Basque restaurants in London have been growing in popularity in recent years; the capital's been trading the intricate flourishes of fine dining for the raw, elemental power of the Basque grill, from the smoky corners of Shoreditch to the refined streets of Belgravia.
Londoners have always loved Spanish food, but the Basque movement is different. It resonates with a modern desire for transparency and product-led cooking. When restaurants like Brat and Mountain began treating British turbot and ex-dairy beef with the same reverence found in the hills of Getaria, we took notice. It’s a style of eating that feels honest, and in our guide, you'll find some of the best Basque restaurants London has offer for you to get your fix.
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What Is The Basque Country?
The Basque Country is a region straddling the border of northern Spain and southwestern France. Hemmed in by the Pyrenees and the Bay of Biscay, it is home to one of Europe’s most mysterious cultures. The Basques are often called the 'living fossils' of Europe; they speak Euskara, a language isolate that predates the Roman Empire and bears no relation to any other known tongue.
This fierce independence is etched into their history. Having survived centuries of invasions and political upheaval, the Basque people forged a culture centred around the caserío (family farmhouse) and a deep, spiritual connection to the land and sea.
What Is Basque Food?
Basque food is about the fanatical pursuit of the best possible ingredients and the guts to let them stand alone. The cuisine is split between the coast and the mountains, and you can expect the likes of turbot, cooking on the asador (grill), and nibbles known as pintxos, perfect with a glass of Txakoli wine.
Our Guide To Basque Restaurants In London
1. Mountain
- Location: 16-18 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9RD
- Booking tip: aim for the ground floor for the open kitchen buzz; the basement is better for intimate groups. Book at least a couple of weeks in advance
- Why I recommend: in 2024, Mountain earned a Michelin star and has held it since. It's a testament to its consistently high-quality cooking. One of my favourite things about the restaurant is its lengthy menu that's forever changing with fresh ingredients. It's impossible to try everything and therefore essential that you go back
The second act from Tomos Parry (the mastermind behind Brat), Mountain is a Michelin star Basque restaurant in London that has quickly become one of Soho's most difficult tables to snag. It’s a two-floor dining space that smells perpetually of lush oak smoke, as is identifiable from the onset with wine bottles lining its windows.
It's a gorgeous place to dine for a date or a family dinner, thanks to its sharing-style plates. It does seafood exceptionally well, and is adored for its luxurious whole lobster caldereta, as well as Dover sole, or Ikejime seabass. The smoked potatoes are to-die-for, and it would be amiss to leave and not have tried the cinnamon ensaïmada with ginger, or torrija with poached pear for dessert.
Mountain's first floor lets in a lot of natural light, compared to its intimate, cavernous basement.
2. Brat
- Location: 4 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JL
- Booking tip: if the Shoreditch flagship is full, check their sister site, Brat x Climpson’s Arch, for a more casual, outdoor courtyard dining experience
- Why I recommend: I love the smell of smoke here, as it really gets me excited for the meal ahead. Brat is a well-oiled machine of a restaurant that, while famed for its delicate fish, has made quite the name for itself in the bread department thanks to its offering with anchovy, one of my favourites
Named after the Old English word for turbot, this Michelin-starred restaurant is arguably responsible for London's current Basque obsession. The expertise at Brat is found in the besuguera, the hand-forged metal baskets used to suspend fish over cherry and oak embers. It is a slow process of basting and turning that coaxes the collagen from the fins into a sticky, gelatinous sauce, rendering the skin crackling-crisp while the meat remains succulent.
Beyond the fish, the kitchen demonstrates a deep understanding of ageing. Their beef and game are hung until the flavours are concentrated, then hit with high-velocity heat to create a Maillard-reaction crust that is the hallmark of a true Basque asador.
Brat is a very popular place in Shoreditch to try Basque cuisine.
3. Prince Arthur Belgravia
- Location: 11 Pimlico Road, Belgravia, SW1W 8NA
- Booking tip: secure your spot in advance for a Sunday lunch that swaps the roast beef for a wood-fired steak
- Why I recommend: this Michelin Guide-mentioned pub has earned its spot with its meticulous attention to detail and dedication to authentic techniques. It's perfect for a couple of pintxos and wine, or a full feast with your loved ones
Looking for the best Basque restaurant in London? Well, how about The Prince Arthur, a polished London pub that operates with the soul of a Basque caserío. The expertise here is subtle, found in the seamless integration of high-end British produce with the searing techniques of the Basque region. You'll find a state-of-the-art grill, custom-built and imported from Spain, which lays the foundation of its wood-fired cooking.
