Jose Pizarro's best places to eat in the Basque Country
The Basque Country is home to some of the world's most stellar cooking but it's also big on humbler pleasures
Alameda
This family-run restaurant has a Michelin star and uses local, homegrown produce to support the culture and maintain the area’s sustainability. Sit in the impressive dining hall and enjoy dishes cooked by talented head chef, Gorka Txapartegi: fish is caught daily, but try the roasted beef tenderloin with Idiazabal cheese.
Bodega Donostiarra
The perfect place to enjoy the Basque sunshine is out on its terrace with a cold beer. I always order the chicken wings, but the tomato salad is amazing too.
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A Fuego Negro
If you visit this pintxo (small snack) place in San Sebastián, you have to try the pajarito frito (little fried bird). The bird is marinated in vermouth, roast garlic and honey, then left for 24 hours so the flavour really infuses.
Arzak
This three Michelin-starred restaurant continues to push the boundaries of Spanish food, turning it into art. It’s no wonder
Arzak is included in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. A visit here will be one of the best food experiences you will ever have.
Restaurante Ganbara
José Ignacio and Amaia have run this Basque-style bar in San Sebastián’s old town for over 25 years, and it serves some of the best pintxos you’ll find. Try the crab and prawns with a glass of txakoli.
Trust olive
Spanish chef José Pizarro runs three restaurants in London: José Tapas Bar, Pizarro and José Pizarro Broadgate (josepizarro.com). His third book, Basque: Spanish Recipes from San Sebastián & Beyond, is published this month (Hardie Grant, £19.99-£25 on amazon.co.uk). A selection of dishes from the book will be available at José’s restaurants throughout April.
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