Taste the Flavours of the Basque Country
The rich and fascinating food culture of the Basque Country, located in northern
Spain, is world-renowned—especially for its pintxos. These small bites, traditionally
skewered with a toothpick, are sometimes confused with tapas, but in fact, they are
culturally and practically a distinct culinary tradition.
For those who have not yet experienced pintxos and other Basque delicacies, NH Collection Helsinki Grand
Hansa’s Hansa Café offers the perfect opportunity during the Basque Culinary Weeks, organised in collaboration with the Spanish and Bilbao tourism boards.
Basque Dinner Experience with Michelin-Star Chef Aitor Fernández 27.–29 August
The Basque culinary celebration culminates as renowned Basque chef Aitor Fernández brings the vibrant flavours of Bilbao to NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa for exclusive dinner experiences.
Fernández has won multiple national culinary awards and worked in some of Spain’s most celebrated kitchens, including El Celler de Can Roca, Enoteca, and the now three-Michelin-starred Cenador de Amós.
He currently leads La Palma
in Bilbao, which was named Best Hospitality Concept of 2024 and won accolades for Best Cod Pintxo and Best Idiazabal Cheese Pintxo.
The exclusive Basque Dinners designed by Aitor Fernández will be served at Hansa Café Brasserie on Wednesday 27, Thursday 28, and Friday 29 August, and also Saturday 30 from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Menu €65.90 / with drink pairing €99.90
Reserve your table for this unique dining experience.
Basque Country Flavours – Pinxto Menu by Head Chef Matti Romppanen
The word pintxo (in Basque “pintxo,” in Spanish “pincho”) literally means “spiked.” True to its name, pintxos are small bites held together with a toothpick, often served atop bread or creatively assembled. As is typical in the Basque Country, fresh, high-quality local ingredients are always the stars of each pintxo. The menu will be available throughout August, in Hansa Café Bar & Brasserie.
Spanish food culture holds a special place in Romppanen’s heart—he has travelled extensively in Spain and ran his own restaurant in Barcelona for four years.
“In Spanish culture, food and eating out are an essential part of daily life. In the morning, people stop by a café for a cup of coffee on their way to work, and in the afternoon, they pause again for a tapa or a pintxo on their way home. Cafés, restaurants, and bars are where friends meet and families spend time together,” says Romppanen.
The menu features 5–6 small dishes to be enjoyed with Spanish wine, either as an appetiser or a light, sociable tasting experience.
