€€Contemporary
A contemporary, family-run restaurant offering what they define here as “contemporary Rioja cooking”. The cuisine is showcased on an impressive à la carte and two set menus (Mercado and Cruce de Caminos) based around traditional recipes from the region which have given a modern twist and an added international touch, and make the most of the very best local products. We particularly enjoyed the cod cheeks with a pilpil sauce, a dish that they also make with hake.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.3/5 · 80 reviews
Juan Carlos Ferrando receives high marks for food quality and service, though value is debated. Dishes are praised for richness and presentation, with highlights including roasted tomato with dates and cod fritters. Some guests note excellent wine pairings and personalized attention from the staff, particularly the owner and his wife. The ambiance is described as cozy and comfortable with adequate spacing. However, negative feedback cites inconsistent experiences, such as overly smoky eggplant or basic desserts, and some find the pricing excessive relative to the surprise factor. While most reviews are positive, a minority feel the cost does not justify the meal, suggesting it may not offer strong value for money despite its Michelin recognition.
Ideal for diners seeking refined cuisine and attentive service, but those sensitive to value may want to manage expectations.
€€Contemporary
This restaurant with its young, relaxed feel, stands out for its central location in front of the co-cathedral and for the closeness of the two chef-owners (Rafa Gaona and Álex Modruj), who make the experience very special indeed. Their proposal, with modern and tremendously tasty flavours, takes seasonal products from La Rioja as a base and exhibits contemporary techniques, without closing the door to influences from other cultures. Here everything revolves around two tasting menus (Corto Sabores and Sabores) and we loved the dish they call ‘Nuestra versión del bacalao Ajoarriero’ (Our Ajoarr
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.8/5 · 80 reviews
Sabores in Logroño is praised for its contemporary cuisine, with guests highlighting exceptional food quality, intricate flavor profiles, and accommodating service for dietary needs. Staff are noted for being friendly, efficient, and thorough in dish explanations. The atmosphere is cozy and well-curated, fostering a pleasant dining environment. While some reviewers mentioned pacing issues or questioned the value, the overall consensus is highly positive, making it a strong choice for those seeking refined culinary experiences.
Recommended for food enthusiasts prioritizing culinary detail and service.
€Traditional Cuisine
In this small restaurant, just a few metres from the cathedral, they are fully aware that guests are initially attracted by appearance and that as soon as they walk through the door their appetites will take over! Choose between a huge variety of tapas and raciones (toasted options, sandwiches, high-quality canned ingredients, small plates for sharing etc) that are served at the bar counter or a few high tables. Don’t miss the super-creamy and delicious ham croquettes.
€€steak_house
This family-run restaurant, located next door to the Santa María church, is a respected name in the hospitality sector thanks to the high quality of its ingredients. Grilled fish and meat are the highlights on the menu, although it’s well worth looking at Alameda’s daily specials as it only uses seasonal ingredients that will never disappoint (this is definitely the case with the fried artichokes with langoustines that we ordered). However, many of its guests come here with only one thing in mind – the famous ribeye steak!
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 80 reviews
Located in Fuenmayor, Alameda is a steak house known for high-quality seasonal ingredients and excellent wine selection, holding an average rating of 4.4/5. Guests frequently praise the food quality, particularly dishes like croquettes, lobster ravioli, and old cow chops, alongside friendly and attentive service. The atmosphere is generally described as pleasant, though some reviewers note issues with noise levels and pacing during busy periods. While a minority of diners found portions small or prices high relative to expectations, the consensus highlights the restaurant's reliability for celebrations and its commitment to classic, well-executed cuisine. It remains a strong choice for those seeking a traditional dining experience with a focus on product excellence.
Ideal for celebratory diners seeking high-quality steaks and classic cuisine who can tolerate occasional service inconsistencies.
