Chistera & Coquillages
A chic Biarritz spot serving artfully presented seafood, tapas, and paella with a passionate team and a vibrant atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Chistera & Coquillages
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A chic Biarritz spot serving artfully presented seafood, tapas, and paella with a passionate team and a vibrant atmosphere.
Arrive Early
To guarantee a table, aim to arrive before the kitchen opens at 19:30.
Share Dishes
Portion sizes are generous, so consider sharing to sample a wider variety of the menu.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, French, Spanish
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+33 5 59 41 89 45
Address
13 Rue des Halles, 64200 Biarritz, France
Website
chisteraetcoquillages.fr/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Seafood Paella
Indulge in the renowned seafood paella, bursting with generous portions of shrimp and mussels for a truly satisfying taste of the sea.
Pintxos Perfection
Savor a delightful array of pintxos, including must-try padron peppers and creamy ham & cheese croquettes.
Exceptional Sangria
Experience sangria that's been called the 'best ever,' a perfect accompaniment to the vibrant atmosphere and flavorful dishes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early
To guarantee a table, aim to arrive before the kitchen opens at 19:30.
Share Dishes
Portion sizes are generous, so consider sharing to sample a wider variety of the menu.
Navigating the Menu
While the menu might not have translations, ordering random dishes often leads to delicious discoveries.
Paella Shrimp Prep
Be prepared to remove the shrimp tails when enjoying the flavorful seafood paella.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early
To guarantee a table, aim to arrive before the kitchen opens at 19:30.
Share Dishes
Portion sizes are generous, so consider sharing to sample a wider variety of the menu.
Navigating the Menu
While the menu might not have translations, ordering random dishes often leads to delicious discoveries.
Paella Shrimp Prep
Be prepared to remove the shrimp tails when enjoying the flavorful seafood paella.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Chistera & Coquillages is celebrated for its incredibly fresh seafood, particularly the highly recommended paella and pintxos. Diners consistently praise the vibrant atmosphere and the exceptionally friendly and passionate service team. While some note a lack of menu translations, the overall dining experience is overwhelmingly positive, making it a must-visit spot.
"Very good seafood restaurant with really fresh and amazing food. We took oysters, pintxo with foie gras, turbot, ceasar salad and menu for kids. All were delicious along with with very kind service. I would only work on improvement of wine menu. I recommend this place!"
Tadeusz Woszczyński
"We arrived at Halles de Biarritz as it was closing at 2pm, so we decided to go next door to Chistera & Coquillages with its inviting outdoor tables. The cochon au lait and seafood paella are really good, paired with a glass of local white wine. Very cool and relaxing vibe."
Carl Wong
"I'm giving this place a full 5 star rating because of many reasons, but the biggest is the sangria. The sangria here is the best that I've ever had. And I have drank a lot of sangrias. I came back here twice on a 4 day trip just to have the sangria. Top."
Oliver Ferguson Jr
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The seafood paella and pintxos, especially the ham & cheese croquettes, are highly recommended by diners.
Booking is recommended as the restaurant can get busy, with many people waiting for tables.
Arriving early, before the kitchen opens at 19:30, is advised to secure a table.
While known for seafood, the menu offers variety. It's best to inquire directly about specific vegetarian or vegan accommodations.
The restaurant offers a chic and stylish space with a vibrant, popular, and sometimes vibey atmosphere.
Some diners have noted that the menu might not have translations, leading to adventurous ordering.
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Ravioli with local ham and ewe’s milk blue cheese; Basque smoked anchovies; lamb kofta, pistachio and chutney made with dried fruit; Spanish-style fish parillada; home-made paella; octopus and xistora with Sakari. At Chistera et Coquillages, the dishes are just as dynamic as the excellent service provided by manager Ludovic Barucq and Alexandre Danflous. The ‘écaillerie’ or in-house fishmonger is run by Adrien, a trained écailler and Thomas, a fisherman who has learned from his father since childhood.
Découvrez les voisins du Saint-Julien l Hôtel 3 étoiles, Biarritz
Si vous êtes à la recherche d’une bonne adresse conviviale à deux pas du marché des halles de Biarritz : c’est au restaurant Chistera & Coquillages qu’il faudra vous rendre !. Adresse incontournable pour les amateurs de fruits de mer mais pas que, Chistera est composé d’une équipe de plus de 30 employés, répartis en deux brigades dynamiques, qui travaillent avec passion pour offrir une expérience culinaire unique à leurs hôtes. Et le patron, vous aurez l’obligation de le reconnaître !
Top 9 des restaurants de poisson à Biarritz
Résolument accueillant, l’établissement Chistera & Coquillages n’en est pas moins une vraie bonne adresse pour déguster de bonnes spécialités basques. Il y en pour tous les gouts dans ce restaurant, tenu par de jeunes personnes dynamiques et joviales. Pas simple de choisir un plat dans la généreuse carte de ce restaurant… Tout, absolument tout, semble appétissant !
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This restaurant in the middle of town serves up delicious tapas and is another place you can find an insane dish of paella. They are constantly changing the menu to accommodate fresh ingredients, but you can always count on fresh shellfish, grilled octopus and beef tartare.
Biarritz: a right royal time on the Basque coast
There’s excellent dining to be had at the Michelin-starred Les Rosiers (mains from £31), Chistera & Coquillages near the Halles (mains from £15) and Nicolas Breton’s innovative Aiete (mains from £15). Xuxu on Avenue Reine Nathalie is the vegan option (mains from £14.50).
Best Restaurants in Biarritz: Where Do Locals Go?
Chistera: Just by Bar Jean we found this restaurant, specialising in pintxos, fish and meat. We ate at this place, and even though all the food was great, we had a favourite (of course) – the ham croquettes. So, that’s our recommendation.
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Pintxos literally means toothpick food and is the Basque version of tapas. This being the Pays Basque, of course pintxos are as prevalent in Biarritz as they are in San Sebastián. It’s the quintessential Basque cuisine.
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For great seafood and ocean views, head for the delightfully rustic Casa Juan Pedro at the Port Vieux. It has pleasant outdoor seating and a sunny disposition.
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