Ibarrangeluko batzokia — Restaurant in Ibarrangelu

I was riding my bike, as one does when you’re searching for adventure—or maybe just a distraction from the daily grind. Somewhere along the winding roads, that gnawing hunger kicked in, the kind that demands you find something more than just a quick snack. So, I stopped at this local batzokia, thinking I’d pop in for a few pintxos, a small bite to tide me over. Instead, what I found was a culinary embrace that made me feel like I’d stumbled upon a hidden gem, a place that not only fed my stomach but my soul. The waitress—let’s just say she could have been my long-lost sister. The kind of warmth and care that makes you wonder if you’ve known her in another life. The Basque people have this reputation, sure, but she took it to another level, welcoming me as if I was family returning from years at sea. “Just a few pintxos,” I told her. She smiled, and I swear there was a twinkle in her eye as she convinced me otherwise. Soon, a meal arrived that was more than a stop-gap; it was a revelation. The first plate? A symphony of rice and vegetables, perfectly cooked until the veggies softened into submission. It wasn’t flashy, but damn if it didn’t hit the spot in ways I hadn’t anticipated. This wasn’t just food, it was comfort in every bite, more satisfying than the pintxos I thought I wanted. Then came the ribs. These weren’t your average barbecue shack ribs—they were more delicate, with meat that slipped off the bone as effortlessly as leaves fall from a tree in autumn. Paired with a side of mashed potatoes that could’ve been a meal unto themselves, it was the kind of dish that makes you forget everything else. Time, place, all of it fades into the background as you savor the richness. For dessert, I had my heart set on a brownie, but as luck would have it, they’d just run out. No matter—I ended up with some ice cream instead. A cool, sweet end to a meal that already felt like a homecoming. So, if you’re looking for more than just a place to eat—if you want a place where you’re treated not just with respect, but like family—this pub is where you need to go. Trust me, the pintxos are tempting, but the meal will change your day. Maybe...

Con un menu de 15/20e uno ya sabe lo que se espera. Pero con un menu de 25e normalmente las cosas no son mejores... Hay materia prima mas caras (que no mejores) o platos algo mas exóticos, pero no mejor. Y pagas mas por una experiencia similar pero con otro platos. Se nos paso la hora, nos pillo al paso y a ciegas lo intentamos. Llegamos tarde, si no habían cerrado la cocina estaban a punto y nos lo dijo. Nos atendieron con la condicion del menu (nada de carta), de 25 e, y sin un plato. No era un menu profuso, ni tampoco elaborado, dos ensaladas, una con anchoa y atun, la otra tomate solo, pimientos fritos en los primeros, y los segundos, alitas fritas, bacalao plancha, lomo y las costillas que no habia. Casi solos en el salón nos hizo dudar. Un silencio al que no de estamos acostumbrados cuando salimos a comer. Pocas veces, muy pocas por no decir ninguna, he topado con una calidad de producto tal en un menu de alineación básica y de precio incongruente con el tipo de menu. Los tomates perfectos en ambas ensaladas, pelados, en su temperatura y maduracion, riquisimos y bien aliñados, el atún un poco escaso pero de calidad y las anchoas igual. La lechuga recien cogida parecía, cosa dificil hasta en restaurantes de carta que ya optan por el infernal mezclum sin remordimientos ni congoja. Sin aceitunas que desviaran la atención, arriesgado. Hasta la cebolla estaba rica. Como no pedimos pimientos, nos los puso al centro dentro del menú. Perfectos. Los cuatro lomitos sencillos riquísimos y de escaso tamaño (indicativo de la edad del animal). Una cola de bacalao plancha de primera calidad... Escasa, yo hubiera neecesitado 3 mas, pero otra (2) se hubiera agradecido. Las alitas bajaban un poco pero igual de ricas. Un solo postre, suficiente. Natillas. Bien. Si quiera poner un pero sería algo más de cantidad para lo grandes como yo. Nuestra enhorabuena al local y al cocinero que nos hizo difrutar tanto con un menú tan elemental. La atención muy buena todo el rato. Otras veces he pagado menos más a disgusto que hoy. Mas locales con menús cortos o fijos, donde disfrutar de una cocina de calidad y bien ejecutada sea la prioridad. Me quedo con las ganas de haber probado una carne local en esas...

Unfortunately, our experience today was quite disappointing. Based on the ratings here, we expected something basic but decent — however, the reality didn’t meet even those expectations.

To be fair, the red wine was very good for the price, and the octopus was okay. But the rest of the food was a real letdown: the fish was cold and undercooked, even after sending it back, and the potatoes were not fully done. Most dishes were overly oily, which made the whole meal quite heavy and unappetizing.

We rarely leave negative reviews, but we genuinely wish we had been warned — it would’ve saved us the...