IBAI LONDON As we had previously been to the famous Ibai (click here to view) restaurant in San Sebastián (the original, run by Alicio Garro and his wife , not the current one Michelin-starred run by Paulo Airaudo ). We thought it was time to try the much-talked-about ibai in London. This is a place to worship steak in Basque-style indulgence in London. It is an authentic taste of the Basque Country, right in the heart of London, set in an old industrial warehouse, where t

ANTONIO BAR If you sometimes need a change of pintxo bars from the Parte Vieja (old town) or the Gros area across the bridge, head to the central location and Antonio Bar. It’s an unassuming, tiny place that’s always busy, with primarily local customers. You will find a few seats inside by the bar and more outside, where the jovial waiter will serve you. Finding a space may take a minute, but the turnover is pretty quick. It is a great spot to enjoy, Txistorra (spicy sausage

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 visited one of our favourite pintxo bars in the old town of San Sebastián. It’s located in a side alley off 31 de Agosto Kalea, at the back of the historic city. It’s definitely worth seeking out, so don’t hesitate to walk in, even if it’s busy. Thankfully, we were no longer under COVID-19 restrictions, and everything had returned to normal. The list of pintxos looked very inviting indeed. The small kitchen staff were hard at work, as usual. We made

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

The restaurant is now iBAi by Paulo Airaudo ONE MICHELIN STAR (new 2025) We have not yet seen this new version. This centrally located restaurant, a well-known name in local cuisine under chef Alicio Garro, has undergone a transformation and gained new life thanks to award-winning chef Paulo Airaudo, who introduces his own interpretation of classic recipes. The establishment pays great respect to the original Ibai. Despite the recognition of a culinary star, the entrance