Echaurren Tradición

The story

Echaurren Tradición: Michelin-Recognised Traditional Riojan Cuisine in Ezcaray

A Family Legacy on the Plate

Echaurren Tradición, housed within the same century-old building as the Hotel Echaurren Relais & Châteaux, is the keeper of a deeply personal culinary heritage. The restaurant’s menu pays homage to Marisa Sánchez, a figure who earned the National Gastronomy Award for Best Chef in 1987 and the Medal for Merit at Work. Her cooking – rooted in the flavours of La Rioja – is the foundation of this dining room. “She has gathered and has known how to transmit to the menu of this restaurant a handful of unforgettable recipes,” the family says. Her croquettes became her signature, a dish that still defines the experience here.

Tradition in the Hands of Francis Paniego

Chef Francis Paniego, Marisa’s youngest son, now carries the torch. He has absorbed his mother’s wisdom and techniques, continuing to serve the same soulful, precise cuisine that made Echaurren a household name in Rioja. The restaurant’s style is contemporary haute cuisine, yet its heart beats to the rhythm of tradition: slow-cooked stews, seasonal vegetables, and the bold, honest flavours of the region. The setting is warm and unpretentious, with a dining room that feels both refined and welcoming.

Michelin Recognition and the Experience

Echaurren Tradición holds a Michelin Recommended distinction, a mark of its consistent quality and the depth of its culinary identity. The menu changes with the seasons, always reflecting the best of the local larder. Guests can choose a tasting menu or order à la carte, with options that range from the famous croquettes to more elaborate creations. The wine list, curated with care, draws heavily from Rioja’s finest producers, making every meal a celebration of the region’s gastronomic culture.

For those who want to immerse themselves fully, the restaurant offers a gastronomic experience that can be paired with a stay at the hotel. But even a single meal here is enough to understand why Echaurren Tradición is considered a pillar of Riojan cooking – a place where the past is not just preserved, but lived and shared at the table.