Restaurant Txalupa sur Saint-Jean-De-Luz

Excellent in every way. Several visits over several years and the quality of service is always top-notch. Not to be missed.

Unbeatable location in Place Louis XIV. We went with high expectations and the team at La Txalupa delivered. We started with a textbook Foie Gras: perfect texture and intense flavor. But the undisputed star is the Sole Plantxa (Sole). At €38 a dish, you expect quality, and they certainly delivered; fresh product, treated with absolute respect. Honorable mention to the wine (Gascogne Big Blc), a fantastic discovery for €22 that pairs beautifully with the fish. The service was surprisingly attentive and efficient for a tourist spot. The only downside: €5 for half a liter of Vittel water seems like highway robbery, but we forgive them for the final Gateau Basque. Recommended if you want quality and don't mind the price.

A fantastic find at the end of October; everything was perfect, from the welcome to the dessert. A very warm welcome, a beautiful restaurant, a delicious meal with high-quality ingredients—what more can you say when everything is perfect, except that we highly recommend it!

Second visit to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and we were once again well received. High-quality, refined cuisine. Attentive staff. We recommend it.

There are restaurants that don't try to impress, but simply aim for perfection—and this one, nestled in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, achieves this with rare elegance. From the very first bite, the trout tartare sets the tone: a fresh, delicately seasoned dish where each bite offers an explosion of flavors. The fish's delicate texture, enhanced by a few tangy and herbaceous notes, whets the appetite without ever feeling heavy. Next comes a slow-cooked hake, a subtle homage to the nearby sea. The pearly, melt-in-your-mouth flesh flakes apart with a fork, a promise fulfilled. The accompanying risotto is a model of its kind: creamy without being overly so, perfectly al dente, harmoniously combining the fish's briny flavor with the rice's delicate sweetness. And to conclude, a simply succulent Basque cake—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with a rich and delicate cream filling. A finale imbued with authenticity, like a nod to local tradition. In short: sincere, expertly prepared, and delicious cuisine, where each dish demonstrates a genuine respect for the ingredients. An address to recommend without reservation to lovers of the Basque Country… and good taste. And also to the front-of-house staff, delightful, attentive, and incredibly responsive. Their kindness and professionalism further enhance the dining experience—a truly flawless experience from start to finish.