BASQUE COUNTRYSIDE - GETARIA - RESTAURANTE ELKANO - POST 2

Jul 28
2 min read

RESTAURANTE ELKANO One Michelin Star

Getaria is a picturesque fishing village in the Basque Country known for producing designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, the mother of Plácido Domingo, and Juan Sebastián Elcano, who was the first mariner to circumnavigate the globe.

You can stroll along the old streets to the harbour, where you will see the fishing fleet passing by various shops selling their goods.

There are stunning little beaches here.

Perched at a crossroads overlooking the harbour of Getaria, Restaurante Elkano is ranked 24th on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

The complete list: www.theworlds50best.com

Upon our arrival, we observed that the exterior of the restaurant had been updated with a modern design.

Elkano pioneered the roasting and baking of whole fish and crustaceans over hot coals in the open air, and many good judges consider it to be one of the best fish restaurants in the world.

To enhance the atmosphere, the dining area boasts an old-world charm.

Once settled in, we tried the excellent house beer, Ubera-Basqueland x Elkano, from @basquelandbrew, which we all enjoyed.

We started with excellent bread,

And appetisers of,

Coliflor asada en salsa de pescado (roasted cauliflower in fish sauce).

Calball (mackerel).

And then chose our first wine, Ganeta Berezia 2022 @gainetatxakolina

Salpicon bogavante (lobster).

Kokotxas con tres texturas diferentes (hake cheeks, three different textures: fried, grilled and pil pil).

Guiso de begihaundi (a small squid, stewed).

Also, when in season, try the very expensive angulas (elves/baby eels) or camerones (small scarlet shrimp), which we had. They only appear during the full moon.

For the incoming star of the show, we chose Sorkin 2022 Makatzak @makatzak.ww, which went wonderfully well with the turbot and is probably the best Txakolina we have tasted.

The star of the show and the prized dish is, of course, the rodaballo (turbot).

The dish is stunning. It has caramelised skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside.

You need to suck the marrow from the bones, and the expert waiters will show you how to extract every delicious bit. Eat with your fingers.

For dessert, we had

Torrijas (French toast or bread & butter pudding)

Served with Mauzac Roux 2021 @vins_plageoles

As you walk down to the harbour, you will pass the original Elkano restaurant, which is currently open. It is a small establishment with only 17 seats.