Restaurante Elkano

Restaurante Elkano is a one-Michelin-star restaurant in the fishing village of Getaria, Gipuzkoa, on the Basque Country's Atlantic coast, and is considered one of the finest fish restaurants in the world. The restaurant was founded by Pedro Arregui and continues under his son Aitor Arregui, who has become one of the most respected voices in Basque coastal gastronomy. Elkano's philosophy is deceptively simple: buy the best possible fish and shellfish from the adjacent Getaria harbour, grill it over charcoal with precise control of heat and timing, and serve it with minimal interference. This philosophy, applied with the skill of a lifetime's practice, produces results of extraordinary quality. The signature dish is the whole turbot (rodaballo a la brasa) — a large, flat fish grilled whole on both sides and served at the table where the top fillet is lifted away to reveal the underside, which is basted with olive oil and served with its own cooking juices. The ritual of eating the turbot at Elkano — four distinct parts of the fish, each with different texture and fat content — has been written about by virtually every serious food journalist in the world. Grilled txangurro (spider crab), fresh anchovies, kokotxas (cod cheeks), and seasonal local shellfish complete the menu. Prices reflect the quality and sourcing: a whole turbot for two costs approximately €65–80 per person. Reservations are essential, often weeks or months in advance.