Les Frères Ibarboure

The story

Les Frères Ibarboure – Michelin-Starred Modern Cuisine in Guéthary, France

A Family Affair in the Basque Country

On the outskirts of Bidart, near Biarritz, the Ibarboure family has built something rare: a four-star hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant that feel like an extension of the land itself. The domaine sits in a two-hectare wooded park, at the edge of a forest, where the only sounds are birds and the distant sea. Here, brothers Xabi and Patrice Ibarboure—the third generation of the family—run the kitchen as a duo: Xabi on the savory side, a Maître Cuisinier de France, and Patrice on the sweet side, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France Pâtissier.

Their Modern Cuisine is deeply rooted in the Basque Country. The brothers describe it as "sensory cooking," built around local produce and original alliances between the ocean and the mountains. They work with the seasons, drawing on the region’s rich larder—from the Atlantic coast to the Pyrenean foothills—to create dishes that are both creative and grounded. The restaurant offers several ways to experience their cooking: the Menu Coup de Cœur, a selection guided by the moment; the Menu Dégustation, a longer journey through their repertoire; and À la Carte for those who prefer to compose their own meal. An exceptional wine list and wine pairings complete the experience.

Recognition That Feels Earned

The Michelin star, awarded for high-quality cooking, is a natural reflection of the Ibarboure brothers’ daily pursuit of excellence. But the restaurant’s recognition feels less like a trophy and more like a confirmation of something the family has been doing for generations: cooking with integrity, respect for the land, and a clear sense of place. The brothers describe their values as pushing toward excellence while remaining eco-responsible, close to their producers and team.

More Than a Meal

The domaine is designed for a complete escape. Guests can stay in one of thirteen rooms, swim in the heated outdoor pool (open May to November), or book the Cabane Nordique—a Nordic spa with a sauna and an outdoor bath kept at 38°C, set at the edge of the woods. For those who want to go deeper, the restaurant offers a "Table du Chef" experience: an aperitif in the kitchen, watching the brigade at work before dinner. There are also seasonal wellness retreats combining yoga, meditation, and brunch, all tied to the rhythms of the year.

Les Frères Ibarboure is not a place for flashy gestures. It is a place where cooking, hospitality, and the Basque landscape meet quietly, and where a Michelin star simply confirms what the family has always known.