🕐 Mo off; Tu-Su 13:00-16:00; PH; Aug off
€€€€Modern Cuisine
Located within the eponymous hotel-winery (recognised as the best vineyard in Europe in 2021) designed by the famous architect Frank O. Gehry and overflowing with imagination and creativity. Beneath the spectacular curved roof of pink, gold and silver titanium that represent the red of the wine, the golden hue of the wire mesh decorating Marqués de Riscal’s bottles, and the gold colour of their capsules, discover innovative cuisine overseen by award-winning chef Francis Paniego, with a constant nod to tradition, memories and the superb seasonal ingredients of the Rioja and Álava provinces. Eve
TripAdvisor review sample · 3.3/5 · 80 reviews
Located in Elciego, Marqués de Riscal features a striking Frank Gehry-designed building and beautiful gardens, creating a spectacular atmosphere. However, dining experiences are polarized. While some guests praise the exquisite food, professional service, and excellent wine pairings, many others report mediocre, bland, or uninspired dishes that fail to meet high-end expectations. Issues with meal pacing and negative final interactions further dampen satisfaction. Despite the architectural beauty, the inconsistent culinary quality results in an average rating of 3.3/5, suggesting the venue may not fully deliver on its gastronomic promise.
Suitable for those prioritizing architectural aesthetics and ambiance over consistent culinary excellence.
€€€Contemporary, Creative
If you are interested in the world of wine and all the culture behind it, you should visit the Viñedos de Páganos winery, as this restaurant is located within its well-kept facilities. The restaurant, which has the exact same name as one of its most emblematic wines, is a superb spot to disconnect, with large windows that allow you to enjoy the views of the immense surrounding vineyards and the mountains. Here, chef Cristian Solana offers two tasting menus: Calados del Puntido, with a traditional touch, and El Puntido, which is more extensive, gastronomic and daring (there are dishes that can
€€Contemporary
This restaurant run by a pleasant married couple is one of those places that you love recommending to others. Here, the traditional cuisine with a contemporary touch is built around seasonal ingredients and showcased on a single tasting menu (a shorter version of the same menu is also available). Interesting dishes that we particularly enjoyed included the “canutillos” of black pudding and pine nuts with a red alubia and piparra pepper cream, the cod taco with chickpea hummus, piquillo peppers and a spinach pil-pil, and the fresh Idiazábal cheesecake with quince and walnuts.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.6/5 · 80 reviews
Héctor Oribe, located in Paganos near Laguardia, offers contemporary cuisine and an impressive wine selection. Reviewers frequently praise the high food quality, presentation, and knowledgeable service. However, opinions on ambiance and staff behavior vary significantly. While some find the dining room cozy and welcoming, others describe it as cold, poorly soundproofed, and dimly lit, hindering conversation. Service is generally efficient, but several guests reported rude or indifferent staff, particularly regarding interactions with children. Although the culinary experience is often highlighted as exceptional, inconsistencies in hospitality and environment mean satisfaction depends heavily on individual expectations and specific visits.
Suitable for diners prioritizing culinary and wine quality over consistent ambiance or service.
€€€€Traditional Cuisine
Tierra y Vino is part of the 18C Palacio de Samaniego, now converted into a luxury boutique hotel. Here, Portuguese-born chef Bruno Coelho offers his guests an à la carte that is constantly evolving and centred around locally sourced seasonal ingredients and dishes with added Galician and French culinary touches, alongside an interesting tasting menu (Edmond) that can be accompanied by two different wine pairings. The restaurant also houses a collection of works of art belonging to Baroness Ariane de Rothschild.
€€€Traditional Cuisine, Contemporary
Briones is one of Spain’s most beautiful medieval villages and is also home to the superb Vivanco bodega- museum. Named after a local Rioja word that means “to scrape the plate clean”, “allegar” is the perfect way to define the approach to food at this restaurant inside the Santa María Briones hotel, where the culinary focus is on an updated take on Rioja cooking, featuring intense flavours and even the occasional hint of trompe-l’oeil. The restaurant is also home to an old and typical wine cellar, known locally as a “calado”.
€€Regional Cuisine, Traditional Cuisine
If you find yourself on a tapas and “pinchos” crawl in the La Herradura section of historic Haro, we can highly recommend a refuelling stop at Los Caños, occupying a delightful 16C palatial-style property. In this attractive restaurant, which has tastefully combined historic details with a more contemporary aesthetic, the emphasis is on deep-rooted traditional cuisine that has been able to take classic tapas to a higher gastronomic level, as showcased in options such as the pork sandwich with Morbier cheese, Iberian dewlap and cured egg yolk.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.2/5 · 56 reviews
Located in Haro, Los Caños specializes in traditional Rioja cuisine. Reviewers frequently praise the high quality of fresh, homemade dishes, particularly highlighting the ribeye steak, pintxos, and desserts. Housed in a historic building, the restaurant offers a pleasant rustic-modern atmosphere. Service is generally described as efficient and attentive, with staff often noted for their helpfulness. However, some negative feedback points to inconsistent meal pacing, long waits for menus, and occasional dissatisfaction with food preparation. While isolated incidents of poor service exist, the majority of diners recommend it for its authentic regional flavors and welcoming environment.
