During the program, there are a few meals on your own to allow you to time on your own to explore or relax. The independent meals are: in Bilbao, one dinner (Wednesday, June 8) and one lunch (Thursday, June 9) ; in Pamplona one dinner (Saturday, June 11); in Burgos, lunch and dinner (Tuesday, June 14); in León, lunch and dinner (Thursday, June 16) and in Santiago de Compostela, one dinner (Sunday, June 19) and one lunch (Monday, June 20). This list of restaurant recommendations is only a start; our hotel concierge can offer other suggestions to suit your mood and palate.

Each entry is coded with asterisks to denote approximate cost per person: under $25*, $25-45**, $45-60***, above $60 ****. The dress code for the following restaurants is casual; tie and jacket are not necessary.

In Covid times we are always aware of the attractiveness of open air dining. Whilst most of the more formal establishments mentioned here do not have outdoor seating, informal tapas bars and restaurants are commonplace in every city in Spain.

Bilbao

Bilbao has become one of the gastronomic centers of Spain with a number of fine restaurants breaking through in recent years. The main list of restaurants below are all indoor spaces but informal outdoor eating is available in the area close to the hotel. We recommend the following for outdoor seating:

In Diputazio Kalea there is:

El Globo Taberna a large tapas bar which serves copious quantities of wide ranging tapas with a particular focus on ham.

Next door is the extremely popular La Viña del Ensanche which also has varied tapas style eating. The bar itself is always very busy and it can be difficult to find a table outside so going at a less popular hour is a good idea.

In the old town around the Plaza Nueva there are many bars and restaurants with outdoor seating including the venerable Victor Montes. Old fashioned Basque food at its best in this lovely setting. The square has numerous other bars with outdoor seating.

For more formal dining:

El Perro Chico *** Aretxaga 2 esquina con calle Marzana Tel: 946 40 26 65.

Less rarefied and with typical Basque fare. An old favorite.

Etxanobe **** Avda de Abandoibarra 4-3º Tel: 944 42 10 71.

Situated on an upper floor in the Palacio Euskalduna (the convention center along the waterfront). The restaurant has garnered a Michelin star and is well-loved by locals as well as visitors. The restaurant has modern décor and cuisine.

Etxanobe has spawned two new offshoots that are getting excellent reviews:

Etxanobe La Despensa **** Calle Juan Ajurrieguerra, 8. 944 42 10 71.

The more informal Etxanobe restaurant has garnered a Michelin accolade (although not a star) and is very busy in a modern setting. The cuisine is traditional with a modern twist. Surprisingly expensive.

Atelier Etxanobe **** Calle Juan Ajurrieguerra, 8. 944 42 10 71.

In the same location is another excellent restaurant. This venue has a Michelin star and is equally busy. Menus give free range to the chefs creativity.

Perita *** Diputación 1 Tel: 944 25 78 16 Web site: http://www.peritabar.es

A modern bar with shrimps. Lots of shrimps.

Serantes **** Licenciado Poza, 16 Tel: 944 212 129

A good restaurant, near the hotel which is well known for its fish and seafood. A bar downstairs leads to a cozy restaurant upstairs. Serantes has two further branches, Serantes 2 and 3.

Zortziko **** Alameda de Mazarredo, 17. Tel: 944 239 743/63-96

Michelin-starred and near the river, close to the hotel. Serves traditional Basque cuisine.

Pamplona

Navarra is overshadowed by the Basque country for the very top-quality Michelin starred restaurants but do not be deceived, there is excellent food, and wine, to be had in Pamplona. White asparagus, red peppers, red meats are all high on the list of specialties.

The Plaza del Castillo is the location of our hotel and is also the main square in town. Itis surrounded by bars with outdoor seating including:

The iconic Café Iruña, home to the important journalists and bull breeders of the Pamplona fair. It is reasonable to say that Hemingway ate here!

Café Baviera for tapas (pintxos) and light eating as well as grilled meats.

For other outdoor eating in Pamplona we recommend trying the area around the church of San Nicolás. The Calle San Nicolás is the street of choice for cheap eats and some of the restaurants here will have outdoor seating.

The following do not have outdoor seating:

Alhambra *** Bergamin, 7 Tel: 948 24 50 07

A favorite for many decades, the surrounding area is very suburban, but the food is good including fish dishes as well as local specialties.

Kabo *** Hotel Avenida, Avenida Zaragoza 5, Tel: 948 11 92 59

Kabo is a rare example of vegetable based eating at its best in Spain.

