This was our second Michelin Star restaurant in two days. Quaint old building, approximately 600 years old in a small town outside of San Sebastián. The service was excellent, not stuffy at all. Prices where normal for a Michelin Star winner. If your out in this part of Spain it's definitely worth the drive. We had choose three appetizers, two main courses and two desserts. read more

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Are there really only 7 reviews on this place? I am honored to be able to give a review on this place and feel lucky we were able to get reservations and have this experience. As we were seated at our table I felt like a queen. Never had I experienced service like this. I took a look at the tasting menu (which I had originally planned to do) but none of the dishes caught my fancy. I hemmed and hawed at what to order and finally ended up with....the tasting menu. When in Madrid.... This is one of my favorite meals of all time and may be one of the less wordy of the bunch ("maybe", I haven't finished yet). A dish by dish review is not necessary and cannot give justice to the umami that the night unfolded. With each tasting set before me, I kept asking myself - how can you put so much goodness in such a small little dish? For example, one of my favorites of the night was shellfish to the royal with fennel flavour. Shellfish to what? and fennel... not a fan of fennel. Have you ever had something so good that you want to close your eyes and just take it all in with only your tastebuds? This frothy little portion had layers of flavor you couldn't imagine. A few of which I was able to guess correctly as uni and lobster (pat myself on the back). I loved it all. Each dish in and of itself was uniquely astonishing in its own way. To hit on a couple other surprises - the mashed potatoes were the jam. They were a runny thick consistency and when I asked what made them so good, the waitress answered "lots of butter". The cheesecake was like no other cheesecake. So good that it called for an additional order to close out the night. The wines (recommended by the sommelier) were less expensive than any red wines sold in US restaurants (even the cheaper US brands). I was wined and dined - an experience I can't explain other than using the word amazing. Which by the way, I need to find a better word because it was actually better than amazing. read more

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The family who owns our gorgeous Airbnb made us a reservation at Zuberoa for our anniversary and after peeping the menu and the photos of the lovely stonework building I got super excited. It's a bit of a trek from San Sebastián proper (20ish minute cab ride) but well worth it to try a meal from Chef Arbelaritz, who is well known in the region. I didn't find the menu too "out there" in terms of creativity. There's always the risk at a Michelin meal that you'll be eating 7 different colors worth of foam, but in this case familiar things like tuna tartar and quinoa made unique appearances. I wouldn't say my mind was blown but everything was certainly tasty. Our servers tended to switch off, but were very attentive. We opted to try the tasting menu, which consisted of: Tuna Tartar Spider crab and prawns ravioli Lobster, cauliflower and fennel Egg yolk, foie-gras cream and mushroom emulsion Stir-fried squid and gelatinous broth "Pelayo" style Red mullet, celeriac, and quinoa Roasted suckling pig, mashed potatos and cumin flavoured fruit compote (which I had) Roasted pigeon, liver toast and turnip filled with mushrooms (which the huband had) Macerated apricots in amarette and lemon and mint sorbet Hazelnut crocanti with hot chocolate Note! I was beyond full by the time the entrees came out, so definitely come hungry. No wine pairing was offered with the menu but they made it happen when we asked and they pretty cool about honoring our request to begin with a local Txakoli wine. With the wines, a bottle of water, tax and the two tasting menus the total was €344. Bonus points for the tooth brushing kits in the restroom! read more

