Azcoitia 最佳餐厅

Martín Berasategui

★★★ Michelin€€€€Creative

As a subtle tribute to his father, Martín Berasategui has based the logo of his restaurant on his own handwritten signature, but he could well have his name up in gold lettering! Berasategui considers himself to be merely a 'conveyor of happiness' who owes his success to the passion and effort that he always puts into his work, the unwavering support of his wife (Oneka Arregui) and, as he himself says, his incredible team. In this elegant space with no shortage of relaxing views of the surrounding countryside, diners can experience a hedonistic approach to cuisine that is highly original and c

Akelaŕe

★★★ Michelin€€€€Creative, Traditional Cuisine

With his impressive CV and distinctive moustache, chef Pedro Subijana is an icon of the restaurant scene and as such commands the utmost respect. As one of the founding fathers of the New Basque Cuisine movement, he believes in constant evolution, and even if the focus here is squarely on creativity and technique his approach is rooted in traditions that should never be forgotten.Located inside the spectacular hotel of the same name on Mt Igueldo (with two Michelin Keys), Akelaré continues to impress with its interior design, views of the Bay of Biscay and meticulous cuisine. After celebrating

Arzak

★★★ MichelinLa Liste 99分€€€€Traditional Cuisine, Contemporary

This restaurant is a real institution in San Sebastián as it obtained its first Michelin star in 1974 and has just celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Michelin fold. Hospitality, history and modernity converge in this century-old family mansion in Alto de Miracruz, a culinary mecca run by the tandem of Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena (the latter taking over the reins in magnificent fashion) who have succeeded in perfectly combining the most surprising innovations with expertise rooted in Basque tradition. The creativity, presentation and intense flavours of their dishes are the resul

Azurmendi

★★★ MichelinLa Liste 98.5分€€€€Creative

A flagship of Vizcaya’s fine-dining scene and a leading light in conscious gastronomy, Azurmendi is a shining example of how to work with the environment around us. To do this, it has adapted its architecture and produce, and integrated new technologies in its quest to become a responsible restaurant business that aims to cook for a better future. Chef Eneko Atxa nurtures a sapling of the Tree of Gernika at the entrance of the restaurant in a manifestation of his desire to preserve the area's indigenous flora and fauna, to safeguard the values of Basque culture, and to offer guests a creative

Amelia by Paulo Airaudo

★★ Michelin€€€€Creative, Italian and Japanese

Argentine chef Paulo Airaudo’s flagship restaurant has set a new course following its move to the iconic Hotel Maria Cristina (one MICHELIN Key), which boasts over a century of history, elegance, and distinction. Here, at the mouth of the Urumea River and practically across from the Kursaal, the Amelia restaurant aims to continue growing through a contemporary-creative cuisine where flavour takes centre stage and, above all, leaves no one indifferent. The approach, rich in nuances, draws inspiration from the Cantabrian Sea, its primary source of inspiration, featuring an open kitchen and a spe

Mugaritz

★★ Michelin€€€€Innovative

Mugaritz is much more than a restaurant, offering food-enthusiasts a very different dining experience. Here, absolutely everything is questioned, hence the focus on both individual and general tastes to the extent that, in the words of the chef, “the experience is as much playful as it is gastronomic”. The intentions of Andoni Luis Aduriz, who likes nothing more than breaking the rules, can be seen in a small glossary placed on your table, detailing terms defined by the chef, his staff and even his customers in a cooperative endeavour to add meaning to the dining experience. Dishes, many of wh

Ekaitza

★★ Michelin€€€€Creative, Modern Cuisine

The location, on the docks of Ciboure overlooking the port, is eminently suited to a restaurant called "storm" (ekaitza in Basque). The eatery’s interior, meanwhile, is bright and lively and furnished with bespoke tables from which you can steal glances of the kitchen to the rear. Guillaume Roget magnifies the best of the Basque region, in particular fish from the market opposite. Creative, uncluttered dishes, savvily balanced seasonings and fine produce matched with delicate sweet, tangy or vegetable notes embody the chef’s signature. His flair for deep, intense sauces will knock your socks o

Elkano

★ Michelin全球50最佳 #28€€€€regional

There are some people who think that grilling over a wood fire is something akin to cooking in prehistoric times! In Getaria, this tradition does not quite go back this far, but historical documents exist that show that this type of cooking is part of its gastronomic heritage. To fully understand this restaurant, we must mention Aitor Arregi, as well as the first Elkano opened by his father, and, of course, what they refer to here as its “culinary landscape”. Elkano perpetuates the values of a restaurant that is indelibly linked to the sea and those in the fishing industry who work every day t

Ama

★ Michelin€€€Contemporary, Regional Cuisine

Under the slogan ‘What’s local will protect us’, this spacious, comfortable, modest restaurant, with its glass-fronted kitchen, is committed to modern cuisine with a limited range products to enhance the clarity of each flavour. Here gastronomy is seen as an opportunity to bring the dishes of the farmhouses into the modern day without the need to overcomplicate things too much, for us to enjoy a good meal and, practically always, based on seasonal raw ingredients from reliable local suppliers.Chefs Gorka Rico and Javier Rivero present their proposal through two tasting menus, Gure Lurra and Gu

Etxebarri

★ Michelin€€€€Grills

Food-lovers flock to this temple of cuisine like pilgrims to a religious shrine in order to unearth the secrets of flame-grilled cooking that have been mastered by Etxebarri’s owner-chef Bittor Arginzoniz, the life and soul of this restaurant and someone who has invested everything in his dream here. His particular vision for life and for work resulted in him restoring this 18C country house in his home village, Axpe-Atxondo, at the foot of Mt Anboto. His unique cuisine focuses on top-quality grilled dishes using different types of wood (holm oak, vine shoots, oak from old barrels etc), utensi

Txispa

★ Michelin€€€€Creative, Contemporary

Can Japanese techniques be merged with grill work, like in a Basque steakhouse? Japanese chef Tetsuro Maeda, who has restored a century-old farmhouse in a small village where you can hear the silence, resoundingly shows us that you can, committing to simplicity based on exceptional products (they work with seasonal vegetables from their own garden, mushrooms and wild plants harvested in the surrounding mountains) that reveal surprising nuances. Kabayaki eel, caviar with tofu (chickpea tofu with hot-smoked caviar on kombu), Txuleta of old and matured beef, sakura flan from their own cherry tree

