basque country
Located in northern Spain, Basque Country borders the Bay of Biscay to the north and La Rioja to the south. The northern section has an oceanic climate, while the central parts experience a more Mediterranean climate. Basque Country has a reputation of having some of the finest cuisine, notably its’ seafood, meats, and local products such as beans and junket. Pintxos, similar to tapas, are very popular here. Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and San Sebastian are the major cities in the region.
La Cepa in San Sebastian.
| SAN SEBASTIAN Restaurants La Cepa Bar-Restaurante La Cuchara de San Telmo ALAVA Wineries Vina Real El Coto de Rioja Baron de Ona Contino Valserrano |
BILBAO Restaurants Sidreria Asador La Gabarra Activities Guggenheim Museum Accommodations Zenit Bilbao GETARIA Restaurants Bar Asador Mayflower Kaia Kaipe Wineries Ulacia Eizaguirre |
san sebastian
RESTAURANTS
La Cepa Bar-Restaurante | barlacepa.com | Calle 31 de Agosto |San Sebastian
Tel: 34 943 426 394
This is a place that we had really amazing croquetas, albondigas, and cheesecakes (a house specialty).
Blog Post: When in Spain…
The cheesecake at La Cepa is a must-have:
La Cuchara de San Telmo | lacucharadesantelmo.com |Calle 31 de Agosto 28/Corredor de San Telmo | San Sebastian
Tel: 34 943 43 54 46
Blog Post: When in Spain…
La Cuchara de San Telmo was by far the best place for tapas in the old part of town. This was not a pintxos bar, it specialized in hot tapas that were ordered. Our favorites were “Queso Ahumado” – baked Caña de Cabra goat cheese with a crisp caramelized sugar cap and pesto sauce; Fried pigs’ ears pancakes with jus; braised beef short ribs and plancha grilled Foie Gras. Everything was simply prepared, minimal ingredients, but managed to be decadent and satisfying, exactly the kind of food we like to serve at the restaurants.
Pig's Ears at La Cuchara:
- top -
bilbao
RESTAURANTS
Sidreria Asador La Gabarra| lagabarra.es | Botica Vieja, 18 | Duesto-Bilbao 48014
Tel: 34 944 477 062
Just across the river from the Guggenheim in Bilbao, this is a fun spot for aged wood-grilled steaks and sparkling hard cider.
Blog Post: When in Spain…
A display case at the Sidreria:
ACTIVITIES
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao | guggenheim.org | Avenida Abandoibarra, 2 | Bilbao 48001
Blog Post: When In Spain...
Bilbao’s most important landmark. It was amazing to see how this museum transformed the neighborhood around it, once an industrial city without much decorum, now with modern art sculptures poking around every corner.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Zenit Bilbao | zenithoteles.com | C/Autonomia, 58 | Bilbao-Vizcaya 48012
Tel: 34 944 108 108
Nice hotel, modern style.
- top -
alava
WINERIES
Vina Real | cvne.com | Ctra. Logrono-Laguardia km 4,8 | Laguardia 01300
Tel: 34 945 625 255
Technically this is Basque Country, but the winery is D.O.C. Rioja.
Owned by the CVNE family of wineries, it is one of the most modern facilities in Rioja, but the wines are soft and approachable.
El Coto de Rioja| elcoto.com | Camino Viejo de Lorgroño, 26| Oyon (Alava) 01320
Tel: 34 945 622 216
Technically this is Basque Country, but the winery is D.O.C. Rioja.
We've had a long love affair with El Coto, the wines are consistent and affordable. Enjoy rose on their balcony overlooking the vineyards.
Baron de Ona | riojalta.com | Torre de Ona S.A.| Finca San Martin s/n | Paganos-Laguardia 01307
Tel: 34 941 121 154
Technically this is Basque Country, but the winery is D.O.C. Rioja.
Owned by the Bodegas La Rioja Alta, the winery is one of the few chateau style wineries in Rioja, and they have an amazing guest house for staying the night at the winery.
Contino |Finca San Rafael | Laserna (Alava) 01321
Tel: 34 945 600 201
Technically this is Basque Country, but the winery is D.O.C. Rioja.
Owned by the CVNE family of wineries, and always considered one of the best producers in Rioja. Produces one of the most amazing 100% Graciano wines (very rare) in Rioja.
Valserrano | valserrano.com | Herreria 76 | Villabuena 01307
Tel: 34 945 609 085
Technically this is Basque Country, but the winery is D.O.C. Rioja.
A great visit to see old caves utilized as wine storage and barrel ageing. They also produce some amazing "monovarietal" wines that are hard to find in Rioja, as well as an incredible white wine.
getaria
RESTAURANTS
Bar Asador Mayflower | Katrapona Plaza 4 | Donostia-San Sebastián 20808
Tel: 34 943 14 06 58
Sit by the old port at the end of town and eat txipirones (baby squids) and whole wood-grilled rodoballo (turbot) as you bask in the sun and down fresh, tart glasses of Txakoli wine.
Kaia Kaipe | kaia-kaipe.com | Calle del General Arnao, 4 | Getaria 20808
Tel: 34 943 14 05 00
This is the best seafood restaurant in Getaria, with a beautiful window lined dining room looking at the ocean. It's a traditional place, that serves literally hours-fresh fish that are grilled whole on the outdoor grill, served with lemon and roasted garlic. They also happen to have one of the best wine lists in Spain, boasting a rare collection of aged bottles from all of Spain's major wineries.
WINERIES
Bodegas Ulacia | Paseo Kristobal Balenziaga, 9 | Getaria, Spain 20808
Tel: 34 943 140 893
A tiny place that makes one wine, a very crisp and dry txakolina. Only a 30 minute drive from San Sebastian and located in Getaria, where you can enjoy a bottle of Ulacia with a grilled fish lunch.
Bodegas Roke Eizaguirre, S.L. | eizaguirretxakoli.com | Camino de Azpeiti, 18 | Zarautz 20800
Tel: 34 943 130 303
Similar to Ulacia, but even smaller and more quaint. We love their traditional tasting room and the winemaker is very passionate about his style of wine (a true Basque). Translator required for this visit.
- top -