The pub excels in the finishing touches. Their native lobster rice with saffron aioli is delightfully indulgent, and their Basque cheesecake is a study in texture and super custardy at the centre, proving that their pastry team is just as skilled as those manning the grills.
Gorgeous ox-blood red walls and woven chairs with leather seats make up this pretty spot.
4. Sagardi
- Location: Cordy House, 95 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3BS
- Booking tip: check out their butcher’s counter at the front before you sit, it’s a masterclass in meat ageing
- Why I recommend: this Basque restaurant in London is authentic as they come; at the heart of the experience is the custom-made Basque grill, where master grillers use emotional intelligence to transform wild-caught seafood and prime-aged meats into culinary masterpieces, and it's simply brilliant to watch
Born from the childhood memories of brothers Iñaki and Mikel López de Viñaspre in their grandmother’s kitchen, Sagardi is a global ambassador for authentic Basque gastronomy. For over 30 years, it's bridged the gap between traditional farmhouses (baserria) and the modern table, rooted in a product-first philosophy where fire and raw materials take centre stage.
From the iconic pintxos bar to the sacred Basque txuleton, every element reflects a deep-seated respect for the land and the ancestral knowledge of the Basque people. The menu is a testament to purity, featuring the world-famous 'txuleton' beef steak and organic vegetables from Sagardi’s own gardens and an exhaustive cellar of over 250 wines, including traditional sagardo cider and Txakoli.
Enjoy a glass of wine and some pintxos at Sagardi.
5. Lurra
- Location: 9 Seymour Place, Marylebone, W1H 5BA
- Booking tip: they have a wonderful private dining room if you’re looking to host a large-scale Basque feast
- Why I recommend: Lurra is perhaps best known for its pioneering approach to beef, specifically its celebrated Galician Blond 'old cows.' Unlike standard practices, these animals are reared for twelve to sixteen years, resulting in a distinct marbling and depth of flavour that only age can provide
Taking its name from the Basque word for 'land,' Lurra is a testament to the power of patience, tradition, and the charcoal grill. Inspired by the Erretegia (grill houses) of the Basque Country, this culinary destination focuses on enhancing the natural virtues of meticulously sourced ingredients.
Since opening in 2015, Lurra has carved out a reputation for its product-first philosophy, where simple yet masterful preparations, like their legendary tomato salad and whole grilled wild turbot, allow the true flavours of the land and sea to shine. At the heart of the kitchen is the traditional wood fire, a method that respects the integrity of the produce while imparting the deep, smoky aromas synonymous with Northern Spain.
Octopus with piquillo (pictured right).
6. Ibai
- Location: 92 Bartholomew Close, City of London, EC1A 7BN
- Booking tip: a favourite for the corporate Barbican crowd, so lunch bookings are just as competitive as dinner
- Why I recommend: if you enjoy a glass of wine with your meal, then you'll be thrilled to find that complementing the savoury intensity of the grill is a well-stocked cellar designed for the true wine enthusiast and a dessert selection that honours tradition through dishes like the Ibai gâteau Basque
When it comes to Basque restaurants, London's Ibai represents a sophisticated evolution of one, with the buzz of an open kitchen. Backed by the expertise behind the renowned Donostia, Ibai distinguishes itself by leaning into the elegant French influences of the Northern Basque region. This cross-border culinary dialogue is perfectly encapsulated in their signature ‘Croque Ibai’, a luxurious pintxo featuring carabinero, boudin noir, and Tomme de Brebis.
The heart of Ibai’s kitchen lies in its mastery of the embers, where fire is used to elevate everything from succulent king crab rice to the iconic Galician Blond steaks. The menu showcases an impressive range of rare breeds, including Spanish black Angus and Welsh fullblood wagyu, alongside coastal treasures like turbot chops and XL carabinero prawns.
Ibai knows what it's doing when it comes to flame-kissed meats.