Itzuli

★ Michelin€€€Contemporary, Modern Cuisine

Inside the Luze San Sebastián boutique hotel, at the top of Mount Igueldo, this restaurant hides its proposal under a Basque term that could be translated as ‘to return’ or ‘to come back’. Chef Iñigo Lavado, after two decades of success in Irun, has set up the project with his family (his wife, Arantxa Martínez, is in charge of the dining room and one of his sons, Julen, is a professional sommelier), trying to convey to diners, in his own words, a culinary style... ‘of time, stories and a lot of emotion’. In his elegant Belle Époque style dining rooms, with large windows to enjoy the sea views

Kokotxa

★ Michelin€€€€Modern Cuisine

Located in the heart of the old town, between the port and the Santa María del Coro basilica, this restaurant bears a name that pays homage to one of the finest dishes in Basque cuisine, prepared with the delicious barbels of either hake or cod. In this pleasant eatery, run by the duo of Daniel López in the kitchen and Estela Velasco front of house, you’ll enjoy contemporary cuisine inspired by strong Basque traditions and the use of the very best market ingredients which are meticulously and masterfully prepared. The chef here likes to introduce influences from other cultures (Japan, India, T

iBAi by Paulo Airaudo

★ Michelin€€€€Basque

This centrally located restaurant, which was a popular name in local cuisine under the baton of chef Alicio Garro, has had a new lease of life thanks to award-winning chef Paulo Airaudo, who brings with him his personal vision of classic recipes.The bar at the entrance is still here, serving ‘pinchos’ made on the spot, and is perfect for an informal glass of wine. Added to this is the small dining room in the basement, featuring six impressively sized tables, each of which comes with its own ’cupboard’. The cuisine, which comes courtesy of two tasting menus (Errekea and Ibaia) to which you can

Boroa

★ Michelin€€€Traditional Cuisine, Modern Cuisine

A visit to this charming restaurant is like travelling back in time and absorbing the essence of that green and timeless Euskadi that comes to mind when we think of the region... And no wonder, it occupies a 15th-century farmhouse that opens out onto the valleys and mountains of the surroundings from its pleasant terrace.In its elegant interior, with a rustic atmosphere as a consequence of the original wooden structure being preserved, you will be offered a traditional à la carte with a modern twist, which extols the roots of Basque gastronomy (the seasonal dishes, such as mushrooms or pigeon,

La Revelía

★ Michelin€€Regional Cuisine, Contemporary

Many will think that its location in the heart of the countryside, approximately 4 miles north of Amorebieta-Etxano, only provides disconnection, relaxation and natural beauty; however... it is the basis of its entire culinary philosophy! In the Agroturismo Azkarraga, an old farmhouse renovated with a Nordic aesthetic and which today also has five cosy rooms, this restaurant dazzles with its interior design, minimalist in concept and with large windows that frame the environment so that the wonderful surrounding landscape enters the room. The chef Fernando González champions a modern cuisine,

Garena

★ Michelin€€€€Contemporary

If you’re on the lookout for a unique dining experience, head to this delightful 17th-century “baserri” (traditional country house) surrounded by vineyards and boasting impressive views. It also features some unusual ancestral customs before each sitting.Choose between the charming “taberna” offering a more informal menu, the fine-dining restaurant on the first floor, and a private space (usually reserved for groups) on the floor above. Chef Julen Baz showcases modern Basque cuisine with a firm focus on tradition and locally sourced ingredients and a penchant for grilled dishes. The proposal,

Eneko

★ Michelin€€€Creative

This homage to chef Eneko Atxa’s origins has a surprising location above the Gorka Izagirre txacoli wine cellar, in the same premises previously occupied by the three-Michelin-star Azurmendi restaurant, which is nowadays just a few metres away. In the dining room, the layout breaks the traditional mould with its open-view kitchens, and provides the backdrop for innovative dishes that remain faithful to Basque tradition while at the same time demonstrating the chef’s philosophy: “The artisan’s hands sculpt emotions”. The single tasting menu on offer here (called Sutan, the Basque for “fire”), i

Andra Mari

★ Michelin€€€regional

This restaurant was established by the Asúa family in its own farmhouse. The initial idea behind it was to provide a place to rest and sustenance for pilgrims visiting the nearby 13C Andra Mari church, hence its name. This stunning building boasting superb views of the Ibaizábal river valley features a wine cellar in the basement which can be visited by guests, a bar area for a pre-dinner drink, and two dining rooms decorated in a rustic-regional style, both of which benefit from lovely views. The cuisine on its à la carte and tasting menus (Elexalde and Andra Mari) is firmly focused on the ru

Alameda

★ Michelin€€€€Modern Cuisine

If you’re on the lookout for a restaurant with a true soul and no little history, you’ll find it at Alameda, where the Txapartegi brothers have transformed this restaurant into a must for food-lovers and where they closely follow the wise words of their grandmother Julia: “the shorter the distance between the soil and the stove, the better”. Choose between two distinct and pleasantly renovated dining spaces: the “taberna” and the gastronomic restaurant itself, the latter boasting a classic, rustic decor but with added attractive and modern features. Gorka and Kepa are at the helm in the kitche

Bakea

★ Michelin€€€fine_dining, local, regional, spanish

This minimalist-style restaurant, with its dominant dark colour scheme, pays homage to the local terroir, iron, fire, arts and crafts, and to those meals with family and friends that are forever engraved in our memory. The large central table recalls the spirit of traditional Basque dining societies known as “Txokos”. From the unique wood-fired oven (known as "La Mákina"), which was designed by chef Alatz Bilbao himself (who worked as a lathe operator for five years) to add grills and a hot smoking area, comes a unique tasting menu with strong Basque roots, built around a few well-coordinated,

Ola Martín Berasategui

★ Michelin€€€€Modern Cuisine, Traditional Cuisine

Located alongside the river, inside of the Tayko hotel. The aesthetics here are almost as impressive as the cuisine, which sees it proudly vaunting its open brickwork and concrete beams to highlight the fact that it was the first building to be constructed using these materials in the city’s historic quarter. The restaurant exudes personality and is keen to immerse guests in a sensory journey via the story of chef Martín Berasategui, enabling them to discover his vision and his particular sense of culinary excellence through the hands of his disciple Raúl Cabrera (known to everyone as Pintxo).

Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao

★ Michelin€€€€fine_dining, local, regional, spanish

If you find the idea of eating inside a museum tempting, there’s no better place than the Guggenheim Bilbao, where the unique design of the building reverberates throughout your experience here. Nerua, which takes its name from the Latin for the River Nervión, situated at the point where the river’s freshwater meets the saltwater of the Atlantic, recreates a similar fusion in its own philosophy thanks to chef Josean Alija’s quest to revive traditional Basque flavours from an innovative perspective. As a result, he enhances the menu with dishes that will dazzle guests with their depth and nuanc

Islares

★ Michelin€€€€fine_dining, local, regional, spanish

This minimalist restaurant with a natural feel to its decor is located opposite the city’s Guggenheim Museum where it exudes plenty of culinary passion in its quest to showcase the traditional cuisine of Northern Spain. Here, under the baton of chef Julen Bergantiños, choose between two unusual menus that change completely with every season (for example, wild mushrooms take centre stage in the autumn, followed by game in the winter), based around seasonal ingredients sourced from small-scale producers with, wherever possible, a constant and skilful use of native condiments and native species.

Mina

★ Michelin€€€€fine_dining, regional

Life, both professionally and personally, often demands constant growth in order to stay ahead of the curve, that famous ‘renew yourself or die’ mantra that countless chefs have espoused in their culinary philosophies. Chef Álvaro Garrido, always well supported in the dining room by Lara Martín, is no stranger to this dynamic and, right now, he is immersed in this process of reinvention, as he leaves the successful establishment in Marzana (said to be Bilbao's ‘indie’ district) for a larger venue in the heart of the Indautxu neighbourhood.His gastronomic proposal? He continues to champion sign

Zarate

★ Michelin€€€fish, regional, spanish

The history of Zarate is that of a man passionate about fishing and the sea, to the point where his cooking is described as “tidal-inspired cuisine”. Chef Sergio Ortiz de Zarate started his career in Lekeitio (Vizcaya), where he began to make a name for himself thanks to his superb baked wild fish. His traditional cooking gained further recognition following his move to Bilbao and a widening of his repertoire that involved more modern dishes and a focus on locally sourced ingredients. The strong guiding principles of the restaurant are based around his exceptional knowledge of fish – Cantabria

ARREA!

★ Michelin€€€€Regional Cuisine

When you drive through small villages such as this one, what you least expect to find is a restaurant like ARREA!, where owner-chef Edorta Lamo takes guests on a fascinating cultural and gastronomic journey through the almost subsistence-like landscapes of the Montaña Alavesa region, albeit from a more contemporary perspective. Its three highly distinct dining spaces also come as a surprise, comprising the Taberna (the waiting area), the Kuadra (only offering the Mendialdea menu, featuring five market-inspired dishes and the traditional “putxero” stew), and the main dining room, with its homel

Le Kaïku

★ Michelin€€€Modern Cuisine

This seaside resort where Louis XIV married the Infanta of Spain, Maria-Thérèse of Austria, is home to what is said to be the oldest building in town (16C). Behind the high walls and mullioned windows, the elegant restaurant is headed up by Basque chef Nicolas Borombo (from Bayonne). This son and grandson of rugby players settled here after clocking up experience in kitchens in Paris, at the Hôtel de Crillon (working under with Dominique Bouchet and Jean-François Piège), and at the Four Seasons Hotel George V under Philippe Legendre. A champion of his terroir, he crafts original and refined cu

Masta

必比登€€Contemporary

Behind the name, a Basque term for the mast of a ship, you will find a tremendously honest establishment that seeks to pay homage to Basque-Navarrese cuisine. The simple premises, in a pedestrianised street just a few steps from the beach, has been conceived as a contemporary eatery, with the soul of a bistro, where seasonal produce and market cuisine are the clear signs of identity, working regularly with small producers and fishermen from the area. Interesting fact: During dinner, the tables are decorated with candles in bottles, creating a cosy atmosphere.

Arteaga Landetxea

必比登€Basque

This restaurant occupies a remotely located farmhouse with centuries of history behind it as well as the benefit of a picturesque backdrop. It is enthusiastically run by Maider Larrañaga and Igor Ezpeleta, with the former in charge of the dining room and acting as sommelier (effortlessly managing a cellar with over 1 000 labels) and the latter conjuring up cuisine that showcases the true soul of the Basque region in the kitchen. In the delightfully rustic interior, you’ll find a splendid “vinoteka”, a welcoming main dining room, plus another smaller space. The traditional and regionally inspir

Maskarada

必比登€Pork, Regional Cuisine

Located in an industrial unit on the outskirts of Lekunberri, Masakarada is a highly unusual and interesting eatery where everything revolves around the breed of pig known as "Pío Negro" or "Euskal Txerri" (there's even a life-size replica of it right at the entrance). The restaurant is perfectly complemented by a shop selling charcuterie, cheeses and fresh meat (jowl, cheek, and special Spanish cuts such as “secreto” and “pluma”). The business operates a 360° strategy that involves the rearing of "happy pigs" in complete liberty in the area around the nearby town of Arruitz. The cuisine here

Donamaria'ko Benta

必比登€€Traditional Cuisine

The whole family is involved in the running of this restaurant occupying an old 19C inn in the heart of the countryside. The dining room has a welcoming rustic ambience with stone walls, open beams and high-quality antique furniture, where guests can choose between reasonably priced traditional and regionally inspired menus. Several themed food events dedicated to wild mushrooms, game and seasonal product are also hosted here during the year. Pleasant guestrooms can also be booked if you’re planning on spending a few days in the area. A dish that never disappoints is their boneless pig's trott

AL Margen

必比登€€regional

Above anything else, the concept at Al Margen champions "taste through simplicity". This relaxed and informal restaurant alongside the estuary next to San Antón bridge, features a decor of highly original stone columns and hydraulic floor tiles that give it plenty of character, alongside bare tables and a semi-open kitchen at the entrance. The young chefs at the helm here, Adrián Leonelli and Pablo Valdearcos, have created a concise à la carte that showcases updated traditional cuisine that is technically accomplished yet fun and always built around the freshest seasonal produce. A tasting men

🕐 Su, Tu 13:30-15:30; Th-Sa 13:30-15:30, 21:00-22:30

Los Fueros

必比登€€Basque

This typical Bilbao “botxero”, a classic feature of Bilbao’s restaurant scene, opened its doors in 1878 under the name Bar Colón. Today, following its impressive renovation which has seen it retain much of its authentic character, it is one of the most interesting restaurants in the city’s old quarter. Its beautiful bistro-style interior provides the backdrop for an impressive à la carte (including “media ración” options) that features Bilbao’s most representative and typical dishes, all presented with a contemporary flair, alongside two enticing tasting menus: “Gourmand” and “De Bilbao de tod

Kimtxu

必比登€€Fusion

A somewhat surprising Asian “taberna” in Bilbao with an informal atmosphere to make you feel at home and open your mind and tastebuds to new, interesting flavours from around the world. Owner-chef Iván Abril rethinks oriental cooking through techniques acquired in London and Hong Kong, but always using superb Basque products and varying the dishes he offers in line with seasonal ingredients. The backdrop of impeccable, contemporary taberna-style decor is partly inspired by Asian culture. The à la carte, featuring an array of simple yet tasty and well-balanced dishes (we particularly enjoy the

