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144.
International · Vitoria-Gasteiz
Restaurant in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Book with PearlThe Read
Global-Fusion Counter Arithmetic
Price
€€
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
At €€ per head, 144. is Vitoria-Gasteiz's most creative tasting menu option, with 17 or 21 courses built around a 12-cocktail pairing program and global fusion cooking. Michelin Plate recognition (2025) and back the kitchen's consistency. Booking is Easy, making this the best-value special occasion dinner in the city at this price range.
About 144.
Verdict: At €€ per head, 144. is the most adventurous tasting menu option in Vitoria-Gasteiz
For a mid-range price point, 144. delivers a level of creative ambition you would normally associate with restaurants charging considerably more. Two tasting menu formats; 17 courses or 21 courses; built around fusion cooking and a signature cocktail pairing program make this the clearest choice in the city for a special occasion dinner where you want something genuinely different. The Michelin Plate recognition (2025) confirms the kitchen is operating at a credible technical level. If you are in Vitoria-Gasteiz for one serious meal, this is where the value-to-ambition ratio is hardest to argue.
Portrait
The name itself is a declaration of intent. 144 is the product of 12 signature dishes multiplied by 12 paired cocktails, that arithmetic is the clearest signal of what 144. is trying to do: treat the drinks program as a structural equal to the food, not an afterthought. In a city where the restaurant scene leans heavily toward traditional Basque cooking and modern Spanish refinement, that positioning is a genuine point of difference.
The menus run to 17 or 21 courses depending on how much time and appetite you are bringing to the table. The cooking is fusion-led with global references: pig's ear and pig's trotter stew paired with grilled crayfish, deboned pork rib with Korean BBQ sauce alongside grilled lettuce and coriander. These are the kinds of combinations that require a kitchen with real confidence, the margin for error on a dish that asks you to connect Basque produce with Korean fermentation is narrow.
On the drinks side, the cocktail pairing program is the element that most directly shapes the experience here. At 144. the pairing is not wine, that is a considered choice worth thinking through before you book. If your preference is for a classical wine-driven pairing alongside a tasting menu, the format here will feel different from what you might expect. The cocktail pairings are designed as the primary lens through which the flavors of each course are interpreted. For diners who are open to that approach, it offers something you will not find at Andere, Karmine, or Zaldiarán. For diners who prioritize a serious wine list, those three restaurants are a more natural fit.
The editorial angle on the drinks program deserves a direct assessment: the 12-cocktail pairing sequence at 144. functions as the venue's most distinctive credential. Where wine pairings at comparable price points tend toward familiar regional selections, a cocktail-forward pairing allows the kitchen more creative latitude in flavor matching. The global influences in the food, Korean, broadly Asian, traditional Basque, are not naturally suited to a single wine region, the cocktail program sidesteps that constraint. Whether you find that liberating or disorienting will depend on your expectations walking in.
Practically, 144. sits at San Antonio Kalea, 33, in Vitoria-Gasteiz's city center, which puts it in a walkable position relative to the old town and most central accommodation. Booking is rated Easy, which is meaningful at this format, a 17-or 21-course tasting menu in a Michelin-recognized restaurant that does not require weeks of advance planning is not common at this tier. That said, for a weekend dinner on a special occasion, booking several days ahead is sensible rather than leaving it to chance.
For context within Spain's broader tasting menu scene, 144. sits in an interesting position. The country's flagship tasting experiences, Arzak in San Sebastián, Azurmendi in Larrabetzu, El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Martin Berasategui in Lasarte-Oria, or DiverXO in Madrid, operate at a different price tier and carry multi-star recognition. 144. is not competing at that level. That is a different kind of value, worth weighing directly. For international comparison at a similar creative-fusion register, Loumi in Berlin and Haubentaucher in Rottach-Egern occupy adjacent territory in European terms.
The special occasion framing is well-supported here. A 21-course menu with 12 cocktail pairings, Michelin recognition, a kitchen clearly operating with a point of view gives a celebration dinner the structural weight it needs. This is not the place for a quick meal or a business lunch where conversation needs to come first, the format demands engagement with the food and drinks sequence. If that matches what you are planning, 144. is the most distinctive option available in Vitoria-Gasteiz at this price.
Browse our full Vitoria-Gasteiz restaurants guide, or explore the city further through our guides to hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Ratings & Recognition
- Michelin Plate (2025)
- Price range: €€
Booking
Booking difficulty is rated Easy. The tasting menu format and Michelin recognition do not appear to create the weeks-long wait times found at harder-to-book comparables. For a weekend special occasion, book a few days ahead. Walk-in availability is not confirmed from available data, so a reservation is the safer approach.
