The Basque Weekender is Back! Etxebarri, Txispa, Casa Julian & Txispa Yakitxori. October 16 & 17th, 2026

Spain

The Basque Weekender is Back! Etxebarri, Txispa, Casa Julian & Txispa Yakitxori. October 16 & 17th, 2026

Duration : 2 Days 2 Nights

Price From : £1,695.00

Start Location: San Sebastian

The Basque Weekender Returns – October 2026

After an incredible response to our first Basque adventure, The Basque Weekender returns this October.

Over two unforgettable days, we’ll experience some of the finest food the Basque Country has to offer, visiting three of the Basque Country’s most celebrated restaurants, including one that is consistently ranked among the very best in the world.

The journey begins with lunch at the legendary Asador Etxebarri, where Bittor Arginzoniz’s extraordinary mastery of fire has earned worldwide acclaim and made it one of the most sought-after dining experiences on the planet. We’ll also enjoy two completely different experiences at Txispa—its acclaimed tasting menu and an intimate evening dedicated to its exceptional yakitori menu. The weekend is completed with a visit to the iconic Casa Julián in Tolosa, where perfectly matured beef is cooked over glowing charcoal in what many consider to be one of the world’s greatest steak restaurants.

The tour includes all restaurant experiences and private transportation, with pick-up and drop-off in San Sebastián. We’ll take care of all travel to and from Axpe for Etxebarri and Txispa, and to Tolosa for Casa Julián, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy an extraordinary weekend of food.

With very limited places available, The Basque Weekender offers a rare opportunity to experience three of the Basque Country’s most celebrated restaurants in just two days, without the stress of securing reservations or arranging transport. Just arrive in San Sebastián, and we’ll take care of the rest

What’s Included

• All restaurant tasting menus and dining experiences 🍽️

• Transportation to and from all restaurants from the San Sebastián pick up point (Hotel Maria Christina)

• Hosted throughout by Achefabroad Tours

What’s not Included

• Accommodation

• Flights and travel to San Sebastián

• Alcoholic beverages and other drinks

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Personal expenses

Please note:

Drinks are not included and should be settled directly with the restaurants.
Hotel accommodation is not included in the tour price, allowing guests the flexibility to choose their preferred level of comfort in San Sebastián. I am happy to make recommendations and also bookings as a supplemental cost. To ensure the smooth running of the tour, the designated pick-up and drop-off location is Hotel Maria Cristina. All guests are required to join the tour from this location.

This tour is priced at £1,695 GBP

Full payment of £1,695 is required to secure your place on the tour. As reservations are made well in advance and involve restaurants with extremely limited availability, all payments are non-refundable.

To reserve your place, please contact me directly at achefabroad@icloud.com or send me a direct message on Instagram @achefabroad. Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

We carefully plan each Achefabroad Tour in advance, but on rare occasions, adjustments may be necessary due to circumstances beyond our control. Should a change be required, we will arrange an alternative restaurant of the same cuisine and quality—if not even better. Please note that such changes do not entitle guests to a refund, discount, or cancellation.

Schedule Details

Etxebarri

Nestled in the foothills of the Basque mountains, Etxebarri has become one of the most sought-after restaurant reservations in the world. Under the guidance of chef Victor Arguinzoniz, the restaurant has earned an almost mythical reputation for its extraordinary mastery of fire. What makes Etxebarri so remarkable is its simplicity. Rather than relying on elaborate techniques or complex presentations, ingredients are transformed through an unparalleled understanding of smoke, embers and temperature. From seafood and vegetables to meats and even desserts, every dish is touched by fire in a way that enhances rather than overwhelms the natural character of the ingredient. For many guests, this will be the restaurant they have travelled across continents to experience. Consistently ranked amongst the very finest restaurants on the planet, Etxebarri offers a style of cooking that is at once deeply rooted in tradition and unlike anything else in modern gastronomy. Following lunch, the guests will have time to relax at our private Basque country house before returning to nearby Txispa for the evening's exclusive yakitori experience while the other half head back to San Sebastián to prepare for dinner at Casa Julian.

Yakitxori at Txispa

As evening falls, the group will head to Txispa for one of the most exclusive dining experiences in Spain. While the restaurant's celebrated lunch service has attracted international acclaim, very few guests have the opportunity to experience its intimate evening yakitori menu. Drawing inspiration from Japan's great yakitori restaurants while remaining firmly rooted in the Basque Country, the experience centres around meticulously sourced ingredients cooked over charcoal and served directly from the grill. The result is a meal that is both remarkably simple and extraordinarily refined, showcasing the same respect for fire and ingredient-led cooking that has made Txispa one of Europe's most talked-about restaurants. With only a handful of seats available just two evenings a week, this is a rare opportunity to experience a side of Txispa that even many devoted food lovers never get to see.

Casa Julian

Few restaurants have achieved the legendary status of Casa Julián. Located in the market town of Tolosa, this unassuming family-run institution has been serving some of Spain's most celebrated charcoal-grilled beef for generations. The approach here is refreshingly simple. Exceptional ingredients, expertly sourced and cooked over glowing embers with remarkable precision. The result is a dining experience that has attracted chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers from across the globe, all seeking to understand how something seemingly so straightforward can be so extraordinary. Our dinner will showcase the restaurant's iconic txuleta alongside a selection of traditional Basque dishes, offering a memorable introduction to one of the region's most revered culinary traditions.

Txispa

Few restaurants in recent years have generated as much excitement as Txispa. Located in the small village of Axpe, just a short distance from Etxebarri, chef Tetsuro Maeda has created a restaurant that seamlessly blends Basque ingredients and traditions with influences from his native Japan.

Cooking is centred around fire, smoke and exceptional produce, resulting in a menu that feels both innovative and deeply connected to its surroundings. Each dish showcases a remarkable level of precision and restraint, allowing outstanding ingredients to take centre stage while subtle Japanese influences add complexity and depth.

Despite opening only recently, Txispa has already established itself as one of Europe's most sought-after reservations. For many guests, the opportunity to experience both the main restaurant and its exclusive yakitori experience will be one of the defining highlights of the entire tour.

Following lunch, guests will either return to San Sebastián to prepare for dinner at Casa Julian or relax at our private Basque country house before the evening's yakitori experience.