Chistera & Coquillages

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.

The place was extremely busy when we went, but service was timely and helpful. We ordered two tapas apiece, and all four were outstanding. Pate, shrimp, ham, but foie gras were all worth ordering again, if only we had had room. Portion sizes were on the larger side for tapas, and, given the quality, prices were very reasonable.

The food was ok, but nothing too special. The cezar salad looked good, so we have ordered it and also a burger and Camembert cheese. The chicken in the salad was the best out of what we ordered: crunchy and tasty. Burger had an unusual sauce with some bell pepper, so it was also a pleasant surprise. We have also ordered a beer that got brought to us after 3 reminders and after the food was served… which was really strange as there is not much to prepare . So, overall experience was ok, but the waiting time and service need some improvement. Also the restaurant is super busy, therefore booking is really recommended.

Nice atmosphere. Servers were nice. The restaurant was recommended by our hotel, especially if ordering fish. I ordered a fish dish with an herb sauce. I got a nice sized serving of fish. The sauce turned out to be chopped onions with a few herbs. It was not what I expected. It had little flavor for me.

We went with 7 friends. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful decorated. The food is delicious. The service is good. The staff are very friendly. Only some of them seem unfriendly. But overall, all the staff are lovely. We can't speak French, but the person who served us she spoke English and provided excellent service. She were friendly and smiling. Every dish was delicious. The desserts were delicious, especially the cheese tart. However, the wait for the food and dessert was very long. The washroom is clean. There are 2 upstairs and downstairs.

Not our first time at Chistera & Coquillages — and as always, we had a great experience! The food is consistently high quality, fresh, and full of flavor. The service is friendly, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want when dining in Biarritz — lively but relaxed. We ordered several dishes and everything was spot on. Compared to London, the prices are definitely cheaper for the quality you get. Always a pleasure to come back here, highly recommend!

Great food, cozy ambience , a big noisy but feel comfortable. Kids menu available. Reservation highly recommended.

Lovely food a cut above the others on this strip. Magret de canard and pave de cabillaud perfectly cooked, two complete dishes. 5 star. Dog friendly as well. Bigger than it looks inside. Prompt and friendly service. Highly recommended, would go again.