Basque Country Travel Forum

I'm planning a trip that will start in Barcelona and end in San Sebastian this May. I've got about 2 weeks. I want this to be a real "food" event. I'd like some suggestions about restaurants, inns and off the beaten path treasures between these two cities. My budget is moderate but not miserly. Any thoughts?

you are going from one gourmet city to another, with the possibly the best cooking in all of Spain. I am from there but not from those areas,so its a compliment to their food.

2 weeks is grand, but there are so many restaurants!!!! what are your interests in food, drinks, etc, Ihave been several times to both cities and always by car. I gather you are also driving?

you will get help in deciding what you like by looking at VT destination for both cities, and cities like Lleida, Huesca, Zaragoza,Jaca,Tudela, Pamplona, and San sebastian (donostia in basque).

How do you plan to travel between the two cities? If by road, I suggest you buy the Red Michelin Guide to Spain and look out the most highly starred restauarnts along your route.

I have done the same trip but starting from San Sebastian. SS has a lot of restaurants and a few require reservations months in advance, some names: Arzak, Akelare, Nicolasa, (Top three award winners very expensive); -- Urepel, Rekondo,(Pricy)Casa Tiburcio, Ttun Ttun Tanerna, Bar Tambouri inexpensive -- . Anyplace you eat in SS is going to be at least very good, food is an obsession there.

You should definitely make a stop in La Rioja wine region. Haro is the Main Town, La Guardia is a walled village where I stayed when I was there (stayed Marixa a small Inn and Restaurant (room was cheap and basic). Again there a dozens of Restaurants in the Region. Visited Estrella old town on the Camino de Santiago on the way to Zaragosa, which is a very interesting and big city.

If you are driving, you really should invest in a decent guidebook, Michelins is a good suggestion. I used an excellent Thomas Cook Guide "Catalonia and the Spanish Pyrennees", (Driving guide for the independent traveler) which covers Northern Spain from Santander to Girona, everyplace I mentioned is covered and they cover lots of places for side trips, pretty good coverage of restaurants. Time Out has a good guide for Barcelona with lots of restaurants covered.

Thanks for the insight. I will be driving. I'm thinking of making a loop- start and finish in Barcelona. I'm hoping to spend more time in the smaller towns like you mentioned than the larger ones. Fancy restaurants are not as appealing as out of the way places offering indigenous fare. Same goes for hotels- I don't need swimming pools, spas, golf courses or business centers.

Thanks for the insight. I will be driving. I'm thinking of making a loop- start and finish in Barcelona. I'm hoping to spend more time in the smaller towns like you mentioned than the larger ones. Fancy restaurants are not as appealing as out of the way places offering indigenous fare. Same goes for hotels- I don't need swimming pools, spas, golf courses or business centers.

Ray10 you have the right idea like me. take the car do the loop, and visit the smaller towns eating in people's restaurant, nothing fancy ,just soak in the local flavors, thats the way to travel,and car is the king ::)

for the loop i gave you, this is some restos i like
Barcelona, Pinotxo, meson cinco jotas, tapa-tapa,Senyor Parellada, museo de l'Emboit ,cafe de l'opera, 7 Portes.

Lleida, La Huerta.

Huesca, Taberna de Lillas Pastia, Venta del Soton.

Zaragoza, La Rinconada de Lorenzo, La Matilde, La Venta del Cachirulo

Jaca, La cocina Aragonesa, El Parador

Tudela, El Lechugero.Restaurante 33.

Pamplona/Iruña in basque. Casa Angel Asador, La Olla, Casa Amparo.

San Sebastian/Donostia in basque. Juanito Kojua, la Fabrica, La Perla,Resto Heriz.

the most relevant ones for me, the choice is big::)