BAR SPORT We returned to Bar Sport, which remains somewhat of an insider tip. True to its name, it is particularly popular during sports events, but it offers some beautifully assembled pintxos throughout the week. This authentic bar serves traditional pintxos in a vibrant atmosphere and impresses further with its more than reasonable prices. Popular with locals, it offers a rustic interior and represents a conventional Basque dining experience, perfected by its good selectio

GANDARIAS JATETXEA We returned to Casa Gandarias for our regular fill of pintxo de solomillo and red wine! We had a bottle of El Lagar de Isilla Paraje Peñalobos Tinta del Pais 2018 DOC Ribera del Duero . This was a good match with the solomillo. The famous Basque Gildas. Guindilla pepper, green olive and fresh anchovy - named after Rita Haywood (hot, tall and spicy). During this visit, we also had a sit-down lunch with a group at the restaurant. Something not done before a

RESTAURANTE ASADOR TXAKOLI SIMÓN After a 15/20 minute walk from the Funicular de Artxanda (funicular railway), you arrive high above Bilbao at Restaurante Asador Txakolli Simón. The Friesian breed of cow is the favourite of Óscar García, the grill master at this restaurant, which stands out for its value for money. On busy days here, eight strips (rib strips) can be dispatched in a single service.  When the sun is shining in Bilbao, you go to Artxanda, the viewpoint of Bilbao

For this visit to San Sebastian in June 2025, we concentrated on pintxos rather than sit-down meals. We started our pintxo tour in Parte Vieja (the old town). We always prefer hot pintxos, as they are made to order. The pintxos on the bar are not a problem, but you may eat too much bread! We tend to have no more than two pintxos and a glass of wine or beer per bar, so we don’t get too full too early. The best time to visit pintxo bars is 8.30 — 10.30 pm. Several pintxo bars a

LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO We returned to a favourite pintxo bar in San Sebastián's old town. It is down a side alley off 31 de Agosto Kalea at the back of the old city. It is well worth seeking out, and do not be shy about walking in, even if it is busy. Thankfully, we were now free of COVID-19 restrictions, and things were back to normal. The list of pintxos looked very inviting indeed. The small kitchen staff were hard at work, as usual. We headed for the bar and dived into

RESTAURANTE LASAI Michelin Plate While we were in Bilbao, we had lunch at Lasai. The entrance is in a basement down a side street, so it’s not easy to find. Once inside, there is a lovely, relaxed vibe and a good atmosphere. The team behind this concept is Bilbao native and chef David Garcia, who holds one Michelin star for Corral de la Morería and serves as the gastronomic director here. The head chef is Igor Méndez. Once settled in, we chose the Crystal tasting menu. To

HOTELA M&UGA We stayed for three nights in the Basque Country town of Elorrio. The Town stands out for its unique medieval and modern heritage. In 1964, it was declared a Medieval Heritage Site. It is set in a green valley with the river Zumelegi running down its centre. It is a delightful walk through the streets of palaces and ancestral houses, built of stone and carved masonry from the 17th and 18th centuries. We chose to stay in the M&UGA Hotela. The hotel is a minute’s w

AZURMENDI Three Michelin Stars Chef Eneko Atxa Azurmendi was the youngest Spanish chef to obtain 3 Michelin stars in 2012. You will discover why when you arrive at this subtropical glasshouse, which overlooks the stunning Basque countryside 25 minutes outside Bilbao. Azurmendi is an ecosystem by itself, based on sustainability. It is environmentally friendly, uses renewable energies, recycles any generated waste, harvests rainfall, and heats and cools the facilities using

CASA JULIAN In March 2025, we returned to this remarkable, easy-to-miss little restaurant, now famous on TV, in the Basque countryside town of Tolosa, 28 km inland from San Sebastián. Tolosa is a town and municipality in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa in northern Spain . It is located in the valley of the Oria River , and Casa Julian is directly across from the river. Once you find the restaurant and walk in, you might think you are in the wrong place. You will see an are

The restaurant is now iBAi by Paulo Airaudo, ONE MICHELIN STAR (new 2025) We have not been to this new version yet. This centrally located restaurant, a famous name in local cuisine under chef Alicio Garro's baton, has reinvented itself and given itself a new lease on life thanks to award-winning chef Paulo Airaudo, who brings his vision of classic recipes. The place is very respectful to the old Ibai. Despite the star, the bar at the entrance is still there and accessi