Otano *** San Gregorio Tel: 948 225 095

This establishment offers classic Navarre cuisine with excellent fish and meat in a more traditional relaxed setting. The upstairs dining area is quite large but very popular so a reservation is a good idea. (Note: this street—San Gregorio—is a happy hunting ground for all kinds of informal restaurants).

Rodero ****Arrieta, 3 Tel: 948 228 035

Situated behind the bullring about 15 minutes from our hotel, this is the most avant garde of all Pamplona’s restaurants with modern inventive cuisine in a contemporary setting. Michelin-starred.

Burgos

Famous for roast meats, this central meseta town is a traditional place with traditional tastes.

For outdoor seating the Square in front of the cathedral (the Plaza Rey San Fernando) has several establishments including the Restaurante Don Nuño which serves traditional Spanish cuisine.

Along the river walkway on the other side of the river from our hotel is the Paseo de Espolón which has lovely outdoor venues with great views over the river. The Plaza Mayor also has outdoor seating, especially at El Soportal.

The following do not have outdoor seating:

Casa Azofra *** Don Juan de Austria, 22-24 Tel: 947 46 10 50

Another restaurant offering classic Burgos cuisine with excellent roast meat in a traditional modern setting. It is situated a little way out of town and would require a taxi ride.

Casa Ojeda **** c/ Vitoria, 5 Tel: 947 20 90 52.

A classic in Burgos this restaurant has seen decades of travelers come and go. The bourgeoisie gather in the large bar below while the upstairs dining room is filled in the evening with those wanting classic Burgos fare of black pudding, grilled lamb chops or roast pork.

La Fábrica *** c/ Briviesca, 4 Tel: 947 04 04 20.

This is a real find if a 20 minute walk from the hotel. Modern minimalist setting the food is excellent and with service to match. Reservations essential.

Mesón del Cid *** Plaza Santa María, 8, Tel: 947 20 87 15.

An institution - traditional in food, décor and building. Opposite the cathedral under the hotel of the same name. Try the suckling pig or the bean stew.

León

Another traditional town with lots of tapas bars near the Plaza Mayor in the ‘wet district’.

For outdoor seating head to area south of the cathedral especially focussing on the Plaza San Martín and the Plaza Mayor, both with myriad eateries, all pretty much as good as each other. You could start with the Mesón Jabugo on the Plaza San Martín or the Restaurante Castrillo on the Plaza Mayor, or its nearby competitor, the bizarrely named Que Trabaje Rita (“Make Rita Work”).

The following do not have outdoor seating:

Alborado Paseo de La Condesa 24 Tel: 987 221 912.

Good food which has the added advantage of being close to the hotel along the river walk.

Bodega Regia c/ Regidores 9 – 11 Tel: 987 213 173

This ancient inn is built into the old Roman walls of the city. Bodega Regia has long been a favorite for both atmosphere and traditional Leonese cuisine. Opens at 9:00 pm.

Cocinandos **** c/ Campanillas, 1 Tel: 987 071 378

Situated near the hotel by the museum of modern art. Modern touches to fine cuisine shown off in a small tasting menu.

Prada a Tope Alfonso IX - 9

This restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere with excellent bar food including peppers and sausages of the region. It is located a little way away in the “wet” district (aka the drinking area).

Santiago de Compostela

For a long time, Galician seafood has been airfreighted every morning to the best restaurants in Madrid testimony to the high quality of the local produce. Seafood is the real local specialty here although beef also figures heavily on local menus as well as pork.

You might also choose to try one of the myriad restaurants down the Rua do Franco: A Valeca, El Bombero, A Taberna do Bispo.

Auga A Sal **** Fonte de San Antonio, 8 Tel: 981 56 52 34

On the edge of the old town this restaurant divides opinions somewhat although it does get a star from the Michelin guide. A short menu with traditional ingredients treated with a light modern touch.

Casa Marcelo **** Rúa das Hortas, 1 Tel: 981 55 85 80.

Michelin starred Marcelo has been an address of reference for a long time in Santiago. Unusual combinations of flavors for Spain served in a most informal way seem to please every visitor.

Pedro Roca **** Rúa de Domingo Gardí-Sabell, 1 Tel: 981 58 57 76

A modern block is an unlikely setting but this excellent restaurant defies expectations. Located near the hotel. Modern touches to fine cuisine shown off in a short menu.