Asador Etxebarri might be the ultimate grill restaurant. Located in the small, picturesque village of Axpe in the Basque Country of Spain, the restaurant’s location is as unique as the approach to cooking. Everything is prepared on the wood-fired grill and oven, and combined with the incredible product quality – definitely some of the world’s best – this results in a flavour experience like no other. Add the timeless setting and the amazing wine list, and you quickly understand why this is one of the world’s most wanted tables.  

Concept & Location

Asador Etxebarri is one of those restaurants that made a town – or even region – famous. The world-famous grill institution is located about halfway between San Sebastián and Bilbao, in the beautiful, rural Atxondo valley. The town of Axpe only consists out of a few streets, but still foodies from all over the world walk these paths. The reason is Asador Etxebarri, a restaurant that offers a truly different and yet very authentic dining experience. Get ready for a tribute to product quality, a tribute to the grills and a dinner where literally everything has a taste of fire.

The restaurant’s exterior is almost equally famous as its kitchen. It located inside chef’s Bittor Arginzoniz’s (or Victor Arguinzoniz’s) caserío, a traditional Basque stone building made from the rocks from the neighbouring mountains. Guests enter the restaurant through the traditional bar, where one can taste the in-house brewed beer. The main dining room is sober, traditional and warm. The small windows offer big views on the picturesque surrounding, adding magic to the incredible dining experience. Sobriety is key in the kitchen and the interior: all attention is directed to the amazing products in the plate.

The Chef

Chef Victor Arguinzoniz dedicates all his work to the grill, or “la brasa” as it is locally known. He is completely self-taught and has learnt from discovery by trying to grill almost anything. In Victor’s childhood he had no electricity at home, so the fire was one of the most important aspects of his early life. He even sees fire as one of the ingredients he adds to the products – often it is even the only one he adds. Victor was born next to the restaurant and worked in a flag factory before buying the restaurant with his father and uncle. He taught himself to cook, but also built his own kitchen and grill. The grill he uses today has become famous and is often copied by the very best chefs all over the world.

Gastronomy

Victor Arguinzoniz has trained and perfected the art of grilling for many years. The chef enhances the flavours of the very best seafood and steaks with fire and only a few other ingredients. The character of cooking is defined by the woods used. New charcoal is made every day, using an assortment of different woods such as oak, apple, orange and olive.

The different ingredients determine both the type of wood and its method of preparation. The kind of ingredients which require more intense heat get grilled with one type of coal, whilst others are barely enrobed in the smokiness of the embers. It might sound simple, but Victor has really perfected the art of cooking food over an open fire. His characteristic style of cooking has resulted in an experience far beyond your regular barbecue. Nothing will escape his customised grill or any of the two wood-fired ovens, and even some of the desserts have had a treatment on the grill. Besides the grill itself, the products at Etxebarri are truly amazing. These definitely are some of the best products in the world, served in probably the best way possible.

We enjoyed the following menu:

• Beef broth

• Homemade bread

• Our chorizo

• Salted anchovy & toasted bread

• Shrimps

• Buffalo fresh cheese (from Victor’s own buffaloes) and sweet corn

• Goat butter

• Smoked caviar

• Cockles and peas

• Palamos prawns

• Sea cucumber

• Hake kokotxa & kale

• Oyster

• Fresh chorizo tartare

• Egg yolk and white truffle

• King boletus & eggplant

• Baby eels

• Red sea bream

• Beef chop

• Reduced milk ice cream & beetroot

• Chocolate soufflé

• Cheese flan

•  Cakes

Service & Wine

Sommelier Mohamed Benabdallah is responsible for the wine selection at Asador Etxebarri. The wine list is truly exceptional, with many great Spanish references in unique vintages, like the Vega Sicilia Unico from 1942. Mohamed serves his guests in the same way you could describe the kitchen: pure, honest, and with utmost respect for the products (in his case, the wines).

Why go?

Asador Etxebarri is a must for food lovers, plain and simple. Chef Victor Arguinzoniz is the king when it comes to grilling and his creations and playfulness with flavours and texture are as genuine as they are delicious. Some of the world’s best products are served in the best way possible, in an environment that is captivating, magical and memorable.