Getting a table at one of the world’s best grill restaurants takes more planning than most weddings. The good news? The schedule is simple once you know it.
This guide covers lunch times, the days it’s closed, what’s on the menu, what it costs, and how to book. We also added a backup plan for when the calendar says no.
What Are the Asador Etxebarri Lunch Hours
Lunch starts around 1:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. Monday is closed.
Sites don’t fully agree on end times. The table uses the most common listing, and your confirmation email isAsador Etxebarri Lunch Hours the final word.
| Day | Start Time | End Time |
| Monday | Closed | Closed |
| Tuesday | 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM* |
| Wednesday | 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM* |
| Thursday | 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM* |
| Friday | 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM* |
| Saturday | 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM* |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM* |
One honest warning: third-party sites don’t agree on the closing time. Some say 2:30 PM, others say 3:30 PM. That’s because this is a long tasting meal, not a quick bite. Your confirmation email is the only schedule that counts.
How Long Does the Meal Last?
Plan on roughly three hours at the table, and save your afternoon for it. The tasting menu runs 14 courses, so it’s a slow, steady parade of small plates.
That means a 1:00 PM start can run into late afternoon. Don’t book a 4:00 PM city tour. You’ll regret it.
The restaurant sits in a tiny village about 25 miles southeast of Bilbao. Most guests drive in, eat, and drive back. Public transport is thin, so line up a driver or a designated non-drinker.
Is Asador Etxebarri Open on Holidays?
Usually not around Christmas and New Year’s, and many listings also show a summer break in August. Exact dates change each year, so confirm before you book flights.
Think of the table below as a planning guide, not a promise.
| Holiday or Period | Status | What to Do |
| Christmas Eve to early January | Often closed (past listings show Dec 24 to Jan 7) | Confirm dates before booking |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Plan a different day |
| New Year’s Day | Closed | Plan a different day |
| January or February | A winter break is reported by some listings | Check the booking calendar |
| August | Closed in past listings | Choose another month |
| Other public holidays | Unclear | Ask when you request a table |
What Is on the Asador Etxebarri Menu?
The menu centers on a 14-course tasting menu cooked over live fire, priced at €280 per person with tax included. Drinks cost extra.
The kitchen uses custom grills and different woods, like holm oak and vine shoots. Chef Bittor Arguinzoniz even built some of his own tools, including a pulley system to control the heat.
The restaurant also lists an à la carte option on its booking page. Availability can change, so ask when you request a table.
Here’s what guests often talk about:
| Dish | What It Is | Cost |
| Tasting menu | 14 courses, all grilled or fire-touched | €280 per person, tax included |
| Egg yolk with white truffle | A famous starter, rich and simple | Part of tasting menu |
| Grilled prawns | Plain, sweet, and cooked just right | Part of tasting menu |
| Baby eels | A seasonal Basque favorite | Part of tasting menu |
| Homemade chorizo | Smoky and made in-house | Part of tasting menu |
| Aged beef chop | The legendary steakhouse-style cut | Part of tasting menu |
| Milk ice cream with beetroot | A surprising sweet finish | Part of tasting menu |
| Drinks | Wine, water, and more | Extra, priced by the bottle or glass |
What About Vegetarians and Dietary Needs?
The restaurant states it has no vegetarian or vegan menu. The focus is meat and fish.
If you have a serious allergy, don’t wait until you sit down. Mention it in your booking request and again by phone if you can.
If you eat plant-based, this may not be your restaurant. There’s no shame in that. A great meal is one you can actually eat.
How Do I Make Asador Etxebarri Reservations?
Book through the restaurant’s official website by sending a booking request for an open date. This is a request, not an instant confirmation.
The calendar opens gradually, and new dates appear daily. If the team has a table, they confirm. If not, you go on a waiting list.
The restaurant also notes that it can’t answer every request, given the huge volume. So patience helps.
Here’s a simple plan:
- Visit the official website and open the booking request section.
- Pick an available date and your party size.
- Submit the request and watch your email, including spam.
- Stay flexible on dates. Midweek is usually easier than weekends.
- Keep checking for newly opened dates.
How Far Ahead Should I Book?
Plan months ahead. Many travelers report booking windows of three to six months, and some wait longer.
The demand makes sense. The restaurant ranked #2 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in both 2024 and 2025. After the 2024 result, the chef said reservations were overloaded within half an hour.
Some guides also report that groups are usually limited to 2 to 6 people. Check this when you submit your request, especially if you’re traveling with a bigger group.
Also keep the time zone in mind. Spain is about six hours ahead of New York for most of the year. That matters if you’re sending a phone call at 9:00 AM Eastern, since it’ll be mid-afternoon in Axpe.
Can I Eat There Without a Reservation?
Sometimes, yes, but only downstairs and only on Sundays. The bar serves pintxos and small plates to the public.
The bar is a separate, casual space below the main dining room. It has only five tables and an on-the-day waiting list, so expect to wait.
Hours here run in the late morning to early afternoon. They can change, so ask locally. It’s not the full tasting menu, but it’s a real taste of the kitchen without a months-long chase.
What Can I Do If I Can’t Get a Table?
Try nearby grill restaurants in the Basque Country. Elkano in Getaria, known for whole grilled fish, is a popular backup.
A few smart moves:
- Check the booking page often for new openings.
- Be open to weekday dates.
- Try Sunday’s downstairs bar.
- Book a second grill restaurant as insurance.
It’s better to have a good lunch than a perfect plan that never happens.
How Much Should I Budget for the Day?
Start with €280 per person for the tasting menu, then add drinks, travel, and tip customs. Rates in dollars shift daily, so check a live exchange rate before you budget.
Wine can add a lot. So can a hotel near Bilbao and a rental car.
Think of it as a trip, not a meal. You’ll feel better about the price that way.
Quick Planning Checklist
Confirm your date, party size, diet, and driver before you book anything else. A few minutes of prep saves a lot of regret.
- Choose a Tuesday–Sunday date, since Monday is closed.
- Plan to arrive by about 1:00 PM.
- Keep your afternoon free for a three-hour meal.
- Mention allergies in your request.
- Save the restaurant’s phone number: +34 946 58 30 42.
- Re-check hours a week before you travel.
Also read:
Little Caesars Lunch Hours 2026: Times & Lunch Combo
Chick-fil-A Lunch Hours 2026: Opening Times and Menu Options
Quick FAQs
Is Asador Etxebarri open for dinner?
Rarely. It’s mainly a lunch restaurant. A Saturday evening seating appears on some listings, so confirm it when you book.
What days is it closed?
Monday is the usual day off. Expect extra closures around the winter holidays and in the summer.
Where is it?
San Juan Plaza, 1, in Axpe, Bizkaia, Spain. The village sits in the Atxondo valley between Bilbao and San Sebastián.
Is the tasting menu worth it?
Plenty of diners say yes, though a few reviews mention uneven service or seasoning. Go for the live-fire cooking and the setting.
Does the price include drinks?
No. The €280 covers the tasting menu with tax. Drinks are extra.
Final Thoughts
Asador Etxebarri keeps things simple on the calendar: lunch, Tuesday through Sunday, starting around 1:00 PM, with Monday off. The hard part is the reservation, not the schedule.
Book early, stay flexible, and clear your afternoon. If luck is on your side, you’ll get one of the great meals of your life, and a very good story to tell.
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