San Sebastián
The Café de la Concha is inside a wonderful art deco building that recalls San Sebastián's aristocratic heyday. As regal as the history are the views –…
Must-see restaurants in Basque Country
San Sebastián
An urbane crowd gather at this fashionable spot near the ritzy Hotel Maria Cristina to feast on eight different varieties of oysters and refined pintxos,…
Hondarribia
A modern set-up on Hondarribia's main bar strip with black-grey decor and a great selection of local wines and ciders (over two dozen by the glass). The…
San Sebastián
For a break from pintxos and classic Basque cooking, search out this modern New York–style setup a block back from the beach. A restaurant-cum-lounge bar,…
San Sebastián
You can eat a full sit-down meal at this bar, but you're best following the locals' lead and concentrating on pintxos such as cuttlefish miniburgers,…
Bilbao
This classy favourite in Bilbao's new town has a light, white, Scandinavian-style interior and a truly global palate. Its changing menu features…
Basque Country
Set in a photogenic 15th-century building in the historic district, El Portalón is easily the most atmospheric restaurant in town, with a series of rustic…
The Central Basque Coast
On Ea's main square, lively Eskoikiz Jatetxea serves delicious pintxos (its anchovy tortillas and crab-stuffed Gernika green peppers are highlights) and…
The Central Basque Coast
Near the medieval bridge en route to the beach, this friendly spot serves up tasty raciones in creative combinations like artichokes with jamón, as well…
Bilbao
Amid rough-hewn stone walls, vintage iron columns, sleek industrial pipes and venting, and bare-bulbed lights, Singular lays out bite-size morsels of pure…
The Central Basque Coast
Tucked into Zarautz' old town, Okamika is a jewel-box-sized wine and pintxo bar, with exposed stone and whitewashed walls, outdoor seating and a great…
Basque Country
A marvellous pintxo bar and sidrería (cider house) that has one of the most creative menus around and an atmosphere to go with it. The house specials,…
Bilbao
Tucked in a narrow lane, rustic Berton lures you in with a long wooden bar topped with tiny delicacies and frothy pilsner on tap. Glistening slices of…
Gros
The pick of the seats at this little cafe a block from the beach are on the terrace, shaded by a retractable awning. Breakfast dishes range from yogurt…
Hondarribia
As with many trendsetting Basque restaurants, Arroka Berri takes high-quality local produce and refines old-fashioned recipes with a dash of invention…
Bilbao
Set on the banks of the Nervión, this incredibly popular restaurant (book ahead) has a polished business exterior and a stone-cottage country interior…
Biscay Province
Revel in sweeping sea views and excellent seafood at this contemporary bar-restaurant in Algorta. The blond-wood interior, with herringbone floors, high…
Bilbao
Just off the beaten path on Casco Viejo's western side, Irrintzi is a cosy, low-ceilinged eating and drinking spot, where a mostly local crowd files in…
Bilbao
The bar at this relaxed, casual spot is laden with bright red-and-yellow Ortiz seafood tins beneath slate tiles that display its tempting array of pintxos…
The Central Basque Coast
Tucked alongside the river, Idoia ticks all the boxes, serving up a good range of pintxos, as well as heartier roast meats and seafood, plus good wines,…
Hondarribia
Wine barrels double as tables out the front of Gran Sol, one of Hondarribia's best-known addresses for pintxos. Standouts include mushrooms filled with…
Parte Vieja
A txuleta is a cut of beef and this is the place to sample some wonderful melt-in-your mouth examples – try the pintxo txuleta, a minikebab of three bite…
The Central Basque Coast
A big hit with the locals, this no-fuss place is tucked away in the side streets. Try pintxos including pickled anchovies with smoked salmon and quail egg…
The Central Basque Coast
In the hills 2km southwest of town, Almiketxu is an elegant but welcoming restaurant that serves up high-quality seafood plates, grilled meats and…
Bilbao
Widely hailed as Bilbao's best Italian restaurant, Coppola serves excellent thin-crust pizza, which you can top with a dizzying variety of ingredients…
Parte Vieja
Wonderfully eccentric Bar Nestor has a cult following for its tortillas made with green peppers (just one tortilla is cooked at lunch and at dinner; put…
Biscay Province
Though it lacks windows, this Zen-like backroom restaurant has undeniable appeal owing to its beautifully prepared plates of char-grilled meat and fish,…
Bilbao
Tucked in the back of a small deli and wine shop, Casa Rufo feels like a hidden dining spot – albeit one that's terrible at keeping secrets (reserve ahead…
The Central Basque Coast
On the main plaza in Mutriku, Ametza is an unfussy tavern that serves up some of the best cooking in town. Squid or fresh tuna fired up on the grill is…
Parte Vieja
Above the aquarium, reached by a lift, stylish Bokado is all about the views. First there are the memorable panoramas over the Bahía de la Concha from…
Hondarribia
Michelin-starred Alameda helped pave the way to Hondarribia becoming the culinary hotspot it is today. What started life as a simple tavern is now a…
Biscay Province
Set on one of Algorta's pedestrian lanes, Très Bien is a petite cafe that whips up delightful cakes, quiches and apple strudel. It's a key neighbourhood…
Gros
On one of Gros' liveliest eating strips, Le Comidare has a minimalist, Scandinavian aesthetic with light wood tables, downlighting, a long wall of artwork…
Basque Country
There are two types of asador (restaurants specialising in barbecued meat): smoky old farmhouse-like places, and sleek new urban remakes. This one falls…
Bilbao
One of a number of cafes on Deusto's main drag, this bright spot with whitewashed and exposed brick walls serves tasty pintxos and great-value mains, such…
Parte Vieja
For a break from pintxos, head into this buzzing Italian eatery, which serves delectable thin-crust pizzas and an extensive array of antipasti, pastas and…
Basque Country
Very much a neighbourhood haunt, this traditional-looking eatery serves high-quality Basque dishes from behind a busy bar that serves equally good pintxos…
Parte Vieja
Opening its doors in the 1940s, the tiny, character-laden Bar Martinez, with its many dusty bottles of wine, has had plenty of time to get things right,…
Bilbao
From the outside this looks like quite a swanky place, but in fact it's very casual. To enjoy the bargain lunch menú you'll need to arrive early;…
Bilbao
On one of central Bilbao's liveliest eating strips, Taberna Taurino has a striking interior of soaring latticed woodwork and glowing red lamps that…
