Bayonne Festival 2026: Where to Eat Well, According to Gault&Millau
From Wednesday, July 15, through Sunday, July 19, 2026, the Bayonne Festival is back! Festayres, put on your red scarves and set out to discover the city’s best spots and Basque culinary specialties.
A grand celebration of Basque culture, the Bayonne Festival is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in Basque cuisine. To recharge your batteries between festivities, check out our selection of restaurants in Bayonne offering special menus throughout the festival week.
Germaine: A Tasting Menu You Won’t Want to Miss
For the past two years, Maxime Chentouf, winner of the 2024 Gault&Millau Young Talent Award, has been a key player in the revival of Bayonne’s culinary scene. For the holidays, the chef isn’t changing course: his bistro-style counter continues to serve up straightforward, generous cuisine, inspired by the market, through a single menu priced at €58. It’s the perfect way to recharge between celebrations, in a friendly, no-frills atmosphere.
▶ I want to go to Germaine
Patxamama, the everyday eatery getting into the holiday spirit
Just a stone’s throw from the Marengo Bridge, this arty and welcoming eatery continues to do what it does best during the five days of festivities: a simple, hearty lunch for €25 all-inclusive—coriander-mint chakchouka, roasted poultry with mashed potatoes and Kampot pepper emulsion, and chocolate mousse with olive oil and chili. In the evening, the menu gets more ambitious, featuring beef bourguignon and pork belly with cocoa sauce.
▶ I want to go to Patxamama
La Table Sébastien Gravé, the institution on the riverfront
Since returning to the Basque Country, Sébastien Gravé has been running a must-visit restaurant in Bayonne. During the holidays, the chef offers a festive menu [price to be confirmed], as well as “Sebby’s Tapas Bar,” where live music and tapas go hand in hand every day from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
▶ I want to go to La Table Sébastien Gravé
Nuance, a gourmet and sustainable culinary escape
In the heart of Old Bayonne, chefs Brice Goeuriot and Margaux Le Baillif serve up local, socially conscious cuisine, sourced from producers, fishermen, and winemakers in the Basque Country and the Landes region. Between celebrations, their blind-tasting menu—available in several courses ranging from €44 to €79—offers a more intimate escape—with a warm atmosphere, natural materials, and seasonal ingredients—to take a breather away from the hustle and bustle of the waterfront.
▶ I want to go to Nuance
Le Chistera, the institution under the arches
Located under the arched passageways of Rue Port-Neuf for 60 years, this family-run restaurant carries on the tradition of Basque cuisine made with fresh ingredients. During the holidays, you’ll still find the restaurant’s must-try dishes here: koskera hake, ham with piperade, tripe, and homemade Basque cake—enough to recharge your batteries in a friendly, no-frills atmosphere at reasonable prices.
▶ I want to go to Chistera
