Txotx overlooking the bay

Basque cider is an essential part of the way of life in Donostia/San Sebastián, which is regarded as the capital of cider. Just a few minutes from the city centre, the cider houses are keeping one of the Basque Country’s most time-honoured traditions alive: the txotx. 

This ritual involves opening the “kupela” and serving the cider straight from the barrel. The cider is the accompaniment to a traditional three-course meal featuring typical dishes such as cod omelette, cod with peppers or a charcoal-grilled ribeye steak, served with Idiazabal cheese, walnuts and quince jelly.

Visiting a cider house means immersing yourself in a time-honoured, celebratory tradition. It’s about sharing a table, an atmosphere and a culture; an unmissable experience for anyone wishing to discover the essence of Basque cuisine.