Arotxa

必比登€€Traditional Cuisine

A family-run restaurant under the baton of the Lacar brothers who share the duties in the kitchen and dining room respectively. In its attractively appointed contemporary dining rooms, adorned with rustic details that showcase its personality, chef Luismi Lacar conjures up cuisine with a clear traditional focus, enhanced by contemporary touches and interesting daily suggestions. The starters here are excellent and the fish mains delicious, however one of the main signature dishes on the menu is, without doubt, the grilled T-bone steak, cooked over holm oak charcoal in a way that showcases the

Kabia

€€Traditional Cuisine

In this centrally located family-run property, which has close ties with the soil and has been in business for over 25 years, the focus is on traditional cuisine with a contemporary twist, an honest approach and locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The cuisine is centred on two menus, one daily version, the second a tasting option – on the latter guests can choose a main dish from a list of different options. We can highly recommend the braised veal cheek with port wine.

Bailara

€€€fine_dining

Bailara’s contemporary ambience in a rural hotel in the heart of nature definitely strikes a chord! The modern-inspired cuisine on offer here is centred around a single surprise tasting menu that showcases seasonal dishes and is based around ingredients sourced from local producers (asparagus, teardrop peas, artichokes, cep mushrooms etc) and meat from local breeders. We particularly enjoyed the charcoal-grilled beef tacos!

🕐 Th-Su 13:00-14:30, 20:00-21:30

Kaia Kaipe

€€€regional

A classic address (the Arregi family opened the restaurant’s doors in 1962) that stands out for its superb views of the port of Getaria (hence its name – “Kaia” translates as “port” in Basque while “Kaipe” means “below the port”) and distinct maritime feel. It features a pleasant terrace, attractive dining rooms, its own live fish and seafood tanks, a superb wine cellar, plus an open grill (the star of the show) out on the street. Make sure you try the prawns (either grilled or fried in batter) and the superb grilled turbot (for two). The impressive wine cellar is home to around 1 500 labels a

Zezilionea

€€Basque

The duo of Ugutz Rubio in the kitchen and his sister Izaro overseeing the front of house have taken over the reins of this beautiful large property in the centre of Olaberria, which is also known as the Balcony of the Goierri region. The traditional Basque cuisine served here features excellent grilled fish and meats, including specialities that you won’t want to pass up on, such as peppers stuffed with cod and the famous mushrooms baked in the oven.

Hika by Roberto Ruiz

€€€Traditional Cuisine

Do you like wine tourism? If so, you can't miss this modern txacoli winery (also called Hika) and the restaurant inside, with large windows to enjoy the views of the vineyards and mountains. The chef Roberto Ruiz, who always covers his head with a typical txapela (beret), offers us through his menu and his tasting menu a traditional cuisine, with Basque roots, with specialities such as Tolosa beans, Stuffed baby squid in their own ink, José Juan Castillo style, Txangurro a la Donostiarra (spider crab)... Interesting facts: The appetizers exalt the products of his garden and the stews are prepa

Mendi Goikoa Bekoa

€€Basque

This restaurant, in the shadow of the legendary Anboto mountain and occupying a charming farmhouse (now with guestrooms) that dates back to 1745, is firmly focused on tradition, taking guests’ tastebuds on a journey through the authentic flavours of the Basque Country. It boasts a charming internal terrace overlooking the valley, with the same combination of stone and wood evident throughout the property. The traditionally inspired à la carte, including impressive grilled dishes and successful combinations such as steamed “molletes” (buns) with Txistorra sausage (made by the Aldaz meat company

Agorregi

€€Regional Cuisine

Agorregi has a somewhat unusual setting on the Igara industrial estate, where it offers a contemporary, market-inspired à la carte with its roots in Basque cooking, featuring dishes that are always honest yet with the occasional contemporary detail. This is complemented by two tasting menus (Aisa and Belabarce). Some of the desserts here need to be ordered at the start of your meal so that they can be prepared in time. These include the thin-sliced “erezilla” apple cake with natural yoghurt ice cream, and the chocolate and hazelnut cake with banana ice cream.

🕐 Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00; Th-Sa 20:30-00:30

Rekondo

€€€Basque

A rustic property along the road up to Mt Igueldo with a history dating back over six decades and a classic-contemporary interior that comes as a pleasant surprise. The focus in the kitchen is on Basque cuisine that is respectful of tradition while at the same time constantly evolving and always based around seasonality. Signature dishes here, such as the baked crab and hake fillets in a parsley sauce, stand alongside more contemporary and elaborate options – we particularly enjoyed the artichokes stuffed with a hollandaise sauce, grilled foie gras, winter truffle and a red wine jus). The exte

Sukaldean Aitor Santamaria

€€€Contemporary

In this highly original setting in the Hotel Zenit Convento de San Martín, several different gastronomic options are available in a single space, including a sushi bar and an area dedicated exclusively to cheese-lovers! The contemporary à la carte combines Basque and Asian recipes, including local sausages, grilled dishes, and traditional sushi (the latter described as “Euskal Sushi” (Basque Sushi). This is complemented by two tasting menus (Clásico and Akelena).

887

€€Fusion, Contemporary

A casual restaurant occupying a stone basement with a modern feel (striking photos, neon lighting, background music etc) run by a Brazilian chef with a passion for fusion cooking, hence dishes with influences from France, Japan, Mexico etc. Discover the chef’s full creativity via an interesting 7-course tasting menu (887's Signature). An array of half-plate options is also available.

Narru

€€€Traditional Cuisine

Located opposite the city’s Buen Pastor cathedral, Narru boasts a modern dining room in which the menu features traditional, market-inspired cuisine with an unequivocal focus on high-quality ingredients that tries to reflect its own character and provide an element of surprise. It features one informal space perfect for tapas and a second more elegant dining area with tables and tablecloths in which the à la carte (half portions are possible) is complemented by an impressive tasting menu. Do make sure you try some of their grilled dishes: red mullet, turbot, sole, lobster... The restaurant tak

Ganbara

€Traditional Cuisine

While the large staff has set the rhythm of service, the quality of its pintxos has taken it to the height of success. It is complemented by an intimate and quaint dining room in the cellar.

