Euzkadi | Ithurria | Auberge de la Galupe | Cheval Blanc | Baratchartéa | Sissinon | L'Auberge Basque |

Euzkadi, Hotel - Restaurant, Espelette, 64250 Pays Basque Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - Owners: Michele et André Darraidou Ecutive Chef: André Darraidou A "do not miss" destination in the small, picturesque Pyrenees village of Espelette, the pepper capitol of SW France. Profiled in Gerald Hirigoyen's "The Basque Kitchen", the veal stew with peppers is only one of their outstanding temptations. Reservations required. Tél: 00 33 05 59 939 188             Fax : 00 33 05 59 939 019 web site: MC, VISA and AE

Ithurria, Hotel - Restaurant, Chåteaux et Hotels de France, Ainhoa Pays Basque Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - Executive Chef: Maurice Isabal Pastry Chef: Xavier Isabal Wine Stewart: Stephane Isabal A former inn on the pilgrim route to Compostella. Our cuisine uses only the best local products and consists of traditional Basque recipes with our own variations. For example : small sweet red peppers stuffed with salt cod with brown wine sauce; baby lobster salad with sherry vinaigrette; pigeon roasted in mild garlic served on a canapé: cassoulet basque with red beans and to finish a cold Izarra soufflé or homemade sorbets. To finish your meal  we have a really splendid selection of Armagnacs from 1959 to 1989. Reservations required. Tél: 00 33 05 59 299 211             Fax : 00.33 05 59 298 128 web site: MC, VISA and AE

Auberge de la Galupe, Au Port d'Urt, 64240, Urt Traditional French Cuisine (Pays Basque Style) Moderate to Expensive - This two star Michelin restaurant is well deserving of its fame. Located in the countryside in the village of Urt, a short distance inland from Bayonne and on the northern edge of the Basque country, this outstanding establishment offers a traditional French cuisine with a southwest Basque influence that rivals the best Paris has to offer. The service is first rate, as is its decor. The staff are well educated, prepared and provide a level of service to make your dinning experience a pleasure. Reservations required. Lunch is served from 13h00 (1 pm) 15h00 (3 pm). Dress is casual to business. Tel: 05 59 562 184 Fax: 05 59 562 866 MC, VISA and AE

Cheval Blanc, 68 rue Bourgneuf, 64100, Bayonne French haute Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - We discovered this sophisticated one star Michelin rated restaurant while visiting this historic seaport city, and were lucky enough to get a table for lunch. The dining room is very comfortable and relaxing while the staff was friendly and accommodating. Reservations are required in the evening and on weekends. Tel: 05 59 590 133 MC, VISA and A&E

Baratchartéa Hotel Restaurante, Sare Regional Pays Basque Cuisine Inexpensive - Offers an excellent value in traditional regional cuisine in a simple country setting. Reservations are not required but tables are limited Tel: 05 59 590 133 MC, VISA and cash

Sissinon, 5 Avenue Maréchal Foch, 64200 Biarritz Regional Pays Basque Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - This is an excellent choice in regional cuisine in the center of the city, close to the beach. Reservations are not required for lunch but recommended for dinner. Tel: 05 59 22 51 50 Fax: 05 59 22 50 58 Eeb site: MC, VISA and AmEx

L'Auberge Basque, D-307 vieille route de St. Jean-de-Luz, 64310 Halbarron / Saint-Pée-sur Nivelle Nuevo Pays Basque Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - Cédroc Béchade is one of the region's top chefs at this renovated Auberge on the back road t Saint-Jean-de-Luz which he opened in 2006 after working sd Alain Ducasse'd lead chef at Paris's Plaza Athénée. Received his first Micheline star in the spring of 09. Not to be missed. Reservatoms are required. Tel: +33 (0)5 59 51 70 00 Fax: +33 (0)5 59 51 70 17 email: contact@aubergebasque.com Web site: www.aubergebasque.com/ MC, VISA and AmEx

Euzkadi | Ithurria | Auberge de la Galupe | Cheval Blanc | Baratchartéa | Sissinon | L'Auberge Basque |

País Vasco: Bilbao, Axpe, Forua, Hondarribia, Lezama, Errenteria, San Sebastián-Donostia, Oiartzu, Getxo, Ea, Zumaia

Kokotxa |Cafe Iruña | Mendi Goikoa | Etxebarri | Baserri Maitea | Laia Asador Sidreria | La Hermandad de Pescadores | Bertako | Iruaritz | Alameda | Mugaritz |Casa Nicolasa |Zuberoa | Embarcadero |Ermintxo Bedua |

Kokotxa Restaurante, Calle Campanario, 11, Donostia-San Sebastian Crative Basque Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - Located in the old city, the Parte Vieja, this excellet 2-star Michelen restaurante, with noted owner/chef Daniel Lopez, offers an outstanding 25 Euro menu de dia from Tuesday through Friday plus a 52 Euro degustacion menu. Seating for 50. Reservations required. Tel/Fax: 943 421 904 web site: www.restaurantekokotxa.com| Closed Sunday night and Monday. 15 days in February and 15 days in October. MC, VISA and AE.

