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Heritage

Where heritage becomes luxury, and tradition becomes art

The Basque Country, nestled between Spain and France, is renowned for its rich culinary traditions and unwavering commitment to quality. It is here that our story truly begins.

What "Obrador" Truly Means

In Spain, an obrador is far more than a workshop. Historically, it was the sacred space where master artisans shaped their craft with devotion, precision, and pride—where tradition was guarded, excellence demanded, and heritage passed from one generation to the next. It is a word that evokes mastery, discipline, and the timeless pursuit of perfection.

At Obrador, we honor this legacy. Our pastries—most notably the iconic Basque cheesecake and the noble Tarta de Santiago—are created with the same spirit that once defined the great Spanish artisans of the Golden Age. Every detail reflects our commitment to sophistication, authenticity, and an elevated standard crafted for the most exquisite palates.

Obrador

Where heritage becomes luxury, and tradition becomes art.

Welcome to Obrador

Where the Legacy of Spain's Golden Age Meets Contemporary Excellence

Born from the spirit of Madrid and refined in the heart of Washington, D.C., Obrador is an homage to the artistry, ambition, and unmistakable grandeur of the Spanish Empire’s most illustrious era. Our craft is rooted in centuries-old tradition, yet elevated for the discerning tastes of today’s most selective clientele.
At Obrador, we specialize in two iconic jewels of Spanish pastry: the Basque-style cheesecake, with its bold character and molten heart, and the revered Tarta de Santiago, a centuries-old Galician masterpiece symbolizing heritage, devotion, and refinement. Each creation is executed to uncompromising standards-meticulously crafted, elegantly presented, and designed to embody the sophistication that defined Spain’s Golden Age.

Our mission is simple:

To bring the excellence, distinction, and grandeur of Spain’s imperial legacy into the modern world—one exceptional pastry at a time.
Obrador is more than a bakery. It is a tribute to history, an expression of culture, and a destination for those who demand nothing but the extraordinary.

Obrador

The Art of Pastry. The Power of Legacy.

Spain

A Land Shaped by History, Crowned by Gastronomy

A masterpiece of rustic Spanish indulgence. The Traditional Basque Cheesecake arrives with a caramelized, burnished crown that hides a silky, custard-like center. Its flavor is deep and sophisticated-subtly sweet, irresistibly creamy, with a whisper of toasted sugar that lingers like a warm memory of San Sebastián evenings.

This layered history created one of the richest and most diverse gastronomies in the world.

A cuisine where Mediterranean simplicity meets Moorish refinement, where monastic tradition coexists with royal excess, and where the spirit of centuries lives in every ingredient. From the seafood of Galicia to the orchards of Valencia, from Castilian ovens to Andalusian sweets, Spain is a symphony of landscapes turned into flavor.

Sweet gastronomy, especially, reflects this cultural grandeur. Almonds brought by the Moors, sugar refined in ancient obradores, spices carried across oceans, and recipes perfected in royal kitchens all converge into desserts that are both humble in origin and majestic in soul. Today, these traditions continue to inspire a new era of Spanish excellence, admired across continents.
Spain is not just a country; it is an experience vibrant, warm, artistic, and deeply human. A land where history becomes beauty, where culture becomes celebration, and where cuisine becomes a world ambassador of its people.
Obrador embodies this spirit.
A tribute to a nation whose past shaped empires and whose flavors continue to enchant the world.

A Living Tradition

Ancient

Origins

The Basque people have maintained their unique cultural identity for millennia, developing a cuisine that celebrates simplicity and quality above all else.

1990

La Viña

Santiago Rivera creates the iconic Basque burnt cheesecake at La Viña in San Sebastian, revolutionizing the dessert world with its caramelized exterior and creamy interior.

Today

Global Recognition

Basque cuisine holds more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else in the world, a testament to centuries of culinary dedication and innovation.

San Sebastián & Santiago de Compostela

Two cities. Two origins. One tradition: pastry as craft. Below are dedicated sections that trace the birthplace and spirit of Obrador’s iconic creations — the Basque cheesecake and the Tarta de Santiago — illustrated with high-resolution imagery.
Obrador embodies this spirit.

Where Culinary Excellence Becomes Art

San Sebastián is more than a city it is a global shrine of gastronomy. Nestled between the Cantabrian Sea and the green hills of the Basque Country, this small coastal jewel has become one of the world’s elite culinary capitals, home to more Michelin stars per square kilometer than almost anywhere on Earth.

Here, tradition and innovation walk hand in hand. Generations of cooks transformed humble local ingredients into masterpieces, while visionary chefs like Juan Mari Arzak, Pedro Subijana, and the creators of La Viña redefined the boundaries of taste. From legendary pintxos to world-renowned pastries, San Sebastián embodies a rare devotion to craftsmanship, precision, and beauty.

This is the land where the Basque cheesecake was born a dessert that conquered the world with its simplicity, intensity, and soul. It is also the spirit that inspires Obrador: a commitment to authenticity, to excellence, and to the belief that great food is a form of art.

San Sebastián stands as proof that the smallest places can shape global culture and that true culinary greatness begins with passion, heritage, and an unwavering pursuit of perfection.

