Arrantzaleak L' Auberge aux Poissons — Restaurant in Bayonne

Really fantastic and most authentic Basque restaurant on Ciboure (just across the Urdazuri river from St Jean de Luz).

Basically dedicated to grilled fish, masterly managed in a way that is probably influenced by the best grills in the world (the ones just at the other side of the border, and both Getaria -Elkano- and Orio -Xixario- come to mind).

With a nice venue, set quite in the traditional Basque fashion, beautifully fresh raw materials, very nice and efficient service (serious but professional), and a proven expertise with the grill, the result can only be a real jewel, and so it is: delicious sardines grillées, great (and big) merlu de ligne grillé pour 1 personne, wonderful (and quite modern) filet dr maigre grillé avec girolles and the best grilled bonite we've had in Iparralde up to date, quite at the Asturian level (maybe even better).

All this at around €26 / head, including two Basque EKI beers (definitely less exciting and more industrial vs the Aker Beltz I had the other day), seems quite a good value deal to me.

Highly recommendable. Among the most authentic Basque places we've been...

There can’t be many fish restaurants like this left in France. With a tree growing in the middle of the restaurant, a view of the harbour and Saint Jean de Luz, it’s a find. On the wrong side of the tracks, east of the railway line, it’s better to drive here. But it’s close (3 mins walk) to the budget Ibis hotel, where I’m staying. I had succulent Padron peppers, Saint Pierre fillet with lemon risotto and a huge almost lobster sized prawn and for desert a gateau Russe - a sort of nutty chewy biscuit with pistachio ice cream. Everything delicious. They were friendly to a woman on her own and allowed my dog Nena to accompany me. She slept contented under the table all evening. Thank you for a...

This restaurant is the definition of hidden gem, located the other side of the canal in saint Jean de Luz. Great atmosphere, with a view on the canal. Outstanding food quality, especially fishes & seafood, but the pork from Ospital was on par. Mussels were phenomenal, good sardines & excellent merlu, octopus perfectly cooked. Dessert were great too. Short but high quality wine list and sold at fair price. The whole service was very friendly & professional, but a special thank you to Sylvain who made our experience even more special! Congrats again to the team and hopefully see you...