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Zuberoa is set in the beautiful countryside in an ancient village of Oiartzun. The restaurant is housed in a space dating back to 600 years ago. It is a gorgeous spot and you tend to forget you're in a restaurant, but rather you feel as though you stepped foot into an old European cottage. The food itself is traditional and modern with influences from the Basque region. The ingredients are fresh and the menu is seasonal. You can choose both a la carte or the tasting menu, which I picked to enjoy. The tasting menu will run you about 130 euros for a nine course meal.  Amuse Bouche COURSE ONE: WARM ARTICHOKE SALAD, SMOKED MACKEREL AND FINE HERBS FLAVORED CHEESE CUBES COURSE TWO: ROASTED SCALLOPS, SHELLFISH ESSENCE AND SALSIFY CREAM COURSE THREE: LOBSTER, CAULIFLOWER AND FENNEL COURSE FOUR: MUSHROOM VEIL, STEWED CALF TONGUECUBE AND THYME OIL MY FAVORITE DISH. COURSE FIVE: POACHED EGG YOLK, FLAN OF FOIE-GRAS AND CHESTNUT CREAM COURSE SIX; ROASTED SOLE, ITS OWN JUICE, MOLLUSKS AND TOMATO COURSE SEVEN: ROASTED VENISON, GINGER FLAVORED SEASON FRUITS COURSE EIGHT: PEARS PRESERVED IN HONEY AND LIME, TEA AND CARAMEL ICE CREAM COURSE NINE: CHEESECAKE PETIT FOURS Overall, Zuberoa is a great place to have an intimate dinner. The restaurant is beautiful and the service was on point. The menu was well balanced, from the appetizers, to the fish courses to the meat course. Everything was well seasoned and flavorful. I loved the foie gras dish as it was creamy and luscious without being overly heavy from the foie gras. I substituted one of the desserts for the cheesecake, since basically that dessert was the theme of my trip. Would I come back? Most definitely. read more

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It is no secret that the Basque country, around Donostia/San Sebastian boasts one of the densest areas of stellar dining. Even though there are very many well regarded, world renowned establishments such as those of Juan Mari Arzak, Pedro Subijana, Martin Berasategui, there are some semi hidden gems to be found. Among those would be the cuisine and hospitality of the Arbelaitz family. The brothers of this family are known in the area but not necessarily world wide. It maybe a shame or a great secret to have, depending on how you look at it. Chef Hilario Arbelaitz run Zuberoa in a 600 year old farmhouse in the remote town of Oiartzun, one of the oldest buildings in the whole area. As you drive away from civilization, you feel your mind and the sights drift to the serene countryside. We realize that we are already lost and give the restaurant a call. They are more than happy to tell us that we need not stress and that we will be taken care of whenever we arrive. I could tell that this was going to be a spectacular dinner. As we arrive we are greeted by two hosts, one female who happens to be the better English speaker and one male who is there to handle the throngs of French patrons who cross the border to dine. We're seated and find that on a Tuesday night, we are of a handful of patrons. As most of this trip, we waste no time going straight to the tasting menu: -Rockfish and Sea Urchin "Royal" with essence of fennel -Roasted Norwegian Lobster, vichyssoise, mushrooms -Grilled oyster "Gillardeau" in its own liquor/foam, sweet onion cream -Roasted sardine tartlet, tomatoes, basil, smoked Idiazabal cheese -Roasted scallop, lemon, thyme tomato, coral caramel -Poached egg, puree of foie gras, truffle, veloute of peas and asparagus -Red Mullet, endive leaves, pumpkin, orange essence -Roast lamb loin, mashed potatoes, sauteed vegetables -Rosemary roast squab, potatoes, truffled cabbage -Bitter almond and yogurt ice cream -Tomato and strawberry "Gazpacho", chocolate, basil oil Does it get any better than this? not really. Perhaps the greatest expression of Basque/Spanish cuisine I've had where the preservation of the traditional cooking/recipes met with modern refined technique. Perhaps one of my favorite meals of all time. This wasn't only because of the cuisine. Zuberoa also expressed the hospitality and character of the Basque people. I could not get over how well we were treated. Our server was the most ebullient and warm personality and answered all of curiosities of the restaurant and the cooking, while also showing here curiosity and interest of where we came from. After the dinner, we spoke extensively with Chef Hilario and his staff, a good hour plus, with our server being an excellent translator. They say the best gateway to a culture is to love their food and it has never been more true here. It was great to get his viewpoints of cuisine, the culture and how snooty and cold most of the French customers are :) If you ever make your way to this area, you must make a side trip to Zuberoa. They are amongst the warmest people and excellent hosts you can find with the culinary expertise to match. read more

Zuberoa - Basque Near Me - Oiartzun, SS

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Basque dining at its finest . Fantastic dishes, service and country atmosphere make a visit one to remember and repeat. Well deserving of at least two stars. read more