Practical Details
144. is located at San Antonio Kalea, 33, 01005 Vitoria-Gasteiz, centrally positioned within the city. The price range is €€, which for a 17- or 21-course tasting menu with cocktail pairings represents strong value relative to the format. Current hours are not confirmed in available data; check directly before your visit, particularly if planning around current seasonal service patterns. No dress code information is available, though the tasting menu format and occasion-dining positioning suggest smart-casual at minimum.
How It Compares
FAQ: How far ahead should I book 144.?
Booking is rated Easy, so you are unlikely to need more than a few days' notice for a midweek dinner. For a weekend booking, especially for a special occasion, reserving 3 to 5 days ahead is the practical approach. This is a notably more accessible booking than the multi-week waits at higher-end comparables in the Basque Country.
FAQ: Can I eat at the bar at 144.?
No confirmed bar-seating information is available in the current data. Given the tasting menu format of 17 or 21 courses, the experience is structured around a full-length seated service rather than a drop-in bar format. Contact the restaurant directly if a counter or bar option matters to your visit.
FAQ: Is 144. good for a special occasion?
Yes, this is one of the stronger special occasion options in Vitoria-Gasteiz at the €€ price range. For a higher-spend occasion where a more classical setting matters, Andere or Zaldiarán at €€€ are the alternatives to weigh.
FAQ: What should a first-timer know about 144.?
The cocktail pairing is the core format, not a supplement to a wine list, if you are expecting a traditional wine pairing, adjust expectations before arriving. The shorter menu runs 17 courses; the longer is 21. Both are full-commitment tasting experiences, not à la carte options. The global fusion angle means the cooking spans Korean, Basque, other international references in a single menu, which is unusual for the city. At €€ pricing with a Michelin Plate, the value for format is strong, but this is a two-to-three-hour dinner, not a quick meal.
FAQ: What are alternatives to 144. in Vitoria-Gasteiz?
For traditional Basque cooking at a higher spend, Andere (€€€) is the most direct contrast in terms of register. For modern Spanish with more formal service, Karmine (€€€) and Zaldiarán (€€€) are both credible alternatives. For a Basque-focused meal at the same €€ price tier, Kea Basque Fine Food is the closest comparable. 144. is the only one of this group with a cocktail-forward pairing program and a fusion menu, so if that creative register is what you are after, there is no direct substitute in the city.
FAQ: Is the tasting menu worth it at 144.?
At €€ pricing, a 17-or 21-course menu with a full cocktail pairing sequence is strong value for format. The 21-course option is worth choosing over the 17 if you are making the trip specifically for the full experience. For context, the longer tasting menus at Arzak or Azurmendi operate at a significantly higher price tier, 144. is not at that level, but it is delivering a serious creative format at a price that removes the usual financial pressure of committing to 20-plus courses.
FAQ: Is 144. worth the price?
Yes, for what the format delivers. The cocktail pairing structure and fusion cooking give the experience a personality that justifies the commitment. If you want a traditional Basque meal or a more conservative dining format, the €€€ options in the city, Andere, Karmine, Zaldiarán, will suit you better and cost more. For creative ambition at the €€ tier, 144. is the right call.
Planning details
- Location
- San Antonio Kalea, 33, 01005 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain
- Website
- cientocuarentaycuatro.com
- Phone
- +34 945 33 64 59
The take
The Take
The Vibe
144. presents a deliberately restrained, minimalist interior that foregrounds the food and drinks. The room is described as modern and spare, reducing visual distraction so the kitchen’s conceptual framework — notably the pairing of 12 dishes with 12 signature cocktails — takes center stage. Against Vitoria-Gasteiz’s tradition-steeped dining scene, the restaurant reads as an intentional departure: focused, quietly confident and exacting rather than ornate. The result is an intimate, low-key setting where the architecture and service defer to the creativity and precision of the plates and glasses arriving at the table.
Best For
This is a venue for diners who come seeking compositional cooking and thoughtful beverage pairing, especially in the evening. The piece highlights 144.’s conceptual clarity and its Michelin Plate recognition, signaling consistent quality that suits date nights and special-occasion dinners. It also appeals to visitors curious about contemporary fusion approaches in a city usually defined by traditional Basque and polished contemporary houses. Reservations for dinner are the sensible expectation here, given the restaurant’s focus on a curated sequence of dishes and cocktails.
Ordering Tips
Look to the restaurant’s central conceit when ordering: the menu pairs a set of dishes against an equal number of signature cocktails, so consider sampling those pairings to experience the kitchen’s intended combinations. The menu context and signature plates — including the Costilla de cerdo con BBQ Koreana and the Guiso de manitas y oreja con cigala — suggest ordering those standout items if you want a clear sense of the kitchen’s fusion approach. Keep in mind the room’s restrained intent: dishes and drinks are designed to be the focus, so allow the courses to speak for themselves.
