Txispa
Atxondo, Spain
In Atxondo, Txispa brings Japanese culinary precision to the traditions of the Basque asador. Chef Tetsuro Maeda works with a wood-fired grill and produce from the restaurant’s garden, creating a tasting-menu experience in a converted farmhouse. The dialogue between Japanese technique and Basque ingredients gives the restaurant a clear identity without removing it from its surroundings. Exposed stone, timber and a pared-back dining room keep the focus on the cooking. The intimate scale makes this a reservation to arrange deliberately rather than an impromptu stop. Although some directories group Txispa with Bilbao, its address is in Atxondo; visitors should plan their travel to the restaurant accordingly.