CTZN Brings the Basque Country to Solana Beach

CTZN Tapas Bar & Restaurant is serving up something we’ve never really had here before, and their new guest experience feels like discovering a hidden corner of Europe right on Highway 101.

Siblings Willy and Karine took their French heritage, mixed it with inspiration from a Boston tapas bar, and created this love letter to Basque cuisine that’s got us planning our next dinner out.

The Story Behind the Flavors

Here’s what’s cool about CTZN—it’s not just another tapas place trying to do Spanish food. After traveling through the Basque region that straddles Southwest France and Northern Spain, Willy and Karine came back with this deep appreciation for how food brings people together there.

They wanted to capture that spirit of celebration and community that makes Basque culture so special.

The name CTZN (pronounced “citizen”) is all about belonging and cultural connection, while “ba bidaia” means “the journey” in Basque. Basically, every meal here is supposed to feel like an adventure, which honestly sounds way more interesting than your typical dinner out.

Chef Matthew Crawford Knows His Way Around Fire

The kitchen is led by Matthew Crawford, who’s got this incredible background that makes perfect sense for what they’re doing. Fifteen years of culinary experience, time working on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard where he got into foraging and local sourcing, plus a love for open-fire cooking that shows up in everything he makes.

His style is California Modern with New England influences, but now he’s channeling all that into Basque traditions. The guy’s philosophy is that cooking is a universal language and shared meals are opportunities to bring people together and celebrate the stories behind the food.

That’s exactly the kind of chef you want interpreting a cuisine that’s all about community and celebration.

Basque Meets West Coast Creativity

They worked with Chef Juan Gonzalez from Mesa Agrícola to develop a menu that stays true to Basque cooking while adding that modern edge. We’re talking about a cuisine that’s been an international force but hasn’t really had proper representation here in San Diego.

The Basque region has this incredibly welcoming culture and amazing landscapes that translate into bold flavors and rich traditions.

What they’re doing is taking those time-honored Basque rituals and reimagining them with California creativity. Each dish and drink is supposed to tell a story about the region and take you on this immersive sensory voyage through Basque Country.

That’s a pretty ambitious goal, but when you’ve got the passion and the right team, it actually works.

Pintxo Hour is Where It’s At

Tuesday through Friday, they’re doing Pintxo Hour, which is basically the Basque version of happy hour. Pintxos are those small plates that are perfect for sharing and trying a bunch of different flavors without committing to one big dish.

It’s the ideal way to experience what they’re doing, especially if you’re new to Basque cuisine.

See you there!

CTZN Tapas Bar & Restaurant proves that the best new guest experience sometimes comes from bringing distant traditions to familiar places.

📆 Tuesday–Saturday, 3 PM–10 PM (Pintxo Hour: Tuesday–Friday, 3 PM-5 PM)
📍 343 South Highway 101 Suite 110, Solana Beach
🎟️ Reservations can be made here
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!