Casa Urola

€€€Traditional Cuisine

Located on a pedestrian street in the old quarter of San Sebastián with plenty of competition and popular with tourists, after crossing the busy pintxo bar on the ground floor, you enter the well-kept dining room upstairs, where chef Pablo Loureiro presents a ‘renewed’ version of traditional Basque cuisine with some good market suggestions, seafood and both grilled meats and fish. A word of advice? Don’t miss the grilled flatfish, like the sole or turbot, or the hake kokotxas in any of their preparations (grilled, battered or pil-pil).

Bodegón Alejandro

€€€Traditional Cuisine

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in the old town that epitomises Basque values and traditional cooking, the Bodegón Alejandro is the place for you, thanks to its focus on authentic local cuisine. In the simply furnished, rustic yet contemporary interior, choose between a varied à la carte of seasonal dishes (fried anchovies, Donostia-style supreme of cod with pil-pil and crab, Iberian pork loin with mashed potatoes etc) and an impressive tasting menu. Make sure you leave space for dessert as the warm pistachio soufflé with lemon sorbet is absolutely delicious!

Sua.Muka

€€Grills

This restaurant, featuring a Nordic-inspired design, pleasant terrace, views of the mouth of the Urumea river and the hallmark of chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, is part of the ever-busy Karsaal congress centre. Here, relaxed unpretentious cuisine and grilled vegetables take centre stage (choose between the à la carte, a tasting menu, and daily specials). We can highly recommend the leeks with a meat emulsion and the grilled monkfish with Ezpeleta butter and carrots (in season only). If you eat at the bar counter you can watch your food being prepared in front of you.

Artean Barra Abierta

€€Fusion

Located in the heart of the Gros district, just a few steps from the Kursaal is this restaurant with a name that has a double meaning (Artean is the Basque word for “between”) as it encompasses the chef’s close relationship with his guests as well as that between the Basque Country and Peru. This small eatery, dominated by a long counter with seating for 12 customers, is run by couple Germán and Anali, two cooks who have added their own take on Basque cooking by introducing culinary insights from their native Peru. The à la carte, featuring unmissable dishes such as the scallop “gilda” and “ca

Ikaitz

€€Traditional Cuisine

This pleasant family-run restaurant in a good location in the Gros district of the city focuses on traditional-regional cuisine and is almost always full, including with many foreign visitors who are attracted by cuisine with an authentic Basque flavour and generous portions. Ikaitz’s à la carte features delicious fish, premium meats and plenty of locally sourced ingredients. These are showcased in dishes such as grilled octopus with a creamy purée and paprika, and boneless oxtail in its own jus, served with vegetables and almonds.

Bruno Oteiza

€€€€Contemporary, Fusion

A restaurant with the feel of a speakeasy? Curiously, this one is hidden inside another one (it's in the basement of the Gatxupa), so in a way it gives off that aura of mystery and secrecy. In this modern space, with a large kitchen open to the dining room, chef Bruno Oteiza seeks a mestizo gastronomic experience based on a fusion of contemporary Basque and Mexican cuisine, mainly based on high-quality local produce. The tasting menu is complemented by a larger version called Amakase (a nod to the idea of omakase menus but playing on the word ‘ama’, which recalls a mother’s cooking).

Bergara

€Basque

A popular eatery in the Gros district of the city which has won various awards for its miniature take on haute cuisine! In its colourful and delightful bar you’ll find a vast array of innovative tapas and pinchos, both hot and cold, such as Txalupa (a gratin of mushrooms with prawns), Itxaso (monkfish with a seafood cream), Udaberri (courgette with a crayfish cream), plus the delicious foie gras with port-braised grapes. If you're on your own... be prepared to share a table!

Sa Taula

€€€Contemporary

Eating at this diminutive restaurant, in the heart of the Gros district, is like being welcomed to the home of a good friend, such is the warm welcome and the glass of Cava almost imperceptibly placed in your hand on arrival. The two owner-chefs, Carlos and Manel, cook, chat, serve and wash the dishes, seemingly at the same time, and in a highly relaxed atmosphere given that they only attend to a maximum ten guests per sitting, all eating together. They work with a single surprise menu, usually based around ingredients sourced from small-scale local producers. Drinks are included in the price.

Alboka

€€Contemporary

Situated in the heart of the Gros district of the city, Alboka occupies the site of a former bar that has now been transformed into a simple bistro run by three young partners who trained at the Basque Culinary Center. The contemporary cuisine served here showcases vegetables sourced from small-scale local producers, as well as a number of dishes featuring fish and meat, all of which can be enjoyed in the main dining space or at the bar counter. One particular dish that caught our attention was the borage, flageolet green beans, scallops and green sauce.

Zelai Txiki

€€€Traditional Cuisine, Contemporary

Zelai Txiki boasts a superb location on the slopes of Mt Ulía (hence the impressive views from its panoramic terrace) and even its own vegetable garden. On the extensive à la carte, with its strong focus on dishes inspired by the traditions of Basque cuisine (hake in a salsa verde with clams, Donostia-style spider crab in its shell, hake cheeks in batter or with a pil-pil sauce, etc), you can easily appreciate the importance given to the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality. You’ll also find interesting daily suggestions plus an extensive tasting menu. The restauran

Mirador de Ulía

€€€Creative

A special restaurant, particularly given its outstanding views of the city and Zurriola beach that will definitely grab your attention. Located at the top of Monte Ulía, it is run by chef Rubén Trincado, the third generation of the family, who has his own style yet with a culinary legacy rooted in tradition. His creatively inspired cuisine plays with native Guipúzcoa ingredients such as hake, but also focuses on dishes from the world’s “blue zones” where people live longer than anywhere else on the planet. He works with just two tasting menus: Vínculo (vegetarian) and Arraigo, both with a wine

Jauregibarria

€€€Contemporary

Located in a 200-year-old farmhouse, restored with great success, where each of its corners enhances the experience and exalts the beautiful natural environment, this spot is an ideal place to go just for the mundane pleasure of taking a walk there, even if you’re not hungry.It has a cosy area for enjoying a snack at the entrance, a tavern-like area that invites you inside without involving a steadfast commitment, then a bistro (here they offer a set lunch menu and one they call Erro) and, finally, the well-kept gastronomic dining room, where you can order à la carte or taste the Ehiza and Beñ

Epeleta

€€€Meats and Grills, Regional European

One of those restaurants that is well worth recommending for its welcoming atmosphere and honest cuisine, where it has been given a new lease of life by Amalur and Oihane, daughters of the owners. It occupies an attractive house with a bar and dining room, each of which is carefully furnished in rustic style, where guests can enjoy an asador grill-inspired menu featuring premium meat and fish. Pride of place here is given to Galician beef, aged for a maximum of 21 days.

