The best restaurants PAYS BASQUE NAVARRE - RIOJA

In the fishing village of Orio, the sea bream has been the king of fish for generations, so much so that every year in July the Sea Bream Festival is celebrated. According to tradition, the fish is grilled in a parilla, a skill that Iñaki Zendoia learned from his father, owner of the famous asador Katxiña (now closed). The bodega is perched on a hill above the Oria River and is surrounded by txakoli vineyards. The place is beautiful, and very popular with Basque families for all kinds of celebrations.

A veritable institution in the region. And not without good reason: this is the third generation of restaurateurs we're dealing with here! The history of this grill is intrinsically linked to that of Tolosa. In the last century, paper professionals came here to sign their contracts, between a solid grilled txuleta and a good bottle of wine. Since then, the decor hasn't changed, and neither has the know-how. We come here to feast on incredibly melt-in-the-mouth cuts of beef in an atmosphere from another era! Splendid.

Right in the centre of Gernika, chef Ettore Learreta offers the best of local produce in his restaurant. In a contemporary bistro-style decor, you will enjoy excellent pintxos and raciones, and refined regional dishes: tuna carpaccio in olive oil, hake kokotxas, scallops and pumpkin purée... In the summer months, the chef offers a "menu on the high seas" during boat trips to the Urdaibai Reserve.

This address is the little sister of Bilbao's award-winning red meat specialist, Amaren. More accessible and no less appetizing than its parent's dishes, the menu at this Basque tavern specializing in gourmet hamburgers will have all gourmet meat eaters salivating. In addition to selected starters and succulent meat platters, there's a choice of a dozen burgers, all made with grilled beef. In short, enough to make a few people happy at a low price!

Bokat is an unlikely address where gastronomy meets... the sandwich(bocadillo en bocata in Spanish)! The idea was born from the meeting of five chefs with discerning palates, determined to squeeze all the subtlety, textures and flavors of haute gastronomy between two slices of bread. And the result is breathtaking! The dishes are both familiar and original, but above all they are made from carefully selected ingredients. It's a safe bet that if you stop by once, it won't be the last time!

Discerning carnivores, rejoice! If you haven't yet had the chance to feast on a good chuleta during your visit to Bilbao, there's still time to do so, and in the nicest possible way: Amaren is a Bilbao red meat institution. The recipient of numerous awards (including ^14th place in the World' s 101 Best Steak Restaurants in 2023), it offers grilled prime rib, tartares and carpaccios, each more exquisite than the last. If protein doesn't scare you, go for it!

With its air of an old-fashioned fishmonger's - from the tiled floor to the refrigerated display cases lining up trays of shrimps and other ultra-fresh prawns - the Perita Bar is a small, stylish address that will delight lovers of marine flavours. Specializing in shrimp, the bar's relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by lively music and a selection of wines perfectly matched to the dishes on offer. It's a different kind of place, a place where good spirits sparkle and where it's a pleasure to linger at the end of the day/evening and at weekends.

" We offer the finest Cantabrian anchovies from over 20 canneries in Bermeo, Ondarroa, Markina, Mundaka, Getaria, Zumaia, Santoña, Castro and Laredo " You've come to the temple of anchovies! The beautifully decorated tavern is located on the beautiful Plaza Nueva and offers anchovies in every conceivable form: canned, portioned, in sandwiches, pintxos... Ultra-fresh products lovingly prepared by hand every day. A reference in Bilbao.

New fashionable table worn by the famous Basque chef Martín Berasategui (three times starred in his eponymous restaurant). Located on the first floor of the Tayko Hotel, the restaurant has a chic-industrial decor, with brick walls and large black windows overlooking the ría. On the menu, some classics from the Lasarte parent company, and seasonal creations dictated by market produce. Caramelised millefeuille with foie gras and smoked eel, warm oyster with apple and cucumber-txakoli granita . Divine!

A classic in the Plaza Nueva! Since 1973, Bar Charly has been serving classic pintxos to a clientele of loyal customers and passing visitors. Its large terrace is a popular meeting place to drink a zurrito (small beer) with friends and share some raciones, especially the typical rabas that Bilbao's inhabitants love, and which Bar Charly won the competition for the best rabas in Casco Viejo in 2021. These small fried squids are eaten as an appetizer on Sundays around noon: a tradition worth trying!

