Arimune Bakio - Bakio

This was a nice restaurant. Very high end and very quiet. But the options for food we're incredibly limited. We ended up with some very odd appetizers that were... read more This was a nice restaurant. Very high end and very quiet. But the options for food we're incredibly limited. We ended up with some very odd appetizers that were not appetizing except for the croquettes which were very good. We then got some squid and beef, both of which only had enough to feed a child(there was three adults). The flavors were basic, not mind blowing, but not terrible. Then the chef came out, begging us to do a review, which I find very unappealing for a restaurant of this stature. Definitely not worth the 70€ we paid for this overpriced hole.

We had cena (dinner) at Restaurante Arimune two nights during our late October stay in Bakio. Somehow, Michelin must have missed this place. It was the best din... read more We had cena (dinner) at Restaurante Arimune two nights during our late October stay in Bakio. Somehow, Michelin must have missed this place. It was the best dining experience we had during our two weeks in Basque, and our trip included visits to quite a few Michelin star restaurants. Small, quiet, intimate dining area with soft eclectic music ranging from Bach to Chinese pipa to jazz. And the food was just extraordinary. We enjoyed memorable plates of fresh tomato salad with tomatoes from the chef's home garden, drizzled with perijil sauce and a big dot of creme fraiche flavored with a touch of tomato sauce. Our entrees included a perfect medium rare grilled beef tenderloin from organic free range beef and fresh out-of-the-water grilled langostines that still tasted of the sea. The wines offered by the bottle complimented the food perfectly, a fruity, soft Rioja with the beef and a snappy dry, citrusy Txakoli, sourced from a Bakio winery, with the langostines. All for quite affordable prices. Kudos to Chef Unai! He is the 4th generation of chefs in his family to manage Restaurante Arimune and is carrying on the family tradition brilliantly. Tom and Rebecca

Onai the chef was very friendly and encouraged us to dine at the restaurant as we were staying in the hotel. The menu choices were limited but the lady waitress... read more Onai the chef was very friendly and encouraged us to dine at the restaurant as we were staying in the hotel. The menu choices were limited but the lady waitress offered us a different choice recommended by chef Onai. We had cote de beouf whch was OK, we enjoyed the tomato salad. However, the next day when paying the bill together with the hotel bill it turned out to be very expensive compared to other places we ate at and not the price I had been quoted. The lady could not speak any English and Onai was nowhere to be seen to query the price. So to sum up delicous food but be aware of prices. Onai seemed to be lovely and we wish him well with his passion for food. Please make menu and prices clearer.

The breakfast was absolutely fantastic. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed so warmly that it immediately feels like you’re visiting friends rather than... read more The breakfast was absolutely fantastic. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed so warmly that it immediately feels like you’re visiting friends rather than staying at a hotel. That genuine, personal atmosphere carries through the whole experience. You can really taste the quality in every single product, nothing feels random or rushed. Everything is put together with so much attention to detail that even the simplicity becomes something special. It’s not an over the top breakfast, but rather a thoughtfully curated one, and that’s exactly what makes it so perfect. On top of that, the setting is beautiful. Sitting there with a view over the water, you honestly don’t want to leave, it’s the kind of place where you could easily spend the whole day. A special mention also goes to the waiter, who is part of the family that runs the hotel. His warmth and attentiveness really made the experience even more memorable. As I said, the breakfast was absolutely fantastic, definitely a place you’ll want to come back to.

My fiancee and I are in Bakio seeing some local sights, and are staying in the Hotel Arimune, which this restaurant is attached to. We stopped in at the end of... read more My fiancee and I are in Bakio seeing some local sights, and are staying in the Hotel Arimune, which this restaurant is attached to. We stopped in at the end of the day after seeing the Menu Especial posted outside, and since it was convenient to our room. We are so glad that we did. It was the perfect end to our day, and a wonderful meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful, right off the beach with great ocean views and a classy, refined decor. Our server made us feel completely at home, and was fantastic the entire meal. Very attentive, friendly, and helpful in explaining each dish, even through our slight language barrier (my Spanish sucks, but we made it work, thanks to him). Fiancee and I were already happy and comfortable from the atmosphere and service, and decided on the Menu Especial, which we had seen outside, with a bottle of wine included. The food was unbelievably good. The first three courses of housemade croquettes, a fish pie, and a puff pastry with seafood filling were all inventive, creative, beautifully plated, and, most importantly, perfectly prepared and mouth wateringly delicious. My fiancee is not a fan of seafood in general, and even she loved the plates. Our main entrees (squid in ink for me, and pork cheeks for her) were equally beautiful and delicious, and dessert closed everything out well, with the excellent service continuing throughout the meal. We both left more than satisfied, and only paid 60 euro for the experience, which to me was insane; from the quality of food and service, I would've been happy to pay more. You can really feel (and taste) the care and effort the staff here puts into their food, and I'm so glad we stopped in. This was easily the best meal I've had in my stay in Spain so far, and one of the best I've had anywhere. Highly, highly recommended.