The Tamesis
where to eat
The Basque Country has long been known for its unique cuisine: from fire-roasted meats and fish plates, to hot stews and signature Basque pastries. Now, Biarritz is becoming a foodie’s paradise, with countless buzzing restaurants helmed by France’s top chefs and curious creatives from around the world eager to try the region’s bountiful ingredients. If you’re just passing through, pick up a box of Basque macarons (a close cousin of the Parisian macarons) from the famous Maison Adam to take home, then head to Les Halles food market, where you can sample Basque delicacies from a variety of local fruit, vegetable, cheese and meat vendors. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a traditional Basque tavern, head to the beloved Le Bar Jean restaurant for tapas, paella and meat dishes.
Wake up late and head to Bleach, a casual, design-filled café just minutes from Biarritz’s surf zone. Founded by former professional skater Jon Monié and his partner Stéphane Borgne, the restaurant serves simple, seasonal food made with high-quality local ingredients, such as light breakfasts, premium sandwiches and soups, as well as natural wines and gourmet coffee, all presented in a sunny, casual space that effortlessly captures the cool vibe of the town. If you’re looking for the best coffee and delicious banana bread in town, Café Loky won’t disappoint.
Les Enfants du Marché La Table, formerly the Carøe restaurant, is the seaside branch of the famous market counter Les Enfants du Marché in the Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Haut Marais district of Paris. Bringing their laid-back, produce-first cooking to the Basque coast is not the business of one chef, but of a group of people who truly care about where their ingredients come from. The menu is subject to change based on fresh ingredients, but you can expect simple yet delicious dishes such as grilled fish, beautifully cooked meats and perfectly cooked seasonal vegetables. This is a place for sharing, with natural wines and a relaxed, lively atmosphere.
Chéri Bibi opened a few years ago under new ownership, transforming a former fish shop into a casual restaurant that focuses on local, organic and seasonal ingredients, with a daily changing sustainability-focused dinner menu that features 60 to 70 percent vegetables, as well as high-quality, sustainably sourced fish and meat. While there is no physical wine menu, guests can enter the wine cellar and personally select a bottle of natural wine to pair with their meal.
If you want something simpler, head to the beloved Nelly’s for a burger, or head to Le Corsaire or Casa Juan Pedro by the fishing port, or Chistera et Coquillages in town for some of the best unpretentious seafood and Pintex In Biarritz.
Away from town, Villa Magnan’s restaurant De Puta Madre is set in the shady gardens behind the hotel, where guests can enjoy meals under the hotel’s old oak trees, with ingredients sourced from nearby local farms. A single menu is available for dinner at €85 per person, and an à la carte sharing menu is available for lunch.
