Gros
The Bergara Bar is one of Gros' most highly regarded pintxo bars and has a mouth-watering array of delights piled on the bar counter, as well as others…
Must-see restaurants in Basque Country
Biscay Province
Hidden away on a pedestrianised backstreet, this traditional restaurant is a local favourite. And with its outdoor tables, inviting wood-beamed interior…
San Sebastián
Just back from Playa de la Concha, Lanziego is all class, with its chandeliers, comfy booths and white-linen settings. Although the food might lack some…
Parte Vieja
Tucked down the steps off a pedestrian-packed street, this handsome cellar restaurant is acclaimed for its Basque cooking. The small, changing menu has…
Parte Vieja
A bit smarter than many of the bars in the Parte Vieja, this contemporary joint dishes up a modern, jazzy vibe, artful pintxos and skilfully shaken…
Bilbao
This celebrated three-Michelin-stared restaurant offers a superb setting – a contemporary steel-and-glass structure perched on a hillside 9km outside…
San Sebastián
This is where chef Pedro Subijana creates cuisine that is a feast for all five senses. As with most of the region's top nueva cocina vasca restaurants,…
Gros
The light, fluffy and utterly modern dishes of the Restaurante Ni Neu will leave you never wanting to eat old-fashioned meat and two veg again. Throw in a…
Bilbao
Located on the 3rd floor of the Euskalduna Palace concert venue, Etxanobe is one of Bilbao's top restaurants. Its various tasting menus showcase…
Eastern Basque Country
Pasaia is full of excellent seafood restaurants, but Ziaboga Bistrot is one of the best. Take in the water views as you dine on delicacies such as crab…
Gros
Just across from Zurriola beach, Belgrado is a cafe, deli and boutique all rolled into one. You can munch on freshly made pastries, burgers or delicious…
Parte Vieja
A wooden bar shaped like a txalupa (traditional fishing boat), piled high with sublime pintxos prepared in the adjoining open kitchen, forms the…
The Central Basque Coast
Everyone's favourite restaurant in Bermeo is humble-looking, family-run Artza, just across from the port, which churns out mouth-watering plates of…
Biscay Province
On the edge of the restaurant-filled Plaza de San Nicolás, Nikkou serves outstandingly good sushi, along with tasty appetisers such as gyoza (Japanese…
Eastern Basque Country
Managed by the same family since 1884, Casa Cámara is built half on stilts over the harbour. The majority of the menu is seafood based and the cooking is…
Getaria
Overlooking the port, this breezy spot has earned many fans for its fresh sardines, sea bream and flounder – fired up on the grill out front. Fish aside,…
Bilbao
One of the best pintxo bars in the Casco Viejo, this popular place serves creative and outstandingly good bites, including tender mini steak burgers,…
Parte Vieja
Brochetas de gambas (prawn skewers) are the house speciality. Sounds simple, but no one in town grills them up to such tender perfection. Other hits:…
San Sebastián
Decorated in jade-green tiles, this contemporary stunner serves freshly shucked oysters and inventive pintxos, such as dried tuna and cold almond soup…
Parte Vieja
The humble antxoa (anchovy) is elevated to royal status at this old-fashioned, wood-panelled local favourite. You can order it in over a dozen different…
Castillo el Collado Restaurant
Basque Country
There's an old-world feeling to the place, and classic Riojan dishes like roasted suckling pig. There's also an English-language menu, and, naturally, a…
Biscay Province
Locals will tell you that this dining institution is the best place in town for authentic Basque cuisine. The ambience is a bit formal
Bilbao
Going strong since 1959, Rio-Oja retains a rock-solid reputation for its traditional Basque dishes. Its cazuelitas (stews served in the clay ramekins in…
Parte Vieja
Dark, theatrical and anything but traditional, A Fuego Negro is one of the leading designers of arty pintxos (here made to quick-fire order rather than…
Bilbao
Relaxed Baster serves a range of outstanding pintxos, including octopus skewers with potato, mini-quiches, house-made croquettes and delectable jamón (ham…
Biscay Province
An 1863-built farmhouse with stone walls and timber beams now houses this all-purpose venue. Opening to a charming umbrella-shaded terrace, the ground…
Bilbao
Set over two levels, with a beautifully tiled ground floor dining room and a more contemporary space above, this welcoming restaurant excels at staples…
Bilbao
A creaky old place full of ancient furnishings, Claudio has scarcely changed since it opened in 1948. As you'll guess from the name and the hams hanging…
Eastern Basque Country
With little porthole-style mirrors, old shipping maps and pictures of elegant schooners on the walls, there's no doubt that this white tablecloth…
Bilbao
Near the San Antonio bridge, this easy-going spot draws mostly locals who come for hearty plates of roast chicken, salads topped with seafood or roast…
Basque Country
This elegant restaurant rambles over several white-clothed dining spaces, including a glass-roofed terrace filled with greenery and flowers. Cutting-edge…
Bilbao
Seafood stars at this backstreet bar-restaurant near Plaza Nueva, appearing in dishes such as cider-marinated sardines, chargrilled octopus, mussels…
San Sebastián
At the foot of Monte Igueldo in the San Sebastián Royal Tennis Club, this restaurant has a white-dressed dining room and al fresco terrace overlooking the…
Bilbao
Occupying a former salt warehouse, this low-lit space with exposed stone walls and elegantly set tables makes an atmospheric backdrop for high-end cooking…
Parte Vieja
The red-brick interior walls and white tablecloths lend an air of class to this restaurant, whose modern takes on Basque classics continue to make waves…
Bilbao
In an unrivalled location on Plaza Nueva, Bar Charly lays out pintxos for garrulous afternoon and evening crowds. There are at least three vegetarian…
Gros
Streetside viewing windows let you watch the Loaf baking breads, cakes (eg lemon drizzle), cookies and other treats, including rich, dense chocolate…
Biscay Province
Views of the beach, bay and hills beyond extend from the dining room and terrace of this fine-dining restaurant inside the landmark Hotel Igeretxe…
San Sebastián
Well away from the tourist hustle and bustle is this timber-panelled locals' institution with long communal tables, which serves some of the new town's…
Biscay Province
Hanoi is a pleasant surprise in this part of Getxo, with a big menu of carefully prepared Vietnamese dishes. The classy but subdued interior is a fine…