Recommended for travelers seeking authentic traditional Rioja cuisine in a warm, historic setting.
€€Traditional Cuisine
A restaurant with a touch of charm? This one has it in spades; in fact... it has restored a beautiful 17th century wine cellar! Here they see gastronomy as a pleasure to be shared and that is their priority, always highlighting the goodness of Rioja cuisine. In their well-kept dining rooms, all with a rustic feel, they offer a traditional menu, with modern touches and interesting suggestions of the day. We particularly liked the slow-cooked egg and their deliciously tender oxtail, stewed and shredded!
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.6/5 · 80 reviews
La Vieja Bodega in Casalarreina is noted for traditional cuisine and an elegant atmosphere. Reviews frequently praise food quality, attentive service, and charming decor, highlighting dishes like lamb chops and seafood salad. However, some guests report issues with rushed pacing, poor coffee quality, and limited options for allergies. Opinions on value are mixed; while some find it reasonably priced, others criticize expensive wine, small portions, and perceived mediocrity relative to cost. Overall, it suits special occasions, though diners should be mindful of service consistency and portion sizes.
Ideal for those seeking traditional flavors and elegance; advise communicating dietary needs and pacing expectations in advance.
€€€Contemporary
Lumbre boasts an impressive setting in a delightful 17C bodega with pleasant dining rooms suitable for individual guests and groups, an attractive underground cellar, an attic-style lounge for post-dinner drinks, plus dining options that are exclusively centred around three meticulously crafted menus: Origen (midweek only), Fuego, and Lumbre. The experience here usually starts off with a selection of appetisers (called La Huerta) in its stunning “calados” (underground tunnels in which wines were laid to down to age in days gone by).
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.8/5 · 80 reviews
Located in Casalarreina, Lumbre occupies a beautifully renovated 12th-century winery, offering an elegant and historic ambiance. Reviews frequently praise the high-quality food, highlighting seasonal ingredients, exquisite presentation, and well-balanced flavors, often paired with local wines. Service is generally commended as professional and attentive, contributing to a memorable experience. However, some guests express concerns regarding value for money, citing small portions relative to cost, while a minority noted inconsistent staff attitudes or overly complex dish designs. Overall, it is a sophisticated dining destination suitable for those seeking refined cuisine, though expectations regarding portion sizes should be managed.
Suitable for diners prioritizing ambiance, refined cuisine, and service over strict value-for-money considerations.
€€€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.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.7/5 · 80 reviews
Located in a farmhouse in Langarica, Laua offers creative tasting menus highlighting local ingredients and innovative techniques. Most guests praise the high food quality, describing the flavors as rich and the portions as satisfying. Service is generally professional and attentive, though isolated complaints mention cold staff attitudes and inconsistent pacing. The ambiance is charming with an ideal terrace, but some diners found the dining room too cold. Value perceptions vary significantly; while many find the experience worthwhile, others criticize the lack of substantial dishes or consider the price excessive relative to the quantity served.
Suitable for diners seeking refined creative cuisine who can accept higher prices, with prior checks on indoor temperature and portion expectations recommended.
€€€Traditional Cuisine
The meticulously appointed dining room here can be considered a temple of traditional Rioja cooking thanks to its respect for flavour and dishes prepared with the minutest of detail. The extensive à la carte, featuring the signature dishes of both Francis Paniego and his mother, is complemented by a daily menu (midweek only) plus a tasting option. We can definitely recommend the famous soft and creamy croquettes, the prawn carpaccio, the lightly battered hake confit (cooked at 45°C), and the Cameros cheese on toast with apple.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.5/5 · 80 reviews
Located in central Ezcaray with easy parking, Echaurren Tradition blends traditional and modern aesthetics in a cozy setting. Food quality is generally praised for exquisite dishes like chickpea stew and game, though some guests find meals average or disappointing. Service is typically warm and attentive, with owners showing flexibility, yet issues include slow pacing and billing disputes. Despite its Repsol Guide recognition, value is mixed; many consider prices high relative to the experience, leading to dissatisfaction among some diners regarding cost versus quality.
