Cantabria and the Basque Country

Cantabria and the Basque Country

Cantabria and the Basque Country

by Great British Chefs2 November 2022

These diverse autonomous regions in Northern Spain are known for sublime beaches and stellar seafood. Find out more about these historic regions.

Cantabria and the Basque Country

These diverse autonomous regions in Northern Spain are known for sublime beaches and stellar seafood. Find out more about these historic regions.

Great British Chefs is a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to bringing you the latest food stories, news and reviews.

Great British Chefs is a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to bringing you the latest food stories, news and reviews as well as access to some of Britain’s greatest chefs. Our posts cover everything we are excited about from the latest openings and hottest food trends to brilliant new producers and exclusive chef interviews.

Great British Chefs is a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to bringing you the latest food stories, news and reviews.

Great British Chefs is a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to bringing you the latest food stories, news and reviews as well as access to some of Britain’s greatest chefs. Our posts cover everything we are excited about from the latest openings and hottest food trends to brilliant new producers and exclusive chef interviews.

These two diverse, neighbouring regions in Northern Spain are both part of ‘Green Spain’, a region of the country known for its lush landscapes and thick forests. Cantabria is both mountainous and coastal, and is known for its grand curving beaches and delicious anchovies. Its verdant scenery and relative obscurity make it a beautiful and peaceful destination.

The Basque Country, bordering France and the Pyrenees mountains, is renowned for its fierce independence and world-class restaurants. The people of the Basque country have fought hard to preserve their 25,000 year old language and heritage, and this love for the region can be seen in its restaurants. San Sebastián has more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than any other city in the world, many of which focus on showing the world that it is possible to both honour Basque history and also be at the forefront of cutting edge gastronomical developments.

Read on to find out more about the wine and restaurants of the Basque Country, or try one of Elena Arzak’s recipes.

Welcome to Cantabria and the Basque Country

Keen to find out more about what Cantabria and the Basque country has to offer? Check out our complete foodie guide to the region.

World-renowned anchovies

In Cantabria, anchovies are an artform. The region’s anchovies are known around the world for their meatiness and flavour, and are good enough to eat straight from the tin.

San Sebastián: the food capital of Spain

 San Sebastián’s residents take their food incredibly seriously. One of the best ways to learn about the city? Sampling its pintxos. Learn more about these delicious treats in our guide to the city.

Elena Arzak - continuing a legacy

Want to recreate a taste of Arzak in your own kitchen? Try out some of Elena Arzak's fantastical recipes at home.

Txakolì - Basque Country’s wine revival

In the 1980s Basque winemakers worked hard to revitalise the region’s vineyards, and ensure the region’s wine can hold its own with the region’s food. Discover more about the Basque wine revival below.