Laua

€€€Creative

This proposal, which has brought a large house back to life with a rustic atmosphere, has a markedly family ambiance and can be seen, due to the small size of the village in which it is located and the dining options in the surroundings, as... a real oasis of gastronomy! They only work with a surprise menu, not lacking in creativity, which captivates diners as soon as they start with the surprising selection of appetizers.

Portuondo

€€€Traditional Cuisine, Seafood

A delightful property that stands out for its panoramic views, its setting overlooking the estuary, and its pleasant terraces, perfect for an aperitif or coffee. The cuisine here showcases top-quality products ranging from fresh fish sourced at nearby auctions, such as Bermeo and La Mundaka, and prime cuts of meat, to which you can add different side dishes (don’t miss the beef chop). Many of the dishes served here are cooked on the open grill.

Sutan

€€€Traditional Cuisine, Grills

Located in an isolated setting amid vineyards planted with Hondarrabi Zuri grapes, Sutan reflects the partnership between the Txapartegi brothers and a “txakoli” wine bodega (Hiruzta). The traditional cooking here, which is lovingly focused around recipes from the Basque Country and the River Bidasoa, sources vegetables from neighbouring properties and specialises in dishes based around local fish and grilled meats. Whatever you do, don’t miss the baked cheesecake!

Ana Mari

€€€Grills

This charming Basque “asador”, impressively run by the Bereciartua family, occupies a delightful 16C country house in a riverside location. The open grill, which is completely visible from the dining room, is at the very heart of the Basque-inspired cooking on offer here. Whatever you order, from its splendid meats to its superb fish dishes, make sure you leave room for the cheesecake!

Laia Erretegia

€€€Grills

Located on the outskirts of Hondarribia, surrounded by verdant meadows, Laia Erretegia boasts plenty of originality in its setting occupying what were once the stables of an old country house. Its cuisine is centred around the grill alongside some excellent market-inspired suggestions, and always includes two fish options (cod and monkfish, respectively). Its selection of meats is outstanding and includes its Premium rib of beef (aged for a minimum of 30 days) and its dry-aged rib of beef (aged for a minimum of 60 days). The wine cellar here is particularly striking and attractive.

Gran Sol

€Traditional Cuisine

The restaurant is named after the legendary fishing grounds of the North Atlantic, an important aspect of the town’s fishing tradition. Make sure you try the pintxos here, including Jaizkibel, Hondarribia and Huevo Mollete.

Karmine

€€€Modern Cuisine, Regional Cuisine

Located just a few minutes from the historic centre, Karmine is a restaurant that is definitely worthy of interest. Chef Jabi Sarasua's cuisine is a nod to his mother's Valencian roots, and places as much emphasis on the use of almost obsolete ingredients from Álava province as it does on the reintroduction of local recipes that have been all but forgotten (“cocido vitoriano” stew, asparagus “a la Urcelay”, rice with borage etc), but always from a modern perspective. The focus here is on a single tasting menu (8- and 10-course options) that is constantly changing as a result of the restaurant’

Kea Basque Fine Food

€€Basque

A small restaurant divided into two spaces: an informal taberna with a bar counter and high tables perfect for snacks, and an attractive dining room (some of the tables have the feel of a small private space). The focus here is on traditional Basque cuisine designed for sharing that is simple yet delicious and based around locally sourced ingredients. One seasonal dish that we particularly enjoyed and can highly recommend was the “Porrusalda” with truffled potato foam and free-range egg yolk.

Andere

€€€Traditional Cuisine

Right in the heart of the city and, although it is not bereft of history, this restaurant has been able to modernise in both form and content; in fact, after five decades since it opened, the Tobalina siblings (with Álvaro in the kitchen and Silvia running the dining room) have now firmly taken over the reins of the restaurant. It has several spaces, all with a distinctive character, where you can discover innovative traditional cuisine that varies according to the market, with the option of an à la carte service, an executive menu (only at lunchtime, from Tuesday to Friday) and a tasting menu

144.

€€International, Fusion

This simple, modern restaurant, which takes its unusual name by multiplying 12 dishes by a pairing of 12 signature cocktails, is one of the most bold dining options in the city, where a fun approach and global influences are very much at the forefront. On the menus (a ‘shorter’ option with 17 courses, and a longer one with 21), you’ll find constantly evolving fusion cooking, including enticing options such as their hamachi tartare with red curry tentsuyu and coconut ice cream or the prawn, peanut, vergamota and laksa soup. Here they say ‘every bite tells a story’!

Zaldiarán

€€€Contemporary

Situated on one of the main avenues that crosses the capital of Álava province, Zaldiarán is one of the town’s long-standing classic restaurants. The updated dining room serves as a backdrop for reinterpreted traditional cuisine, as well as a superb selection of grilled specialities (tuna belly, wild turbot, premium beef chop, Duroc rib etc) and the option of a tasting menu. Take time to admire the photos on display, where you’ll see restaurant owner Gonzalo Antón standing alongside various renowned chefs from Spain and further afield.

Zintziri Errota

€€Traditional Cuisine, Creative

This restaurant occupies a bucolic country house dating from 1650 that was originally used as a blacksmith’s (it is said that, in addition to anchors, weapons and farm implements, they also made high-quality shackles for prisoners similar to those referred to by Shakespeare in the pages of Hamlet), and later as a mill for grinding maize. The beautiful rustic interior comes as a pleasant surprise (an old wood-fired oven is nowadays used as a counter, with a second providing heat in the dining room). The home-style cooking has a contemporary feel and features the occasional creative detail. Chec

Gotzon Jatetxea

€€€Regional Cuisine, Seafood

This family-run restaurant overlooking the beach, where the third generation is now in charge (with Longarai sisters Gotzone in the kitchen and Sorkunde in the dining room), has a long and successful history behind it. Here, guests can enjoy Basque cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients, meat from trusted suppliers, as well as superb fish (we recommend asking about the catch of the day), and if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, make sure you order the pan-fried langoustines. It’s well worth booking a dinner table on one of the terraces to enjoy the sunset here.

La Ferme Ilharregui Baita

€€Modern Cuisine

This 17C former farmhouse has been tastefully renovated both inside and out and now accommodates a contemporary Basque inn. Three set menus that focus on the Basque terroir set the tone: the first revolves around pulses, the second is based on seafood and the third showcases local ingredients. The colourful dishes taste as good as they look, a case in point being the lamb with Tarbais beans and smoked aubergine caviar.