7. Donostia
- Location: 10 Seymour Place, Marylebone, W1H 7ND
- Booking tip: great for walk-ins at the bar, though table reservations are recommended for dinner
- Why I recommend: I think this spot is a great shout for stopping in for a quick glass of Txakoli and a few pintxos after shopping around the area, or settling in for a full spread of seasonal tapas
Named after the Basque name for the coastal culinary capital of San Sebastián, Donostia brings the refined essence of North West Spain to the heart of Marylebone. This intimate 40-seat destination specialises in Basque-inspired tapas and pintxos, meticulously prepared by a high-calibre team of chefs. The menu is all about seasonality and quality, designed to transport you to the bustling bars of the Bay of Biscay through small plates.
The restaurant’s layout reflects the social, transparent nature of Basque dining culture, featuring a prominent dining bar where you can watch the kitchen’s artistry unfold in real-time. You can look forward to tucking into the likes of Iberico de Bellota pork shoulder with chimichurri sauce, white anchoives with red piquillo peppers, and Manchego with Idiazabal and Blue de Basque cheese.
Donostia offers a great social setting for catch-ups.
8. Alta
- Location: Ground Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby, Soho, W1B 5PW
- Booking tip: get a seat at the counter to watch the chefs navigate the massive open-fire grill
- Why I recommend: the drink program at Alta is as intentional as its kitchen, leaning heavily into low-intervention wines and ethical production from small-scale European vineyards. In a nod to the traditional cider culture of the Basque Country, the bar features a curated selection of UK-produced ciders and a rotating 'wall of wines' and cocktails on tap
Inspired by the rugged, fire-led traditions of the Navarra region, Alta in Soho marries the essence of Northern Spanish cooking with the very best of seasonal British produce. The experience is centred around an energetic open kitchen and grill, where live flames transform raw ingredients into a dynamic array of shared plates.
From adventurous starters like smoked pork cheek and sea bream crudo to substantial grilled mains like 35-day aged sirloin with smoked bone marrow and Sika venison, the menu reflects a sophisticated yet rustic approach to modern Basque-influenced dining.
Alta Soho's private dining room is a looker (pictured).
9. Bar Valette
- Location: 28 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2 8AA
- Booking tip: walk-ins are pretty easy here, though I'd book if you want to secure your table - it’s often a bit more relaxed than a handful of popular Shoreditch grills
- Why I recommend: while not classically Basque, I feel Bar Valette is a good segway into pintxos, and offers a laid-back bistro setting where you can unwind with a great glass of wine over a couple of nibbles or hearty dishes. It's a punchy take on Franco-Spanish gastronomy
Operating with the pedigree of The Clove Club behind it, Bar Valette is a bistro that captures the intersection of Southern French and Spanish culinary traditions. The menu nods to the Pyrenees region, seamlessly blending rustic comfort with refined technique, where you'll find the likes of rabo de toro (a Spanish stew) alongside duck fat sauteed potatoes in persillade.
The dining experience encourages a modern, flexible approach, moving from small snacks like Swiss chard barbajuans and their famous buttermilk fried chicken, to substantial, prime-produce sharing dishes. Leveraging the elite supplier network of its sister Michelin-starred restaurant, the kitchen places a premium on ingredient quality, evidenced by heavenly lamb chops meant to be eaten by hand.
It's all about jambon at Bar Vallette.
10. Pintxito
- Location: 34 The Market, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RF
- Booking tip: perfect for a pre-theatre bite; it’s fast, buzzy, and right in the middle of the action
- Why I recommend: beyond the cold counter bites, the menu expands into hot tapas and signature dishes like the Txigortuta beef brisket toastie and rich Txangurro crab rice, so you could make a meal out of it and pair your dishes with the exclusively Basque drinks list, featuring local favourites like effervescent Txakoli wine, Rioja Alavesa, and traditional patxaran
Nestled within the historic arches of Covent Garden, Pintxito captures the lively, communal energy of the bars in San Sebastián and Bilbao. Complete with a buzzing al-fresco terrace, it's a tribute to the txikiteo, the traditional Basque art of bar-hopping.
Under the direction of Executive Chef Nacho Del Campo, the menu centres on the pintxo. From the Gilda - the iconic green olive, anchovy, and guindilla pepper skewer - to award-winning Santoña anchovies and creamy cod brandada, every dish celebrates the seasonal flavours of Spain’s northern gastronomic heartland.
Head to Covent Garden for a selection of pintxos after your shopping.
