El Basque — Restaurant in Bonita Springs

What an unexpected gem. Tucked into a quiet strip center, El Basque transports you far from Florida—somewhere between an old-world Basque tavern and a buzzy New York neighborhood spot. The vibe is right: warm, understated, and somehow both cozy and elevated.

We shared a beautiful bottle of Tempranillo and made our way through a selection of dishes that felt both classic and soulful. The olives and gazpacho were the perfect start—bright, briny, and refreshing. Escargot was rich and indulgent, scallops and shrimp were perfectly cooked, and the flank steak and short ribs were deeply flavorful and comforting. Everything was beautifully presented without any pretense.

The chef clearly brings New York pedigree, but with a grounded sense of tradition that shines through the menu. Prices are incredibly fair for the quality—this place delivers on value without sacrificing experience.

It’s the kind of spot you almost want to keep to yourself… but I already can’t...

This restaurant has it all. If you like Spanish and/or European food, I will recommend you visit El Basque. For our first experience on the restaurant we only ate appetizers. Bacalao croquetas, escargots, pate (out of this world), cheese sampler, gazpacho, and a burnt cheesecake for dessert . For our second visit, we decide to order ahead of time an order a Cochinillo it takes a couple of hours to cook it but the results are yummy. Soft, with a very good flavor, not dry, it was wonderful. I will recommend "el basque" all the way. It is a small restaurant with a great atmosphere. You will enjoy it. Take a moment to talk to the chef John Colon he...

Such an amazing place. The food was delicious and unique. It's my 1st time having Basque style food. There was a few of us and we sampled some Pintxo, Entrees and dessert. All really yummy. The wine suggestions for our table was spot on. The servers know their wines and the food so well, it enhanced the dining experience. If you like art walls, this is your spot. Just beautifully done and everywhere you look. The whole place was well designed to create a warm, unique, and inviting atmosphere. The chef even comes out to check on you and he's such a genuine charming man. I can't...