This year, the Basque Country's restaurants are, once again, cooking up a storm. While the area has been on a roll ever since Napoleon III's time, in more recent years, the region's surfers and partygoers have also jumped on the bandwagon and developed a taste for gourmet experiences. Last year, Grégory Marchand (behind the One-Star Frenchie in Paris) arrived in Biarritz to kick-start the menu of the Hotel Regina Experimental's restaurant, Frenchie Biarritz. This year, another icon of the trendy recesses of the foodie scene has laid claim to a Saint-Jean-de-Luz institution: Iñaki Aizpitarte (of Le Chateaubriand, also in Paris) has taken over Petit Grill Basque, where he's working his usual magic. As a whole, the Basque Country is continuing to shine, with a newly awarded Two-Star restaurant, rising culinary talent, and an exceptional terroir.
Hero Image: © Lore Ttipia
The Next Basque Country Restaurant Generation
In a region where diners are already spoiled for choice with lots of Basque Country restaurants worth adding to checklists, young restaurateurs are embracing the Basque Country's increasingly glamorous, sunny, surf-soaked image. It's hard to resist the combination of stunning nature (both the coast and the mainland), a particularly mild climate, outstanding produce, and the influence of the Spanish dining culture of sharing plates. Reflecting this, The MICHELIN Guide France 2025 has bolstered its selection with a substantial number of new restaurants in the Basque Country. And here they are, handpicked, over the course of an itinerary where travel meets finger-licking food.
Biarritz, Surf, Sea, and a New Star
Known for its beautiful bay, Biarritz harks back to a glorious, cosmopolitan era thanks to its villas, casino, and Art Deco buildings. However, it's far from being stuck in the past. On every street corner, you will spot surfers of all ages, board under arm, itching to take on the Atlantic rollers. A former whaling town, it also has a vibrant cultural scene, of which its renowned dance festival is the crowning glory. A wander around the Halles, home to a magnificent covered market, is an absolute must, before braving the sea spray as you walk over to the Rocher de la Vierge. Then it's time to size up your dining options: La Table d'Aurélien Largeau, awarded One Star this year, Sébastien Sanjou's new Marius, Freya for a plant-forward feast, or Chez Scott for a set menu that puts lobster in the limelight.
Coastal Feasts in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure
Looking out to the ocean and boasting a superb bay, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where the wedding of Louis XIV was celebrated, has an array of ship-owners' residences, seaside villas, and traditional Basque houses with painted timberwork. This architectural mishmash lends Saint-Jean-de-Luz an irresistible dolce vita vibe, and a lifestyle you can soak up as you sprawl on the Grande Plage or flip-flop along the little fishing port. Once you've worked up an appetite, there is no shortage of choice: take your pick of charcoal-grilled tapas at Alcalde (the consulting chef is Spanish) or try Pluviôse, a delightfully simple little restaurant, where aptly named chef Luke Dolphin runs the show single-handedly. At dinnertime, cross the harbor to newly Two-MICHELIN-Starred Ekaitza, where Chef Guillaume Roget's exceptional sauces and jus are particularly noteworthy.
Bayonne, Creative Cooking Beyond the Ramparts
Around 45 minutes away, Bayonne's ramparts, lively quays, and historical center with half-timbered houses hint at its rich commercial and cultural past. Cathédrale Ste Marie and its Gothic cloister are well worth a visit, as is the superb Musée Basque, a magnificent museum charting Basque culture back to origins that disappear into the mists of time. Book lunch at Nuance, where the pairing of Brice Goeuriot and Margaux Le Baillif gets creative in the kitchen, giving pride of place to plants and aromatic herbs.
Scenic Sare and Lunchtime Views
After Bayonne, it's off into the hinterland. A visit to Sare, at the foot of the Rhune—the scenic railroad—is a must. It's been officially named as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" and is famous for its shaded streets, church with wooden galleries, and its Basque pelota court. It is also an important prehistoric site. Don't miss the Quartier Ihalar with its complex of typical houses dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The village is even home to a museum dedicated to cake – the classic gâteau Basque! For lunch far from civilization, jump back in your car and head for the Col de Lizarrieta. This pass on the French-Spanish border is a mecca for migratory bird-watching and traditional dove hunting. It's also home to a typical Basque restaurant, Hordago, which, in addition to the lovely view from the terrace, serves delicious food jazzed up by creative flourishes.
Ainhoa, Espelette Chili Pepper and Hearty Basque Cuisine
Don't miss Ainhoa, another of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" and home to Labourdine houses lining the single street and a church with an imposing bell gable. Enjoy a quick round trip to Espelette, famous for its PDO chili pepper, which can be seen hung out to dry on the façades, before settling at a table in Ithurria Côté Bistrot. Having handed over the reins of his restaurant Ithurria to his nephews, Chef Xavier Isabal prepares tasty (and hearty!) Basque cuisine, which is served up in a relaxed atmosphere.
Bidarray, Between Rivers and Mountain Peaks
Clinging to the side of the Iparla ridges, Bidarray is set against the picturesque backdrop of the confluence of three rivers. The village's imposing 12th-century Romanesque church with its pink sandstone walls and bell gable calls to mind the Camino de Santiago. Pont Noblia (14th century) is a stone bridge with a semi-circular arch, the reflection of which creates a perfect circle on the River Nive. The Place du Fronton commands a beautiful view over the valleys. From the village, there are numerous possibilities for excursions and walks: hikes to the Iparla cliffs, trout fishing in the Bastan (or swimming in its waters, which are cool even in summer), as well as rafting on the Nive. Exhausted but happy, you can have dinner at Lore Ttipia – Auberge Ostape, which was awarded One Star in this year's 2025 MICHELIN Guide selection, perched on the hills facing Mt Baigoura, where you can also spend the night.
Mount Baigoura, Post-Lunch Views
One of the emblematic peaks of the Basque Country, Mt Baigoura can be reached by a small train, which transports you and your mountain bike or paraglider; alternatively, follow the wonderful hiking trail. From the summit, you can enjoy an exceptional 360° panoramic view over Lower Navarre, the Basque Coast and the Pyrenees.
Irouléguy, Vineyards and a Well-Priced Lunch Spot
On the way back down to the plain, it is well worth stopping off at Irouléguy to taste the wines of the only vineyard in the French Basque Country. Your best bet for lunch is Jarapea (Bib Gourmand 2025), where Chef Michel Moutroustéguy and his Chilean partner concoct market-fresh cuisine featuring seasonal local ingredients. The post-prandial stroll takes in vineyards on one side, and grazing Manech Tête Noire ewes on the other. Their milk is used to make Ossau-Iraty cheese.
Larrau, Wild at Heart and a Family-Run Restaurant
In the heart of Haute-Soule, one of the wildest areas of the Basque Country, Larrau is a peaceful mountain village, the ideal place for filling your lungs with fresh air and finding inner calm courtesy of this unspoiled natural environment. A site of transhumance for cattle and sheep, it is testament to the pastoral way of life that is still very much alive today. Take the opportunity to cross the Gorges d'Holzarte on the Passarelle d'Holzarte, a footbridge spanning these spectacular gorges; more adventurous visitors might want to climb the Pic d'Orhy, the highest point in the area. The road leading up to it is all about the magnificent panoramic views all the way to the village. For board and lodging, Etchemaïté offers accommodation and a restaurant (Bib Gourmand 2025), now run by the fourth generation of the same family, where you can recharge your batteries with comforting food.
