced and courteous (especially to those tourists who may find the whole exchange a little intimidating at first). There’s lots and lots of choice in the old town - but La Cepa continues the tradition of the revered family restaurant and bar under its...