Cafe Iruña, Calle de Colon Larreategui, 13, Bilbao-Bilbo Basque Cuisine Moderate - Sitting across the street from the picturesque Jardines de Albia park, this popular Bilbo restaurant with its Moorish decor, coffered ceiling, slow moving fans and mosaic tiles, is extremely popular with the with the local business and shopping crowds. Its unique decor, reminiscent of the Alhambra, lends to its Parisian bistro charm, but the tapas, available all day, are one of its greatest attractions. Try the "pincho moruno", a type of shish kebab. Get there early because it fills up quickly. Open all year for lunch and dinner. MC, VISA and AE.

Mendi Goikoa, Hotel Restaurante, Barrio San Juan, No. 33, Axpe - Valle de Atxondo Traditional Basque Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - A favorite lunch and dinner destination of Bilbo, located in a quiet valley about a half hours drive from the city. Their menu, service and wine list are excellent, to say the least. Well worth the trip, a pleasant drive through the countryside, not far from Durango. Reserve a room in the hotel well in advance during the high season (July and August). "Donde dl silencio se oye" Open all year for lunch and dinner. Close on Mondays. Reservations required nights and weekends. Tel:946 820 833 Fax:946 821 136 MC, VISA and AE.

Etxebarri, Erretegia Asador, Plaza San Juan, No. 1, Axpe - Marzana - Valle de Atxondo Traditional Basque Cuisine Moderate to Expensive - Executive Chef: Victor Arguinzoniz Olazabal Another favorite destination for those from Bilbo. The creative menu, service and wine offer a lot of the local cuisine, deserts and wines and is unsurpassed in quality. We started with an excellent ensalada mixta, followed by the Solomillo Queso and Mero, which went well with the locally produced Txakoli Mendraka. Not Michelin rated at the time of this review, it is well deserving of the prestige that comes with a star. Another great destination in the Valle de Atxondo that is well worth a visit. Open all year for lunch and dinner. Call ahead for Reservations. Tel:946 583 042 MC, VISA and AE.

Baserri Maitea Restaurante, Forua Traditional Basque Cuisine. Moderate to Expensive - This cozy restaurant sitting high on the slopes is the perfect rendezvous. Located on the outskirts of Gernika, on the road to Bermeo, it is well worth the trip up the old goat trail you'll find at the end of the paved roadway that runs through an upscale neighborhood. The lunch menu was a match for the spectacular views of the river valley below, while the service was what one comes to expect from a Michelin rated restaurant in the Basque country. Open all year for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. Tel:946 253 408 web site:| MC, VISA and AE.

Laia, Crreteoja Sagardoteoja, Asador - Siderra Restaurante, Arkolla Arzoa, 33, Hondarribia Regional Basque Cuisine. Inexpensive to Moderate - A traditional cider house/asador in the very popular fishing village of Hondarribia in the green space surrounded by Casas Rurales, country homes. Offering a 15 Euro lunch menu Tuesday through Friday. Open all year. Reservations required. Tel/Fax: 943 646 309 web site: www.laiaerretegia.com| MC, VISA and AE.

La Hermandad de Pescadores, Bar - Restaurante, Calle Zuloaga, 12, Hondarribia Regional Basque Cuisine. Inexpensive - A simple seafood dinner at a very reasonable price in a pleasant surrounding. The long tables are shared with out intruding on your space. Enjoy the family atmosphere as the small groups, mostly men, visit the bar for a drink and toast before heading across the street to their next stop before stopping for dinner. This is a tradition you'll find through the north of Spain. Open all year for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. Tel: 943 642 738 MC, VISA and AE.

Bertako Restaurante, Alde Zagarro, Bilbao-Bilbo, 48006 Traditional Basque Cuisine. Inexpensive - Open all year for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. Tel: 944 156 593 MC, VISA and AE.

Iruaritz, San Prudencio 29, Lezama, 01450 Traditional Basque Cuisine. Inexpensive - This impressive Casa Rural, less an hour drive north of Vitoria and 30 Kms from Bilbao, is located in the heart of the "Swiss Alps" of the Basque country, a four star hotel masquerading as a Rural Home. The daily menu is based on market availability, either fish, or meat (grilled beef or lamb). Your meal will be served at either one of the two inside dinning areas, depending upon you selection, or at the open air roasting house. Private dining available only for guests of the Casiero. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for ¤ 29/person. Tel: 945 892 926 Fax: 945 892 675 web site: MC, VISA and AE.

Alameda Restaurante - Jatetxea, Minasoroeta, 1, 20280 Hondarribia Traditional Basque Cuisine. Moderate to Expensive - This popular classic restaurant in this fishing village near the French border offers an excellent fixed price menu (37.00 & 45.50 Euros) and a gastronomic menu (87.00 Euros) for dinner. There is a large wine list. Spacious, comfortable dining and a gracious host to see that everything;s perfect. Reservations recommended during the week, required on weekends and during the summer season. Tel: 943 642 789 Fax: 943 642 663 web site: MC, VISA and AE.