Planning details
Location
San Antonio Kalea, 33, 01005 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain · Directions
Recognition and awards
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Also consider
Also Consider
- Andere; Traditional Cuisine, €€€
- Karmine; Modern Cuisine, €€€
- Kea Basque Fine Food; Basque, €€
- Zaldiarán; Contemporary, €€€
Restaurant context
How It Compares
144. sits at €€ while its most direct competitors in Vitoria-Gasteiz; Andere, Karmine, and Zaldiarán; all price at €€€. That price gap is the first thing to weigh. If budget is a factor in your decision, 144. gives you a Michelin-recognized tasting menu experience without the higher outlay those three require. If you want the city's most polished traditional Basque cooking and are prepared to spend more, Andere is the cleaner choice. For modern Spanish in a more formal register, Karmine and Zaldiarán both serve that audience better than 144. does.
The format difference is as important as the price difference. 144. runs 17-to-21-course menus with a cocktail pairing structure; the others operate with wine-led programs in a more conventional tasting menu format. If you want a serious wine list to match your food, 144. is the wrong venue. If you are open to a cocktail pairing as the primary drinks experience, it is the only place in the city offering that format. Kea Basque Fine Food matches 144. on price at €€ and focuses on Basque cooking rather than fusion; a more conservative choice for diners who want regional anchoring over global range.
For booking, 144. is rated Easy, which compares favorably to higher-profile venues in the Basque Country. If spontaneity matters or you are planning a few days ahead rather than weeks out, 144. is the most accessible option in the city at this experience level. Diners who prioritize creative ambition and value over formal tradition should book here. Diners who want a classical Basque or modern Spanish experience with wine at the center should go to Andere, Karmine, or Zaldiarán and budget accordingly.
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Compare 144.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 144. | International | 2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate | Easy |
| Andere | Traditional Cuisine | 2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | Unknown |
| Karmine | Modern Cuisine | Guía Repsol Soles 20262026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | Unknown |
| Kea Basque Fine Food | Basque | Guía Repsol Soles 20262026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | Unknown |
| Zaldiarán | Contemporary | Guía Repsol Soles 20262026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | Unknown |
Comparing your options in Vitoria-Gasteiz for this tier.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book 144.?
Booking difficulty is rated Easy, so you are unlikely to need more than a few days' notice even for weekend slots. The Michelin Plate recognition and tasting menu format have not created the weeks-long wait times common at comparable restaurants in larger Spanish cities. That said, booking ahead a week is sensible to secure your preferred menu length; 17 or 21 courses.
Is 144. good for a special occasion?
Yes, the format suits it well. A 21-course fusion menu with 12 paired cocktails is a strong anchor for a birthday or anniversary dinner, the €€ price range means you get that experience without the financial weight of a Michelin-starred room. The playful, globe-spanning cooking style works better for guests who enjoy discovery over formality; if your group wants a classic, conservative fine-dining setting, look elsewhere.
What should a first-timer know about 144.?
The name encodes the concept: 12 dishes multiplied by 12 signature cocktails equals 144. That pairing philosophy is central to the experience, so arriving intending to skip the drinks pairing means missing a core part of what the restaurant is doing. The kitchen runs fusion cooking with global references; Korean BBQ, crayfish, pig's ear; so come with an open palate rather than a preference for traditional Basque cooking.
What are alternatives to 144. in Vitoria-Gasteiz?
Zaldiarán is the city's reference point for traditional fine dining and suits guests who want a more classical Basque experience. Karmine offers a more conventional restaurant format if a full tasting menu feels like too much commitment. Kea Basque Fine Food and Andere are worth considering if you want to stay in the creative end of the market but prefer a shorter format or different price point.
Is the tasting menu worth it at 144.?
At €€, the 17- or 21-course tasting menu represents strong value for the level of creative ambition on the plate. The Michelin Plate (2025) confirms the cooking meets a recognised quality threshold without carrying the price premium of a starred room. If you are comfortable with fusion cooking and cocktail pairings as a dining format, the answer is yes. If you would rather order à la carte, 144. is not the right fit; the menu structure is fixed.
Is 144. worth the price?
Yes, for the format. A €€ price point for 17 to 21 courses of evolving fusion cooking with cocktail pairings is a strong proposition in any mid-sized Spanish city, in Vitoria-Gasteiz it is the most creatively ambitious option at this price. Compared to Zaldiarán, which targets a more traditional fine-dining spend, 144. delivers more courses and a more experimental kitchen for less money.
