How much does it cost to eat at Etxebarri, the grill restaurant in a small Basque town that is the best restaurant in Europe and second in the world in 2025?

Bittor Arginzoniz has done it again. Despite  not securing the first position  in the prestigious list  The World’s 50 Best Restaurants , the grill master of  Asador Etxebarri  has maintained an impressive second place, a title he defended last year when Barcelona’s Disfrutar claimed the top spot. This year,  Maido , located in Lima, Peru, emerged as the best restaurant in the world, with Etxebarri holding its ground as the leading establishment in Europe.

The much-anticipated list, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, was unveiled on Thursday, June 19, held at the Auditorium Giovanni Agnelli in the Lingotto Fiere complex in  Turin, Italy . The gala brought together some of the most significant figures in international gastronomy. In addition to Etxebarri, other Spanish restaurants made their mark in the top 50:  DiverXO (4th), Elkano (24th), and Enigma (34th) , the latter being a new entry.

Taking the third position is the Mexican restaurant  Quintonil , run by Jorge Vallejo, which climbed three spots from last year’s rankings. Fourth place went to  Alchemist  in Copenhagen, helmed by Rasmus Munk, which previously occupied eighth place.

Having opened its doors in 1991, Asador Etxebarri, under the guidance of  Bittor Arginzoniz , boasts a Michelin star and a nearly flawless trajectory. Since its debut on the list in 2008 at position 44, it has steadily resurfaced, culminating in a second-place finish in 2024. This year, speculations of a potential first-place finish did not materialize, but Arginzoniz’s accomplishment remains commendable. Additionally, his sommelier,  Mohamed Benabdallah , received the special award for Best Sommelier in the World 2025.

Set in the picturesque  Atxondo Valley , at the foot of Mount Anboto,  Asador Etxebarri  is situated in the quaint village of Axpe, which boasts a mere 1,300 residents. The restaurant is nestled within a stone farmhouse, surrounded by lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes — a veritable haven for food enthusiasts and lovers of grilled cuisine.

At Etxebarri, patrons do not choose from a menu of individual items; instead, diners experience a  blind tasting menu . Guests are not informed of their meal selections until they are seated, creating an air of anticipation. The dishes included in the extensive tasting menu are seasonal to ensure the best ingredients are available throughout the year. The menu is priced at  280 euros  excluding drinks, and, unsurprisingly, features grilled items as a central theme.

Diners can expect to savor grilled delicacies such as  chorizo, salted anchovies, sea urchins with turnip, red shrimp, cod kokotxa, egg yolk with black truffle, fresh chorizo tartare, sea bream, or beef chop .

Many assert that Etxebarri is one of the most  exclusive restaurants  globally. This claim is not solely based on its price, which is indeed prohibitive for many, but also on the difficulty in securing a table at one of the ten available seats in the charming farmhouse of Axpe. Reservations operate on a  request basis ; potential guests are encouraged to choose a date and submit their request. Due to high demand, they are asked for patience in awaiting confirmation.

Once a reservation is confirmed at Etxebarri, customers must  pay for the menu in advance  for the total number of guests. Should customers cancel or alter their reservation, they must do so at least five days prior to their scheduled date. If they fail to do so, or if they do not show up or bring fewer guests than originally confirmed, they will  not receive a refund  of the paid menu cost.

This structured article provides comprehensive insights into Asador Etxebarri, covering its recent accolades, culinary offerings, and reservation process, while ensuring it remains within the requested word count and maintains an engaging tone.



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