Another place outside of Bilbao that we really enjoyed was Taberna Mikel Bengoa. That was one of Mikel’s recommendations as well. We had a lovely Sunday lunch there with amazing grilled fish.
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We LOVE Taberna Mikel Bengoa and are heading there again after the Sanfermines, while staying in Garai at the charming Oar Cottage (our second stay). For our Sunday lunch we had the txuleta, served on a charcoal grill and it was superb. Another grill house to add to one’s list! Highly recommended.
If anyone reading here has had the extraordinary good luck of snagging a summer reservation at Etxebarri or is planning to visit on a Sunday when the downstairs bar opens to the public, the Oar Cottage, in Garai, just a half hour drive away is a delightful place to stay with rustic chic rooms, fabulous breakfasts, beautiful countryside views and lovely owners, And the tiny village has two well-regarded restaurants, the Garai Jatetxea and the Aboiz.
We’ve also staying in tiny Axpe for dining at Etxebarri at the Meni Goikoa Bekoa, but it’s hard to book since it’s the only lodging in Axpe and has only 11 rooms.
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Curious if there’s a place in/near Bilbao or on the way from Rioja that specializes in rice dishes like in Asturias and other parts in the north. By that point of the trip I might be craving it.
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At Serantes (3 branches) in Bilbao, I’ve had a nice arroz con bogavante. They also offer arroz de marisco and arroz negro con chipirones.
The one where I’ve dined is Serantes I, upstairs.
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Thank you again @Maribel, this is such good and helpful information! I have warned LLD about the hotel’s parking situation, and he says he is ok with this. I am guessing our first night’s dinner will be at the pintxos place, since we arrive very early that morning. Now to work on figuring out which wineries to try to visit! I see that you’ve listed some of your favorites, and will start there. Thank you again!
I have! I did the Camino in 2011, and stopped in Burgos.
@LulusMom1
So many wineries within a short driving distance of Laguardia, but for all, if you want to take the English-speaking tour rather than just sip/shop in the wine bar, they do require advance reservations:
the very contemporary Baigorri in Samaniego
the family-run Ostatu in Samaniego
the ancient underground cellars of Casa Primicia right inside Laguardia’s medieval walls
the family-run Eguren Ugarte in Páganos
the very “elite” Viñedos de Páganos
the contemporary Viña Real in Laserna and the Ysios in Laguardia, both designed by starchitects
We’re in the Basque Country right now for the next 2 weeks and enjoying all the wonderful food and wine!
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Respect!
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Lulu’smom,
We’re in Pamplona now for 8 days of the Sanfermines and walking just a teeny, tiny portion of the Camino.
I have a huge amount of respect for those who do the entire Camino!
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Very useful list, thank you. Is Ysios maybe better to go by for the photo op than a tour?
Have a wonderful time!
My Camino was an incredible experience. I am so glad I did it.
I think Ysios is better for a photo op. It is now a corporate winery, owned by Pernod Ricard.
Ysios does have a wine bar. The various tours they now offer are quite expensive!
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