Lasai

€€fine_dining, local, regional, spanish

Lasai takes its name from the Basque word for “calm” or “tranquillity”. This discreet restaurant in a narrow street in the centre of the city, just a few metres from the river, invites guests to discover its modern take on traditional cuisine via a simple daily set menu entitled 'Hiria' (lunchtime only, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) and two more extensive tasting menus ('Lasai' and 'Crystal') that showcase dishes with their roots in the region as well as time-honoured flavours. Make your reservation well in advance, as it is a very popular restaurant and tends to be quite busy!

Eneko Basque

€€Basque

In this modern restaurant that stands out for its terrace (on the 7th floor of the Radisson Collection Hotel), chef Eneko Atxa conjures up cuisine that combines traditional Basque cooking and the occasional contemporary touch. The concise à la carte is well complemented by three tasting menus: Bilbao, Bizkaia, and Vegetariano (a children’s menu is also available). If you’re keen to try one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, make sure you order the egg yolk with “estofado de trigo”.

Aitor Rauleaga

€€€Basque

A restaurant with a classic-contemporary feel, situated next to the Hotel Abando with Bilbao’s Palacio de Justicia on the opposite side of the street. Here, the chef and his team conjure up traditional Basque cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients and dishes showcased on an à la carte and a tasting menu. Highlights include daily specials and delicious signature stews, with a different stew featuring every day (these are referred to as “La Cuchara de Aitor”).

KUMA

€€€japanese

A restaurant with a refined decor in which you can enjoy a culinary dining experience to the full thanks to chef Daniel Lomana’s frequent visits to Japan to train and to develop his technique further, skills that can you enjoy at close quarters by taking a seat at the bar or at one of its adjoining tables. His focus is on Japanese fusion cuisine that includes interesting à la carte dishes (hamachi sashimi, amberjack with KUMA ceviche, sea bass nigiri, fried aubergines with a white sesame vinaigrette etc), plus a recommended tasting menu. Don’t leave without trying their deconstructed cheesecak

La Despensa del Etxanobe

€€€Traditional Cuisine

Situated next to the Etxanobe Atelier, with which it shares its kitchen facilities, this restaurant is much more informal in style, with exposed brick walls and an original iron structure that helps to distribute light. The cuisine here is traditional with a modern touch and is showcased on an à la carte plus three tasting menus: Bilbao, Gastronómico, and Arraigo País Vasco (the latter can be enhanced by choosing the Maridaje Plus wine-pairing option). We recommend asking for one of the dishes off the menu – if it’s available, don’t miss the delicious cod cheeks in a traditional Basque fish st

Etxanobe Atelier

€€€€Creative

A restaurant with an unusual setting in a former glass factory in the centre of Bilbao which has managed to retain a few vestiges from its past.Bilbao-born chef Fernando Canales is at the helm of this culinary project featuring an elegant and intimate gastronomic dining room in which he is keen, first and foremost, to impress his guests with creative cooking based around two tasting menus (Chef Atelier and Chef Atelier Plus) where you can discover intriguing dishes such as cold anchovy lasagne in a fresh tomato sauce, or hake with seaweed, mussel juice and saffron. They rely on the latest tech

Las Lías Bilbao

€€Traditional Cuisine

Tucked away in the lively and bustling city of Bilbao, this gastro-bar is the perfect setting in which to enjoy the true culinary flavour of the Basque Country. Take your pick between an extensive array of tapas and “raciones” and a small menu, but whatever you choose, make sure you try the flavoursome crab-filled scallops, and the entrecôte of aged Frisona Gallega beef. There’s an extensive choice of local wines that the friendly staff will be happy to serve by the glass.

Zapirain

€€€Traditional Cuisine, Seafood

A restaurant with a long history that has finally arrived in Bilbao after half a century and more in Lekeitio! Here, high-quality traditional cuisine is to the fore, specialising in fish and seafood in particular, which the team prepares with as little fuss as possible in order to respect its true essence (we thoroughly enjoyed the grilled white prawns, clams in green sauce and the hake “kokotxas”). Meat does feature, however, including a mouthwatering T-bone steak. For dessert, the home-made tarts are a must!

Odoloste

€€local, regional, spanish

A restaurant located just a few steps from the Guggenheim Bilbao with a meticulous contemporary ambience and a menu where the pig takes centre stage – there’s even a fun image of a pig (with the name of the restaurant tattooed on it) drinking at a bar! The cooking here, an updated take on Galician cuisine, is fully focused around pork and pork-based dishes with two full-table tasting menus: Txerri (à la carte menu where the starters are proposed by txerri-txef, Igor Aguirre, while the main course and dessert are chosen by the diner) and Odoloste (more complete, with 11 courses).

Yandiola

€€€regional, fine_dining, spanish, tapas

Yandiola is located inside the Askuna Zentroa civic and cultural centre, where the interior design and meticulous lighting come as a pleasant surprise. The updated take on traditional cuisine on offer here includes the à la carte with headings such as “Yandiola’s classic dishes”, “An Ode to Cod”, “Tradition”, and “The Grill”) plus two tasting menus: Seasonal (available for lunch midweek only) and the eponymous Yandiola.

Txirene

€€regional

The name of this restaurant, which comes from a term specific to Bilbao that describes a person who is something of a joker, is one of those places that locals like to keep to themselves! It is home to a busy “pintxos” bar, hidden behind which is a meticulous, contemporary dining room offering an extensive array of traditional-style cuisine. At Txirene, they are proud to boast that their food is 100% from Bilbao and that what they serve is dictated by the time of year. Despite this, you’ll always find superb seasonal fish dishes on the menu (don't miss the Kokotxas of cod with pilpil or their

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Waman

€€€Peruvian

Peruvian cooking and Basque ingredients are to the fore in this restaurant located very close to the university campus in the relaxed Deusto district of the city. Here, brothers Gabriel and Renzo Huamán (both with experience in top restaurants) showcase plenty of personality and highly refined textures in dishes that honour their roots.At this restaurant with a meticulous contemporary decor, they like to say that the cuisine will take you on a journey from the peaks of the Andes to the water of the Bay of Biscay without leaving your table. By placing some Amazonian products in the limelight, t

Ferme Lizarraga

€€Modern Cuisine

In lovely natural surroundings (lizarraga means "ash forest" in Basque), Véronique and Stéphane Poulin's restaurant is set in a converted 17C farmhouse with its character very much intact – it tastefully blends original rustic and pastoral cachet with more contemporary details. The chef serves up a sincere and skilful take on market-fresh cuisine that is infused with bold, distinctive flavours, such as the semi-cooked Landes duck foie gras, the line-caught hake served with excellent gnocchi and toasted sesame espuma, not forgetting the melt-in-the-mouth biscuit with almonds, strawberries and b

San Mamés Jatetxea

€€€fine_dining, local, regional

A restaurant with a unique location inside the Los Leones football stadium, which makes it the perfect way to end a visit to the Tour San Mamés and its beautiful museum as you can enjoy your meal overlooking the pitch. The cuisine focuses on traditional Basque recipes, with some dishes to share and three tempting set menus (Especial, Gastronomía Vasca, and Degustación). On match days, the restaurant also serves guests in the VIP section of the stadium.