Stunning setting, both inside and out. Not often that we get the opportunity to dine inside a 700 year old structure that is both classic and chic. Service was good. Wine list is very good. Best amuse-bouche of my life. A foie mousse with Pedro Ximenez gelee that set the tone for a fabulous meal, but the dishes that followed were not consistently excellent. Excessive use of foam. Uneven seasoning. The seasonal peas dish was superb, as was the bacalao, and the desserts, while not amazing, were generous and tasty. The biggest disappointment for all was the main course. Portions were too small. Over salted. My lamb was joined to an intense tomato-reduction that did not work at all for my taste. We were told that this is traditional Basque cuisine...for me it tasted all salt and acid without any rich meatiness or complimentary flavor range. Zuberoa is definitely a local favorite. Wanted so much to love it but Arzak blew it away with far better and more interesting menu/presentation/flavor/texture/service standards. Zuberoa gets the win on setting. read more

Mind-blown. It was that good. I'm drooling at this moment recalling the meal. The restaurant was a lil drive from the main town, but so worth the trek. It was rustic, homey, the service was very inviting and warm and, most importantly, the food was sublime. We ordered: Seafood ravioli app: the broth...omg. I don't remember what was in it was, but man...it was good. Risotto app: with another broth made from some wine reduction and fois gras juice with chunks of fois gras. Mmmmmm Comp app dish with another reduction of something that was so delicious. Grilled fish entree: this was ok, nothing special. Fois gras entree: ahhhhh....kill me now. Perfectly caramelized and some heavenly broth/sauce. Lobster: sweet, tender, juicy...it's a simple lobster dish with the natural flavor of a lobster enhanced to blow all of my senses. Desserts: there's a cheesecake made with a pungent soft cheese (can't remember which....goat?) that was surprisingly delicious. The other one was a molten cake of some sort, but I just can't remember what exactly it was. Excellent also. We ordered 2 apps (+1 comp), 4 entrees, 2 desserts and a bottle of wine. All came out to be just over $100/pp. So worth it. They gave us a tour of the restaurant at the end of the meal and the chef came out to greet us. Now that's you call a Michelin star experience. I LOVE LOVE LOVE San Sebastian! read more

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Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!! This is one of the best restaurants in the world! I have traveled around the world and have dined at Michelin star restaurants, and this is by far the best in the world. I have been here 3 times and simply love the food and experience. read more

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Wow! Another amazing restaurant in Basque Country! We were told it would be incredibly difficult to get a reservation here but a good tip to get one is go on a weekday for lunch and you will most likely get it! There were only 4 tables with people while we were there!! The setting was a charming country side restaurant, not quite rustic though. We started our meal with a cava which was mild, nicely balanced, dry, maybe a hint of sweetness. Menu that four people shared: Starters: 1. Foie gras mousse with caramel (amazing) 2. Lobster ravioli with shaved black truffles 3. Seared foie gras with chicken pea and cabbage broth 4. Black truffle risotto with seared foie gras and pigeon sauce Main courses: 1. Tuna with orange caramel sauce 2. Young lamb with jus and potato purée 3. Whole lobster (de shelled) with a lobster infused sauce, tarragon, and olive oil Dessert: cheesecake and house dessert! The cheese cake was really good, not typical as made with local cheese and served with vanilla ice cream and a blue berry compote! read more

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Michelin Stars do not lie. I had one of the most amazing dinner experiences at Zuberoa. It was a true culinary adventure which did not disappoint. Set in an old farm house about 15 minutes from town... This meal was everything I could of hoped for and more. The tastes and textures were on a level I have never experienced before. Absolutely phenomenal. The only thing I knew I would take was the foie-gras and they were happy to substitute for something else on the tasting menu. read more

Zuberoa - Basque Near Me - Oiartzun, SS

Great Michelin star restaurant in Basque area of Spain near San Sebastián. Outstanding food and service. Lovely fresh food with a basque flavor read more

Coming from New York.... It's usually difficult to not be critical but Zuberoa has officially reached the peak of my list of favorite restaurants. The Basque country side trip was worth it. A lush, quiet backdrop for dinner and impeccable service provided a wonderful time. Contrary to places in New York (such as Per Se), Zuberoa has a wholesome atmosphere that isn't stuffy and charmingly old world. I will return one day to Zuberoa with my husband. I'm very pleased. read more