Suitable for diners seeking traditional flavors and a cozy atmosphere, but those sensitive to value may want to manage expectations.
€€Contemporary
This restaurant with its urban and industrial atmosphere, dominated by the pink and grey tones of concrete, should be seen as the low-cost version of the award-winning Alejandro Serrano restaurant. Its kitchen, which integrates exposed steel into the décor as it is completely open to the dining room, offers a fun and informal proposal, reinterpreting the dishes of its big brother in a more casual way. The menu, with dishes such as ceviche-style prawn carpaccio and an open-face omelette with cod kokotxas, is rounded out with an economical daily set menu.
€€Traditional Cuisine, Contemporary
Behind this name, which evokes Japanese-inspired cuisine (it can be translated as ‘fruit of the tree’), hides a pleasant and relaxed restaurant, designed for the unrushed enjoyment of the cooking, the moment and the company. The couple at the helm, with Jon Iñaki Monterroso behind the stove and Karen Harillo heading up the dining room, strive to recover the traditional home cooking based on the best local produce, giving each recipe the time it requires and adding the occasional touch of fusion. You will find dishes such as Tierra Estella ratatouille with smoked Idiazabal and free-range egg or
€€€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’
€€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’!
€€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.
TripAdvisor review sample · 3.9/5 · 80 reviews
Kea Basque Fine Food in Vitoria-Gasteiz is noted for high-quality Basque cuisine. Dishes like Alfonsito hake, turbot, and pork chops receive praise, particularly the turbot's pil pil sauce. The modern yet traditional atmosphere includes a bar area. Service is generally friendly and professional, though some guests report rushed wine service, spills, or ignored bar patrons. Meal pacing can be inconsistent. While a few reviews criticize the limited menu creativity and value, most visitors find the experience worthwhile. It remains a solid option for authentic local dining despite occasional service lapses.
Suitable for diners seeking authentic Basque flavors who can tolerate occasional service inconsistencies.
€€€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.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.3/5 · 80 reviews
Zaldiarán in Vitoria-Gasteiz offers contemporary Basque cuisine, praised for high-quality ingredients and sophisticated tasting menus. Dishes like octopus, clams, and hake receive specific acclaim for their excellence. The atmosphere is generally described as elegant and comfortable, suitable for formal dining, though some note the decor could use updating. Service experiences vary significantly; while many highlight attentive and knowledgeable staff, others report cold attitudes or lack of course explanations. Value perceptions are mixed, with some finding the experience justified and others feeling disappointed relative to expectations. Overall, it is a solid choice for food enthusiasts seeking traditional yet refined flavors, provided one anticipates potential inconsistencies in service delivery.
Suitable for diners prioritizing high-quality traditional Basque flavors over consistent service.
€€€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
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 80 reviews
Andere, located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, is recognized for traditional cuisine and a warm, family-oriented atmosphere. Guests frequently praise the high quality of ingredients, particularly noting the excellence of grilled meats, fish, and seafood dishes. Appetizers such as croquettes and artichokes also receive positive mentions. Service is generally described as attentive, professional, and friendly, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. The restaurant features a highly regarded terrace area, ideal for outdoor dining. However, some reviews highlight inconsistencies in value, with complaints regarding portion sizes relative to price and discrepancies between online and in-house pricing. Occasional critiques focus on meal pacing and the serving temperature of white wines during summer months. While many find the establishment reliable and enjoyable, others report mixed experiences regarding cost-effectiveness and specific service details.
Suitable for diners seeking traditional flavors and a pleasant atmosphere who prioritize food quality over strict value consistency.
€€€Regional Cuisine, Farm to table
Amid the surprising landscapes of the Valle Salado de Añana, overlooking its salt pans that date back millennia, you’ll find this rustic-style former salt warehouse that now features the kitchen at its very heart with a bar counter arranged around it. Head chef Beatriz Pascual shows off her skills in front of us, using locally sourced organic fruits and vegetables to create honest and regionally inspired cuisine. She presents a singular tasting menu that evolves with the season and, weather permitting, begins with the first appetisers at a table that overlooks the ancient salt mines. We were s