Gaua

€€Modern Cuisine

Chef Benoit Sarthou (who held a Michelin star at Moulin d'Alotz) has chosen to make his restaurant a celebration of friendship, sharing and the "night" (gaua in Basque). This former garage has been turned into a trendy industrial-style lounge with a central bar-counter and large open kitchen. Share an array of tapas against a backdrop of cleverly devised playlists. Think comfort and fusion food, whose many ingredients are matured or cooked over an open flame.

Crocodiles

€€Farm to table

This small restaurant with a family atmosphere is to be found on a quiet square slightly set back from the Plage de Ciboure. In this seaside resort, a couple (chef and pastry chef) work in tandem to concoct mouth-watering market cuisine. The Spanish chef proposes a lunch menu (changed every two to three days) or a short à la carte menu (renewed every two months) that highlight seasonal produce: bonito, leche de tigre and sweet potato crisps; hake steak, sriracha sauce and piquillos stuffed with pig's trotters. In the evenings, there is a tasting menu in addition to the à la carte menu.

Hordago

€€Modern Cuisine

High up on the Lizarrieta Pass on the French-Spanish border, at the end of a remote road, this typical Basque inn has a chequered history, including – legend has it – a stint as a smugglers' den. Now, thanks to chef Rémy Le Charpentier (previously at the restaurant Arraya, also in Sare) and his partner Mikela Luro, the place is definitively on the up. Local ingredients, herbs, condiments and mushrooms (picked by the chef) make for a pretty and flavoursome fiesta in dishes pepped up by creative touches: line-caught bigeye tuna, fregola sarda salad, lemon, ginger and candied tomato. Last but not

Chez Mattin

€€Basque

This building, characteristic of the local area, is delightfully rustic, with its wooden tables and exposed beams, and has a real family atmosphere. Basque specialities and market-based daily specials make for lively cuisine that never fails to surprise: txangurro (specialities based on spider crab meat), ttoro (fish soup), txipirones (baby squid). Fish takes pride of place and it is exceptionally good!

Alcalde

€€Traditional Cuisine

Brought in from Irun, where he already works in another restaurant, the Spanish chef is passionate about what he does. This place dedicated to tapas (which have their own counter), also serves charcoal-grilled fish and meat. Portions are generous – the starter of braised carrots, hummus and goat's cheese is a case in point – and the open-fire cooking is perfectly executed, as exemplified by grilled hake with mashed potatoes, garlic and parsley. Attentive service and a friendly atmosphere.

Venta de Ulzama

€€Traditional Cuisine

One of the best dining and accommodation options in the Ulzama valley, this tranquil family-run business with over a century of history behind it is guaranteed to please its guests. It occupies a typical mountain-style property in a delightful natural setting, with the unusual sight of a deer farm next door! It features an attractive bar, a room with an open fireplace, a classically furnished dining room with a profusion of wood, plus a traditional menu accompanied by a good selection of suggestions that change according to the availability of seasonal ingredients (vegetables, mushrooms, grill

Brut, Table de saison

€€Modern Cuisine, Creative

On a narrow pedestrian street that gently slopes down to the beach, this discreet place holds its cards close to its chest. Front of house, Justine is from Le Touquet; in the kitchen is Alexis, who learned the ropes in Lille (Le Cerisier, La Laiterie). Together, they craft vibrant cuisine that is rooted in the Basque terroir and dotted with surf and turf references: a crispy cylinder of black pudding and langoustine, beef tartare and fried baby squid, red mullet accompanied by superb cecina from León. The desserts are just as accomplished!

Pluviôse

€€€Modern Cuisine

Is this as revolutionary a restaurant as its name – a month in the calendar of the French Revolution – suggests? In any case, Australian chef Luke Dolphin (previously at the restaurant L'Antre in Bidart) certainly goes his own way. Working alone to cover both the restaurant floor and (small) kitchen equipped with a wood-fired oven, he cooks and serves up delicious cuisine that is both instinctive and contemporary, making everything from scratch (including the bread and ice cream). The cooking brings out the freshness of fish such as the just-seared red tuna and grouper cooked on one side. Open

Instincts

€€Modern Cuisine

This place run by a dynamic couple turns out to be a pleasant surprise. They are setting about putting a new spin on good old bistro cuisine, in a contemporary setting – exposed brickwork, wood and an open kitchen. Line-caught pollock, bergamot hollandaise sauce, crispy tarragon; grilled sweetcorn, honey madeleine, dark beer ice cream and popcorn meringue: a real treat... and a top tip!

Petit Grill Basque

€€Traditional Cuisine

Basque chef, Inaki Aizpitarte, is breathing new life into this almost centennial institution. The restaurant’s rustic soul has been preserved after a subtle refurbishment that has retained its wooden shelves laden with decorative plates, original stencils by Louis Floutier and wooden punkah fans hanging from the ceiling. The concise bilingual (French-Basque) menu showcases a repertory of traditional, well-crafted, big-boned country dishes. You can expect a lineup of authentic local delicacies like tripe in cod or Biscay-style tuna, side by side bistro classics of the likes of beef tartare, ste

L'Essentiel

€€Modern Cuisine, Farm to table

Off the beaten tourist track, but only two minutes from the beach, chef Morgan Ortéga doesn’t beat about the bush: industrial loft interior, open kitchen, huge picture window, glazed wine cellar and leather bench seats. The chef’s talent and skill transform market-fresh produce, enabling each ingredient to shout its name, to the delight of diners. An example: txangurro-style baked spider crab and prawns in an inspired new take on a Basque classic.

Ilura

€€€Modern Cuisine

Located in La Réserve Hotel on the heights of St-Jean-de-Luz, whose superb terrace overlooks the ocean, this exclusive restaurant delivers an enjoyable fine dining experience courtesy of chef Bastien Soumoulou’s creative, modern repertory. His cooking blends turf and surf produce, like foie gras, seaweed and crunchy samphire; veal, walnuts, cockles and mimosa vinegar; pollock, andouille sausage and beetroot; or even beef, gnocchi, spinach and herrings. One dessert showcases hazelnuts in a complex, wickedly irresistible creation that combines coffee and vanilla notes. Swish, seamless, skilful s