Mind. Blown. A rainy San Sebastián afternoon, a jaunt into the countryside, and a quiet restaurant scene complemented with the pitter patter of raindrops drizzling off the rooftop. Txakoli, local Rioja recommended by the sommelier, flavor-bursting langosta, the most succulent young milk-fed slide-off-bone lamb I've ever had, and finally a perfectly seared ahi tuna fresh from the market. Ended with a cheesecake that deserves another name because it cannot be associated with the rest of the cheesecakes in the world. Loyalists drive from all over for this queso creation. Service from everyone who attended our table was friendly and top notch. Great recommendations, prompt attention, and pleasant exchanges of conversation. read more

Absolutly the best ! You will enjoy great food, great wine and great atmosphere while feeling confortable. No posh or snob admitted!!! Just simplicity. read more

My wife and I ate at Zuberoa on July 1, 2017, and it is officially one of the top two meals I've had in my life (the other was my first visit to Manresa in Los Gatos, CA). It was so good I left them my umbrella as a token of my appreciation (ok, maybe that was really due to the good wine and the lack of rain). I really wish I had taken pictures of each one of the 11 or so dishes that made up the tasting menu so that I could relive the dining experience, but it probably would just sadden me at not being able to actually eat them again. Honestly, if you are planning a trip to San Sebastian, put this on your DO NOT MISS list and make a reservation in advance. The service was very good, as would be expected at a Michelin-starred restaurant. The waiter and sommelier were friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. There was not the huge staff that bigger establishments have, but the meal was paced perfectly and the wine pairing was good. They do not officially offer a wine-pairing with the meal, but will make it happen if requested. The food was out-of-this-world wonderful. We ate at Pur in Paris a week prior, and Chateau de Pray a few days before, but Zuberoa was the best without question. My wife and I both had the tasting menu. The dishes were imaginative, expertly prepared and presented, and they just kept coming. The chef really showcased the local produce and seafood in a way I have not experienced before. DO NOT MISS THE TASTING MENU! You cannot appreciate what Chef Arbelaritz can do by just trying one or two dishes. Get outside of your comfort zone and put yourself in the chef's hands. Overall, I would say the food is worthy of at least 2 Michelin stars, maybe 3, but the service is a solid 1-star. If you really care about having several waiters hovering over your table, try one of the bigger michelin-starred establishments. But if you value the food above all else, do not miss Zuberoa. And if it's raining when you leave, you can borrow my umbrella...:-) read more

This place is incredible - my wife and I ate here a week ago and agreed it was the best meal we'd ever had (as context, other nice restaurants we've been to are Per Se, French Laundry, Le Bernadin, Akelarre, Gramercy Tavern. My wife's previous favorite, though, was PopEye's chicken!). Frankly, both of us were surprised this place hasn't gotten more love from Michelin, Pellegrino, etc. I have no idea what those rankings use as their criteria but we only really care about taste of the food (biggest by far) and service. Taste: There wasn't a bad dish. At other 6+ course meal restaurants, there's usually 1 or 2 plates that aren't that great. We loved everything we ate and became more critical as the meal went on looking for a bad one. The food tasted great, used tons of different ingredients, and everything on each plate blended really well together. From looking at the menu beforehand, we weren't sure how it would turn out but looking back, it was incredible. It's also worth mentioning that we ate at Akelarre the night before and almost cancelled this reservation. Although Akelarre was great and the restaurant has a breathtaking view, Zuberoa was better. Service: The servers were (i) attentive - stopped by to answer questions and bring refills of drinks & bread between every plate (ii) easy-going - were very willing to substitute ingredients / plates that we didn't want from looking at the menu beforehand and (iii) knowledgeable - suggested things we may want to substitute and the wine was amazing (and relatively inexpensive). Also, the chef, Hilario Arbelaitz, was such a nice guy. He talked with us for 20-30 minutes after the meal while we waited for a cab. I thought about not writing a review because part of me selfishly doesn't want word to get out about this place but, in the end, he was such a great guy and an amazing chef that he deserves more accolades & hype. One thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant is about a 25 Euro cab ride (each way) away from the city. Not a huge deal, especially since Zuberoa is a bit less expensive than some of the other restaurants (125 Euro per person for dinner) but it's worth being aware of. Anyways, if you're planning a trip to San Sebastian and are anything like us, your first reaction will be to down the list of rankings and try to get reservations in that order. Go here instead, you'll be glad you did! read more

I love this place. Great food and exceptional service.