In the heart of Bilbao La Viejo, an authentic address that showcases Galician cuisine. For despite the hipster revolution that has taken hold of the neighbourhood, this vermutería has continued to offer the same classics for more than 40 years. Galician-style octopus, served as a pintxo or ración, is the star of the place! But the cecina or lacón croquettes are also worth the detour. They are accompanied by a small glass of vermouth, a speciality of the place!

"Taste is revealed in simplicity". That's how we might sum up the cuisine of two Basque chefs, Adrian Leonelli and Pablo Valdearcos, behind this small restaurant in the center of Bilbao. Nestled on a bend in the Nervion, the restaurant's sober interior is not lacking in thoughtful decorative details. But it's above all to taste a cuisine that's straightforward, well-balanced and that highlights the specificity and quality of each product that people come here. Locals and visitors alike flock here, especially for the very affordable tasting menu. Good wine list.

It's in the Casco Viejo district that we find this well-known address for Bilbao locals: Los Fueros, a Basque institution. Chef Paul brings a modern touch to his traditional heartfelt cuisine. On the menu of this two-level tavern with terrace are classic Basque specialties such as shrimp a la plancha, fish and seafood soup, lamb chop with mushrooms and pork chuleta ! Save room for dessert, they're all amazing! A typical address to try!

Zabala is one of the city's most renowned restaurants. The premises themselves are surrounded by walls over two centuries old, while the restaurant has been open since 1962. Specializing in cazuelita (stew) and all kinds of dishes related to the slaughter of pork, the address made a name for itself in 1976 with the presentation of one of the province's most emblematic desserts, the Goxua, created by pastry chef Luis López de Sosoaga and still served today at Le Zabala. Excellent wine list and pleasant service room.

Welcome to the most famous pintxos bar in the city! Located in the heart of the historic center, a stone's throw from Plaza Nueva, Josean Merino's tavern has been so successful that its concept has been exported to Madrid and Logroño. A la carte or by menu, you can try an incredible selection of pintxos, from the most classic to the most original. In addition to the traditional croquetas and rabas (fried squid), try the house "vaccine" (we won't tell you more!), the liver turrón or the surprising donut de cocido (stew).

The new culinary sensation in Rioja since it was awarded its first Michelin star in 2021, Nublo restaurant occupies a Renaissance palace in the medieval heart of Haro. In its kitchen, there are no vitroceramics or induction plates: here everything is cooked in a wood-fired oven and with a parrilla (charcoal grill). A daring concept of old-fashioned cooking based on local products, which is very popular with gourmets. Remember to book well in advance to enjoy this culinary journey in calm waters...

At 5 minutes from the Lumbier gorge, this hotel with about twenty rooms does not go unnoticed with its imposing sky-blue façade! Good for spending a night, the place is especially appreciated for its restaurant of traditional cooking. The daily menu offers a succession of regional dishes updated and carefully presented. It is served in one of the comfortable comedores of the establishment and offers good value for money!

Located in the old medieval cellar of the Duke of Nájera's palace, this restaurant offers above all a beautiful decor of old stones, arches and exposed beams dating from the 15th century. On large tables with white tablecloths, you can enjoy a modern cuisine, which tends to magnify the local products. The menu evolves with the seasons, offering for example a chistorra with braised red bell pepper cream and excellent beef ribs with green peppers. All washed down with a fine selection of Rioja wines, of course!

Just 100 metres from the cathedral, in the heart of old Pamplona, this gastrobar seduces with its contemporary cuisine based on fresh produce from the Santo Domingo market. On the slate, the suggestions change according to the seasons: fresh piparas (green Ibarra pepper), scrambled eggs with mushrooms... And à la carte, beautiful tostas (slices of toasted bread) topped with anchovies or salmon, plates of cold meats, and pintxos prepared to order: salt flower duck breasts, lamb crépinette... Central and gourmet!

A few steps from Plaza del Castillo, an unpretentious bar-restaurant where you can enjoy homemade casera (homemade) cuisine and pintxos at the counter. The lunch menu offers a correct option to satisfy stomachs, with simple and effective dishes such as asparagus in two sauces, beef stew, peppers stuffed with cod and rice pudding. On the tapas side, try the roast beef with potato and mushroom cream, which won an award in a competition.