El Paladar by Zuriñe García

The story

El Paladar by Zuriñe García – Basque Fine Dining in Portugalete, Spain

A Chef of Distinction

Zuriñe García is one of the few women chefs of haute cuisine to have led a Michelin-starred kitchen. At El Paladar, the restaurant she now commands within the Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel, she crafts a Basque cuisine that is both deeply traditional and distinctly personal. Her skill earned her the title of Best Restaurateur from the Basque Academy of Gastronomy in 2018, and her work here has been recognised with a Michelin Recommended award for 2026—a quiet nod to the quality diners can expect.

Basque Tradition, Creative Vision

The menu at El Paladar is a thoughtful marriage of local heritage and modern technique. García’s approach begins with the raw materials: she treats each ingredient with meticulous care, sourcing the best the Basque country offers. From there, her creative vision takes over, transforming classic flavours into dishes that feel fresh and intentional. The result is a tasting experience that respects the past while looking forward, served with the kind of precision that comes only from years at the stove.

A Setting Steeped in History

El Paladar occupies the ground floor of a 19th-century mansion that once belonged to Manuel Calvo y Aguirre, a sugar planter who made his fortune in Havana and returned to Portugalete in 1898. The building’s colonial-era colours—ochre, green, blue, grey—echo his Cuban years, lending the dining room a warm, unhurried atmosphere. The hotel itself has hosted royalty, and the restaurant continues that tradition of hospitality, now focused on the art of the table. Whether you come for a set lunch or a full evening tasting menu, the experience is one of careful craft and genuine welcome.