Basque cheesecake — born of sea air, humble ovens and unrelenting care.
Santiago de Compostela

A Journey of Faith, Culture, and Sweet Tradition

Santiago de Compostela is more than the final destination of the famed Camino – it is a symbol of resilience, devotion, and the shared heritage of countless travelers who, for over a thousand years, have crossed mountains, forests, and ancient villages to reach its majestic cathedral. Every step of the Camino is a story, every pilgrim a witness to a tradition that shaped Europe and still inspires the world.
In this sacred city, where stone and spirit meet, one of Spain’s most iconic desserts was born: the Tarta de Santiago. Its simple ingredients almonds, sugar, and eggs reflect the humility of monastic kitchens, while its unmistakable cross of the Order of Santiago honors the knights who protected the pilgrimage routes. This dessert is not just a recipe; it is a legacy, a flavor that has traveled through centuries alongside the pilgrims themselves.

At Obrador, we celebrate this heritage with reverence.

Our Tarta de Santiago pays homage to those who walked the Camino carrying hope, faith, and the desire to transform. It is a tribute to Galicia’s noble tradition, to its enduring craftsmanship, and to a dessert that embodies the soul of a journey that changed the world.
Santiago de Compostela reminds us that great traditions are not only preserved they are tasted, shared, and kept alive.
Tarta de Santiago — almonds, memory, pilgrimage.

Basque Culture

The Basque people have maintained their unique cultural identity for thousands of years, preserving a language, traditions, and values unlike any other in Europe.
Their cuisine reflects this heritage—simple ingredients transformed into extraordinary experiences through time-honored techniques and a deep respect for tradition.

TRADITIONAL BASQUE CHEESECAKE

A masterpiece of rustic Spanish indulgence. The Traditional Basque Cheesecake arrives with a caramelized, burnished crown that hides a silky, custard-like center. Its flavor is deep and sophisticated-subtly sweet, irresistibly creamy, with a whisper of toasted sugar that lingers like a warm memory of San Sebastián evenings.

Basque Cheesecake Flavors

Pistachio

An opulent fusion of nutty elegance and velvety indulgence. The Pistachio Basque Cheesecake unfolds with the earthy perfume of Mediterranean pistachios, creating a delicate harmony between roasted nuttiness and buttery custard. Each bite is sophisticated, smooth, and luxuriously green-gold.

White Chocolate

Refined sweetness wrapped in silk. The White Chocolate variation boasts an airy richness-soft, velvety, and gently sweet without overwhelming. It melts on the palate like satin, finishing with a whisper of cocoa butter warmth and a cloudlike lightness.

Dark Chocolate

Bold, commanding, and decadently bittersweet. This cheesecake marries the intensity of fine dark chocolate with the molten creaminess of the Basque tradition. The burnished edges deepen the cocoa notes, creating a flavor that is as dramatic as it is elegant."

Dulce de Leche

Caramel luxury at its most alluring. Swirls of golden dulce de leche weave through the custardy interior, adding notes of slow-cooked caramel, rich cream, and warm vanilla. The result is smooth, indulgent, and gently smoky-like velvet infused with sunshine.

Organic Mixed Berries

A vibrant, aristocratic flourish of orchard and forest fruit. This cheesecake is kissed with natural berry brightness-raspberry tartness, blueberry depth, and the sweet perfume of strawberries. Its richness is lifted by gentle acidity, creating a regal balance of freshness and cream.

Organic Banana

Soft, fragrant, and elegantly tropical. The Organic Banana Basque Cheesecake envelopes the senses with the warmth of ripe banana, mingling with caramelized edges to evoke banana-flambé sophistication. Creamy, nostalgic, and refined."

Organic Lemon

A citrus sonata of elegance and zest. Bright, aromatic lemon cuts through the cheesecake's richness with refreshing clarity. Each bite is a harmonious contrast: creamy decadence enlivened by sunny citrus sparkle, finishing clean and refined.

Organic Orange

Radiant and aromatic, this cheesecake carries the perfume of sun-kissed orange groves. The Organic Orange variation blends creamy smoothness with sophisticated floral-citrus notes, offering a refined sweetness and a lingering, slightly zesty finish-both invigorating and luxurious."

The Cheesecake Tradition

The traditional Basque cheesecake, or “tarta de queso vasca,” became famous worldwide thanks to La Viña in San Sebastian. This iconic dessert broke all the rules—no water bath, no crust, and deliberately burnt on top.
The result? A revolutionary cheesecake with a caramelized exterior and impossibly creamy interior that has captured the hearts of dessert lovers around the globe.
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Pillars of Excellence

Architectural Inspiration

From the modernist masterpieces of Bilbao to the charming streets of San Sebastian, Basque architecture embodies bold vision, attention to detail, and respect for tradition while embracing innovation—principles we apply to every cheesecake we create.

Gastronomy Excellence

The Basque Country holds more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else in the world. This dedication to culinary excellence inspires everything we do, from ingredient selection to the final presentation of each cheesecake.

Gastronomy Excellence

The Basque Country holds more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else in the world. This dedication to culinary excellence inspires everything we do, from ingredient selection to the final presentation of each cheesecake.

“In the Basque Country, food is not just sustenance—it is art, tradition, and soul.”
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