Ipar Itxaso II itsaskitegia — Restaurant in Barrika

This place was an absolute gem — a magic find recommended to us by a local we happened to meet on the beach. Although we were originally excited for a sunny beach day, the weather had other plans — it was pouring with rain. But as luck would have it, that led us to one of the best seafood meals we’ve ever had.

The concept is both fun and unique: you’re seated upstairs and given a shell with your table number. You then head downstairs to select your seafood from a beautiful fresh counter, buying by weight. After paying downstairs, your chosen seafood is cooked to perfection — either grilled or pan-seared — and served to your table upstairs, dish by dish. Drinks are ordered and paid for separately at your table.

Everything we tried was bursting with ocean flavour and prepared so simply and skillfully that the freshness really shone. We had scallops, mussels, grilled shrimp 😍, baby squid in ink, and the most tender octopus on a bed of silky potato purée. Even the sourdough bread with olive oil and black pepper was memorable — fresh, crusty, and deeply satisfying.

We were lucky to get a table without a reservation, but next time we’ll definitely book ahead — because there will be a next time.

Thank you for having us — what a...

Ate here a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic. Wasn't sure at 1st as it is very different to most restaurants. It is totally about the fish. You go downstairs to the fish counter where there is lots of different fresh fish - so far so good. When we asked what came with the fish, the answer was nothing. We eventually picked the sole and ordered some tomatoes and bread. I think the tomatoes could be a starter but we saved until the fish came. Fish was fantastic, tomatoes were very tasty and well seasoned and the cob loaf was lovely. Such a simple meal but so tasty I'd happily say it was one of the best fish meals I've had. Accompanied with a nice bottle of white wine and a sunset that was out of this world, it was an amazing evening. Saw a lot of people had ordered shellfish as well as fish and these were served separate as a starter so would recommend this to...

This seafood restaurant is not to be missed. The food is unbelievably good, as are the views over the coast.

You take a number then choose what you want from a counter loaded with fresh fish and seafood, or live lobsters and crabs in tanks nearby. Then it's all cooked fresh for you and you collect from the kitchen.

The seafood salad was delicious and fresh. The scallops in bechamel with leek gratin were creamy and perfectly cooked. The seafood brochette was out of this world, cooked over charcoal with tasty monkfish and king prawn that melts in your mouth. Then one of the best seafood paella I've ever eaten, with amazing squid, a ridiculous number of prawns and clams. Loaded with saffron it was a delight (though I was so full we ended up taking a lot of it home in a doggy bag).

Couldn't recommend the place...