Kaiku

Housed in one of the oldest stone houses in cute St. Jean de Luz, Kaiku has shockingly contemporary interiors, including large cut-out windows behind the bar that give a view of the kitchen. The wood-beamed ceiling and stone arches contrast brilliantly with the sleek tableware and the original art on the walls.

It's a lovely spot for lunch when the staff opens the windows and diners also sit on tables outside. At dinner, the lighting is moody and the ambience romantic. The chef hails from nearby Bayonne, so the cuisine has a Basque and seafood slant but like the interiors, offers a modern, new spin to it.