Créé par Romane, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
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1- Basque Piperade
Basque piperade is a flavorful dish that combines all the best local products. Basque piperade is made with garlic, onions, tomatoes, Espelette pepper and sweet peppers. Everything the Basque Country does best. This very popular dish is unanimously loved by locals. Since the 16th century, Basque piperade has been consumed without moderation, regardless of the season. This light and very tasty dish pairs wonderfully with another local specialty: the famous Bayonne ham. There is another variant of piperade where green peppers are added, which is mainly found in the Béarn lands, notably in Pau.
2- Bayonne Ham
The name of this ham doesn't necessarily correspond to the city present here, however Bayonne ham can be found both in Bayonne and in Biarritz. It's impossible to visit Biarritz without tasting this sumptuous ham. It will accompany your aperitifs, your dishes, your sandwiches and your salads. A true essential element of Basque tradition, this ham carefully salted with quality local salt from Salies-de-Béarn will make you fall in love with the Basque Country in a single bite. For perfect harmony, opt for a local red wine like Irouléguy.
3- Basque Cake
Probably the most popular and appreciated cake among the Basques. It will surely win you over. Made with a shortbread pastry generous in butter, the Basque cake is filled with a delicious vanilla-flavored pastry cream. You can also find it with another equally remarkable filling. It's black cherry jam, another Basque specialty we're going to talk about right now! Basque cake can be eaten while drinking coffee or a glass of sweet white wine.
4- Black Cherry Jam
Announced just above, black cherry jam is an excellent local specialty that can be savored in several ways. Very strong in taste, black cherry jam comes from a variety of cherry called "beltza". In addition to finding it in the popular Basque cake, it is equally delicious accompanied by cheese, and more particularly sheep's cheese. The combination of sweet and salty promises you an explosion of flavors.
5- Axoa
Axoa is a typical dish from southwestern France and notably from the Basque Country. This particular word means "chopped". This symbol of Basque gastronomy is composed of veal, garlic, onion, sweet peppers, Espelette pepper and bell pepper. Veal can be substituted with other meats like beef, pork or even lamb. You'll find this meal in almost all restaurants. It's mainly accompanied by potatoes. As for its pronunciation, axoa is pronounced "achoa" and not "axoa". In Basque, the "x" is pronounced "ch", take note for the following dish.
6- Pintxos
During a traditional aperitif, pintxos will beautifully decorate your table. Pintxos are a Basque variant of Spanish tapas, made only with local products. There are a thousand and one kinds of pintxos. On a small slice of fresh or toasted bread, you'll find products like Bayonne ham, anchovies, crab, sweet peppers and more. The best way to enjoy pintxos is to go to a traditional bar at aperitif time, sit at the counter, have a small glass of wine of your choice, and savor. You'll contemplate all the generosity of the Basque people around a very convivial aperitif.
7- Taloa
Taloa is a simple corn pancake used mainly for sandwiches. Taloa is a specialty dating from the 16th century. It served as "poor man's bread", but its use today is very common. During traditional ferias like the Bayonne festivals, you won't have trouble finding food trucks that offer taloa-based sandwiches, all accompanied by a traditional sausage called txistorra. Txistorra is a sausage made from minced pork, seasoned with garlic, red pepper and salt.
8- Irouléguy
Already mentioned earlier in the article, Irouléguy is a traditional Basque wine. You'll find it essentially as red wine although it also exists in white and rosé. The Irouléguy vineyard is the only one present on Basque lands. It is also one of the smallest vineyards in all of France. This red wine is very appreciated when eating Bayonne ham.
9- Ossau-Iraty
Known worldwide and rightly so, Ossau-Iraty is a sheep's cheese decorated twice as being the best cheese in the world. It's a whole sheep's milk cheese whose aging time varies between 80 and 120 days. How not to love the Ossau-Iraty from local producers. Taste it alone, with bread or even with traditional black cherry jam and enjoy yourself.
10- Mouchous
Although this delicious dessert comes from an error by the famous Maison Pariès, which makes renowned macarons as well as Basque cakes, mouchous are ultimately an integral part of Basque gastronomy. It's simply two macarons stuck together, rich in almonds, for twice the indulgence!