ARREA! Jatetxea — Restaurant in Campezo/Kanpezu

Wonderful food, wonderful staff, wonderful atmosphere, where? At Arrea!

First of all, local food, with local products made by local nice people, what else do you need? Let's be clear, if you haven't yet enjoyed the cuisine at Arrea! restaurant, you better include it in your agenda! We went there at the beginning of September. The town, Kanpezu, was holding the local patron saint's day; therefore, the streets were full of local people enjoying the day. The first contact, when arriving at the restaurant, was unexpected. We were a biggish group of people to celebrate my wife’s birthday. The table lay-out was not what we expected. Oh My God! This could be a big issue! NO WAY, Edorta, not only the chef but also the alma mater of the restaurant, took the situation on his hands and satisfactorily solved the issue in a couple of minutes. Why do I bother you mentioning this issue? Because it shows the attitude of the staff of the restaurant: THEY WILL DO AS MUCH AS THEY CAN TO MAKE YOU FEEL WELL, TO MAKE YOU FEEL COOSY. Once the “non issue” settled, we started with the real matter of the day: Fun and gastronomy or Gastronomy and Fun. I will humbly confess to you we love our food, Basque gastronomy, and we often enjoy excellent restaurants both in the North of the Basque Country and in the South. Arrea! restaurant was a lovely surprise. By the way, the restaurant holds a well-deserved Michelin star. We started with the food! It is difficult to translate the menu but let me assure you that all the dishes were either a surprise, most of them, or excellently cooked food. I have attached the menu for you to discover it, a shear pleasure to taste! Wine for some people, nor for me as I am a heavy water drinker, wine is a must. At Arrea! restaurant you will have two interesting options. Enjoy a detailed wine list, a pleasure for people who enjoy wine, or enjoy with a simple but detailed “leaflet” with the wines produced really nearby Arrea! restaurant. This second option was the preferred one for my wife, that love as much wines as to learn and read about wines, as it was so visual that it allowed you select the best local wines only with a quick sight. Additionally, Kanpezu village is located in a rural and wonderful area of Araba province, called “Arabako Mendialdea” or Araba Mountains. There you can walk but also you can drive through quiet, beautiful countrysides. My piece of advice as summary: take your time, have a nice drive to Kanpezu and enjoy the excellent food at Arrea! and the beautiful countryside around...

Getting to go to @arrea.kanpezu was an experience that I will never forget. It is in a small town in the Basque region of Spain. It has one Michelin star and a green Michelin star and has earned these and more in my opinion.

The menu takes you on a journey through the mountains and areas that surround the restaurant. Only using ingredients and products from right around the restaurant. The chef takes these ingredients and creates flavors that are different than other places that I’ve eaten.

Our first course was an homage to the history of the town. The men went to work in the mountains, and their families brought them food in the afternoons. So we had a picnic on the table as our first course with pate, homemade charcuterie, and pickles.

The meal only got better from there. Every course got better. The highlights for me were the fish cheeks, quail, wild boar heart, and the shank. Honestly everything was a highlight.

This is worth the drive from Bilbao or...

Out of this world experience. Come with an empty stomach if you are coming for the tasting menu!

This is a highly recommended experience for those who are adventurous eaters.

Centered on foods from the mountain and local area, this menu features fermented local vegetables and curred meats and game. Lots of different game and meats you typically may not find.

Our menu included items from cured pigeon breast to sheep brain and duck foie paté to dried lamb intestines to sheep tongue to fried little birds to roasted partridge to grilled hearts.

This menu is not for the faint of heart with a tiny belly.

Even the dessert course was delicious and unique.

38 tastings in total and a finish with anise aperitif.

We arrived at 13:30 and left around 17:00.

In a quiet town that you likely wouldn't normally stop at, this hidden gem is definitely a stop for any gastronome or...