Mugaritz Otzazulueta baserria, Aldura aldea 20 zk., Errenteria 20100, Gipuzkoa Highly Creative Traditional Basque Cuisine. Moderate to Expensive - Chef/Owner: Andoni Luis Aduriz This young (32) highly acclaimed Basque chef offers an exciting dining experience with his famous 10 course fixed price gastronomic menu featuring a selection of delicious in-season seafood and meats. Be prepared to spend at least 3 hours savoring this unrushed dining experience. An ala cart menu is also available. The restaurant , ocated in the countryside outside of San Sebastián-Donostia, is both spacious and modern, while the view as you approach is that of a traditional Basque farmhouse. We were invited by the chef to see the kitchen which is state of the art where this artist works his magic. This is a "must" destination when in the Basque country. Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays. Reservations required well in advance. Dress is casual to formal, depending upon your mood. Tel: 943 522 455 / 943 518 343 Fax: 943 518 343 web site/email: MC, VISA and AE.

Casa Nicolasa Restaurante, Aldamar, 4, 20003 San Sebastián-Donostia Classic Basque Cuisine. Moderate to Expensive - Chef/Owner: Juan José Castillo This is a traditional upscale restaurant on the edge of the old quarter in one of the premier cities in Spain with a long tradition of quality dining and reputation of serving only the best in classic cuisine from the master chef. Comfortable, relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. Excellent service. Reservations recommended during the week, required on weekends and during the summer season. Another one of our favorites. Tel: 943 421 762 / 943 420 755 Fax: 943 420 957 web site: MC, VISA and AE.

Zuberoa, Bekosoro, 1 Iturriotz 20180, Oiartzun Classic Basque Cuisine. Moderate to Expensive - This is another upscale restaurant located a village few Kms southeast San Sebastián-Donostia, on the way to Hondarribia, that lives up to its reputation in the quality of its menu. There is a 10 course-tasting menu or you can order ala cart. The wine list is 52 pages long, offering an outstanding selection of fine wines to go with your dinner. You'll find that the casual atmosphere here is typical of the Basque country. |Reservations recommended during the week, required on weekends and during the summer season. Also a favorite not to be missed. Tel: 943 491 228 Fax: 943 492 679 web site MC, VISA and AE.

Embarcadero, Hotel Restaurante, Avda. Zugazarte 51, Los Arenas 48930, Getxo (Vizcaya) Creative Traditional Basque Cuisine. Moderate to Expensive - This modern, comfortable bar/restaurant, with inside and outside seating, is located in the newly opened Hotel Embarcadero in the upscale Los Arenas area of Getxo overlooking the harbor. An excellent choice for an informal business lunch. There is also a café area for less formal or casual dining. Parking is available in the hotel's underground parking lot. Reservations recommended for lunch or dinner, required on weekends during the peak summer season. Tel: 944 803 100 Fax: 944 316 673 web site: hotelembarcadero.com| MC, VISA and AE.

Ermintxo, Hotel Restaurante, Elejalde auzoa 48311, Natxitua - Ea (Vizcaya) Traditional Basque Cuisine. Inexpensive - Chef/Owner: This traditional family style restaurant / jatetxea is located in the Hotel Ermintxo, on the hilltop overlooking the Basque coast in the village of EA. Excellent seafood dishes (merluza) and delicious meats. Reservations are not required but are recommended on weekends. Tel: 946 277 700 Fax: 946 277 751 web site: MC, VISA and AE.

Asador Bedua, 20750 Zumaia (Gipuzkoa) Traditional Basque Cuisine. Inexpensive to Moderate - Chef/Owner: Jose Maria Iriondo Lopetegui This hard-to-find classic Asador offers an excellent selection of fresh Pescado ( Besugo, Cogote, Rodaballo, Lenguado, Angulas and Merluza) and one Carne dish (chuleta for two at 30 euros a kilo), along with an limited, but good selection of wines to choose from. You may need to ask for directions since there are no signs to indicated the location of this well know and very popular asador which can be found about 2 kms from the intersection of the road to Meagas. Follow the narrow road down past the abandoned building at the side of the road. The entrance is on the left as you approach from Zumaia. The asador is in a converted boat-building house along the river. You'll know you're there by the number of cars (Jags, Audis and BMWs) in the parking lot. They start serving lunch at around 13:00. Reservations are not required but are recommended on weekends. Tel: 943 860 551 MC, VISA and cash

Kokotxa |Cafe Iruña | Mendi Goikoa | Etxebarri | Baserri Maitea | Laia Asador Sidreria | La Hermandad de Pescadores | Bertako | Iruaritz | Alameda | Mugaritz |Casa Nicolasa |Zuberoa | Embarcadero |Ermintxo Bedua |