CASA JULIAN

Casa Julián de Tolosa – The Original Temple of Basque Beef

In the heart of the quiet Basque town of Tolosa, nestled between verdant hills and the Oria river, lies a culinary institution that has defined fire-grilled meat for generations: Casa Julián de Tolosa. Founded in 1951, this modest, wood-panelled restaurant has grown into a global beacon for steak purists, with a reputation that stretches far beyond Spain’s borders.

In 2025, Casa Julián’s enduring legacy has once again been recognised on the world stage, gaining its position as No. 7 on the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list - a remarkable accolade that reflects both its uncompromising philosophy and its timeless approach to beef.

At its core is the legendary Txuletón: thick, bone-in ribeye steaks from mature Galician or local Basque cows, dry-aged and grilled exclusively over oak coals. The meat, deeply marbled and rich in character, is handled with near-spiritual reverence. No sauces, no distractions - just coarse salt, the kiss of flame and decades of instinct honed at the grill.

Today, the Gorrotxategi family continues to helm the restaurant with quiet pride. Xabier Gorrotxategi, son of the late Matías, has not only upheld his father’s purist philosophy, but elevated it - refining ageing processes, meat sourcing and technique, while keeping every detail true to Casa Julián’s humble, fire-forward soul.

The restaurant itself is delightfully unadorned: white-tiled walls, rustic furnishings and the unmistakable warmth of the open grill, always within sight of diners in the main dining room. There’s no music - just the crackle of fire and the rhythm of confident hands turning meat over hot embers. This is where legends are made, not performed.

The supporting cast is equally essential. The piquillo peppers, peeled and roasted by hand and the simple tomato salad offer perfect balance - earthy, sweet and clean. The wine list is compact but purposeful, showcasing structured Spanish reds that stand up to the intensity of the grill.

Dining at Casa Julián de Tolosa is not just a meal - it is a moment in culinary history, still alive and still burning. For those seeking authenticity, tradition and the highest expression of Basque beef, it remains not only one of the best steak restaurants in Spain, but one of the greatest meat restaurants in the world.