Southwestern France, France
Biarritz's cuisine draws heavily from its coastal location and French Basque Country setting.
Emphasis appears on fresh seafood from the Bay of Biscay and traditional Basque ingredients.
Reservations are advisable for dinner, especially at popular places or during high season.
Hake, cod, tuna, prawns, mussels, and oysters are prominent. Prepared simply to highlight natural taste.
Cured ham with a delicate flavor; mild chili pepper adds warmth and fruity taste to dishes.
Sheep's milk cheese with a nutty, slightly sweet taste. Often appears with black cherry jam.
A hearty Basque tuna and potato stew, traditionally made by fishermen.
A comforting, flavorful experience.
A thick-cut, bone-in ribeye steak, often grilled rare.
Highlights the region's appreciation for quality meat.
Small squid grilled simply with garlic and parsley.
Showcases fresh seafood and coastal influence.
Small, individual servings of food, often skewered onto bread. A popular way to taste many local flavors in bars.
Traditional cake with black cherry jam or pastry cream. A regional specialty.
Le Grand Large (Hôtel du Palais) offers high-level dining with panoramic sea views. Restaurant L'Impertinent presents modern, creative cuisine.
Numerous places offer Basque, French, and global dishes. Look for "menu du jour" for good value lunch options.
Les Halles de Biarritz offers fresh produce, cheeses, and seafood. Lively bars around it serve pintxos. Boulangeries provide inexpensive pastries and sandwiches.
Traditional Basque cuisine heavily involves meat and seafood. However, vegetarian options are increasingly available, notably in larger establishments and modern eateries.
Vegan options are possible with some searching.
Awareness of gluten-free ("sans gluten") and other allergies is growing. A translation card explaining your dietary needs in French can be valuable.
Larger restaurants and hotels are more likely to accommodate specific needs.
Local operators offer Basque cooking classes, focusing on traditional dishes.
Tours often concentrate on Les Halles, tasting local produce and pintxos.
Explore nearby cheese farms, Espelette pepper producers, or Bayonne ham curing houses.
Check local tourism calendars for events like the 'Fête du Piment d'Espelette' in October.
It buzzes with activity, especially around lunchtime and evening aperitif hours.
The market presents a place to experience authentic Biarritz life.
Engage with vendors and sample fresh regional items.
Consider a physical translation card for dietary needs.
Ask locals for their favorite pintxos bars or recommended dishes.
Several local operators present Basque cooking classes, focusing on traditional dishes.
Food tours often concentrate on Les Halles, including tastings of local produce, cheeses, and pintxos.
The surrounding Basque Country presents opportunities to visit various food producers.
Hopping between bars and sampling different small bites is a quintessential Basque Country experience.
This social dining style allows you to try many dishes in one evening.
Many market stalls at Les Halles offer fresh, ready-to-eat seafood and local specialties.
A casual and way to savor local tastes.
Biarritz's coastal location means fresh, high-quality seafood. Look for daily specials.
The region's Basque heritage heavily influences the local cuisine, offering unique flavors.
Do not miss trying Bayonne ham, Espelette pepper, and Ossau-Iraty cheese.
Biarritz's dining landscape embraces both sophisticated French dining and casual Basque traditions.
