Basque Eats and Heritage Across Nevada
For more than a century, Nevada’s Basque communities have woven a distinctive thread into the Silver State’s cultural fabric. Emigrating first for gold and then for sheepherding, the Basques have helped shape the state’s culture and personality. From Basque boarding houses and family-style feasts to folklore and festivals, discover a rich heritage that continues to thrive with unwavering passion in northern Nevada.
Highlights
- Feast on family-style fare at authentic Basque boarding houses
- Immerse yourself in Basque tradition at vibrant festivals and events
- Discover Nevada’s rich Basque heritage at museums and historic landmarks
Gardnerville
With the Sierra Nevada as its breathtaking backdrop, Gardnerville makes you ponder why every town can’t be as charming as this one.
- See Basque heritage exhibits and other artifacts at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center.
- Enjoy family-style Basque fare and cocktails served in a storied Victorian building at J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room.
- Stay: Locals and visitors alike head to Carson Valley Inn for good times, friendly faces, and unbeatable live music.
Reno
Known as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno blends vibrant entertainment with outdoor recreation and cultural experiences.
- See sculptor Nestor Basterretxea’s “National Monument of the Basque Sheepherder” at Rancho San Rafael Park.
- Peruse the Jon Bilbao Basque Library—the leading library on Basque subjects outside of the Basque Country—at the University of Nevada, Reno.
- Stop into The Fe for Basque pintxos in the heart of downtown.
- Named a USA TODAY 2024 Restaurant of the Year, don’t miss lunch or dinner at Louis’ Basque Corner.
Winnemucca
Just 160 miles from Reno, Winnemucca welcomes you with big Basque dinners, rich western history, and all kinds of ways to enjoy the great outdoors.
- Opened in 1898 to serve Basque sheepherders working in northern Nevada, The Martin Hotel is an unforgettable Basque bar with family-style dining and the unofficial state cocktail—the Picon Punch.
- Stay: Scott Shady Court is a retro roadside inn with comfy beds, a grassy playground, and a heated pool and sauna, all within walking distance to downtown.
Elko
Set amidst the picturesque Ruby Mountains, Elko sprang to life in 1869 with the development of the Transcontinental Railroad. Buckaroos punched cattle on big ranches while sheepherders drove flocks up to higher elevations—a tough job that ultimately drew hundreds of Basques from Spain and France.
- Fuel up with lunch at Toki Ona or Ogi Deli Bar & Pintxos, local favorites featuring both Basque- and American-style dishes.
- Check out displays of early life in Elko County, featuring Basque and other cultures, at the Northeastern Nevada Museum.
- The neon sign out front beckons visitors, locals, and old sheepherders alike into The Star Hotel for an unforgettable night of garlic-loaded entrees and new friends amid an old-world atmosphere.
- Stay: A crowd favorite, Stockmen’s is at the center of downtown.
Ely
With its scenic railway, walkable mural tours, and close proximity to Great Basin National Park, the remote mountain town of Ely is an ideal HQ for exploring this part of the state.
- Explore life in early 1900s Ely with a walk around Renaissance Village. Each building represents different ethnicities, including Basques, who came to Ely in search of the American Dream.
- Known for their Javier and Julio’s Basque Chorizo Burger, stop in at Racks Bar & Grill.
- Check out the downtown Basque Sheepherder Mural that depicts the role Basque people played in developing the area.
- Stay: Ely’s historic Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall is the star of the show, featuring modern rooms and suites themed after famous guests from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Basque Festivals
Traveling during the summer months? Reno, Winnemucca, and Elko all host annual Basque festivals full of traditional food and drink, folk dancing and live music, and sport competitions like wood chopping and weightlifting.
- Winnemucca Basque Festival: June 8-9, 2024
- Elko’s National Basque Festival: July 6-7, 2024
- Reno Basque Festival: July 20, 2024
Get a Little Out There
Trip Tips
Take a drive. Find your vibe. Feel alive. Let the open road lead you to new experiences in the wide-open heart of Nevada. And don’t be afraid to take the long way around—because sometimes getting there is all the fun.
#TravelNevada
Ready to show your friends how to Basque in northern Nevada culture? Tag #TravelNevada so we can commemorate your first Picon or your first dance! If we love your photo, you may find yourself featured here.
