Schmap Bilbao Dining & Drinking

Bilbao - Dining & Drinking
Download the Schmap Bilbao Guide
With Schmap 2.0 you can:

Browse this Schmap Guide on your PC, online or offline.
View Schmap Guides for 200 worldwide destinations.
Bookmark places of interest, plan trips and take virtual tours.
Custom print your own full-color travel guides.
Publish and share schmapplets with your favorite places
Enjoy many more unique Schmap features.

Bilbao Home
Schmap Bilbao guide and map

At this stage nobody could doubt the cosmopolitan character that Bilbao has been gaining over the last few years. This globalization reaches out to all areas of Bilbao society, from culture and communications to leisure activities and gastronomy. And focusing on the latter two, free time and food, let us make it clear that the capital of Biscay is open to all new currents and trends, being a city that has always faced towards Europe. This is not to say that Bilbao has abandoned its own way of doing things; on the contrary, it's a city that has always known how to blend the most modern of outside influences with the deeply-rooted local customs.

Basque Cuisine

If we can say that the Basque Lands in general are known for their culinary traditions, then it must be pointed out that the region of Biscay, and therefore its capital Bilbao, are the absolute masters in the art of Basque cuisine. Thanks to the city's proximity to the sea, fish are the ubiquitous stars of the local restaurants. Specifically codfish, called "bacalao," is the most typical dish in restaurants which offer traditional Basque cuisine (which is the majority). Made in Biscayan style or "pil-pil," this fish will win the heart of anyone who tries it. Fresh vegetables are held in high esteem as well. For the best in traditional Basque cuisine based on good seafood and excellent meat, try restaurants such as Amboto, Zortziko, or Urrejola. Or for some excellent home-made pastries as well, try Víctor, located on the legendary Plaza Nueva. And of course, Basque cuisine isn't always enjoyed sitting down. In fact, the majority of eating establishments are probably devoted to that ancient Basque pastime, the "tapeo," which means going from place to place trying special tapas along with their best house wine. The "poteo" is another version, where one does the route of bars drinking "potes," wine served in little glasses. The area of "poteo" par excellence is the Casco Viejo and its Seven Streets, although you could just as easily try the area Pozas, which is made up of the street Licenciado Pozas and the surrounding neighborhood. Some places to try on your evening of poteo are Urrejola, Farketa, Lekeitio, and the legendary Iruña, a bar dating from 1903 decorated in a curious Mudéjar Arab style.

International Cuisine

Another important part of the Basque culinary scene has been the increasing number of restaurants that offer international cuisine, thanks to the aforementioned growing cosmopolitan nature of the city. So there are establishments whose decoration and ambiance show a marked English influence, such as Atlanta, or restaurants specializing in German food, such as Ein Prosit Bilbao. And then there are the Asian restaurants which are becoming more and more popular with the locals, as well as restaurants with cuisines from other parts of the world which have brought some exotic ambience to Bilbao, such as the Peruvian restaurant Ají Colorado or the Mexican Charro Loco, where you will be delighted with authentic Mexican music as well. And we mustn't forget places such as the spectacular Moana Beach, which offers magnificent shows that are sure to leave the guests dazzled.

Ocean Views

The restaurants outside of Bilbao, aside from rivaling the quality of the cuisine found in the capital, have the extra advantage of offering their patrons some exquisite views of the sea or of the interior of the province. We could name some of the coastal restaurants like Cubita, Jolastoki or Gaminiz, while inland we find places such as Andra Mari, Aretxondo or Baserri Maitea. There can be no doubt that Bilbao and nearby towns have a culinary tradition that will satisfy even the most demanding of gourmets.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Our apologies: your internet browser is not yet fully supported by our Schmap online guides. If you continue, pages in this guide may display or function incorrectly.

Would you like to continue anyway?Continue Anyway

Schmap.com supports the following browsers:

Internet Explorer 6 and above
Firefox 1.5 and above
Safari 3 for Pc

MAC

Safari version 1.3 and above
Firefox 2 and above

Ají Colorado

The essence of Peru

Barrencalle, 5
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005
+34 94 415 2209

Here you'll find a little bit of Peru in Bilbao's Old Quarter. This restaurant has been open for eleven years and each day offers one of the best things about Peruvian culture: its cuisine. It does this with Creole products and spices imported from the other side of the Atlantic. It is a small premises, but the atmosphere and decoration are perfectly evocative of Peru. It is advisable to reserve a table, especially on weekends. The restaurant has a mainly young clientele, curious, perhaps, and eager to learn something of another culture, and prices are therefore reasonable. It is difficult to recommend anything specific, but here are a few suggestions: mixed cebiche (marinated fish and seafood), stuffed potatoes, chili-peppered chicken or Lima potato salad. If you haven't been surprised by the first two courses, wait for dessert. Recommended puddings are: "Mazamorra morada", which is a type of maize consommé and fruit compote, or "suspiros de limeña", which is something like custard but sweeter. All desserts are made with condensed milk. The Ají Colorado restaurant prepares food to take away.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Amboto

Classic Basque cuisine in Casco Viejo Jardines, 2
Bilbao 48005
+34 94 415 6148 Apart from the classic Basque cuisine, this restaurant has two other attractions. The first is that it has been in business now for half a century. The second is that it is situated in the middle of the Old Quarter. The premises is located on a first floor and you can get to it through the bar or the separate doorway. This restaurant is characterised by its generous portions and affordability as well as its high quality. The place has had a faithful clientele for many years. For just 4,000 pesetas you can eat very well indeed. Some recommended dishes are: special hors d'oeuvres of the house, Hake Fillets with Crab Sauce and Steak Fillet with Paté. To drink, try the 87 Barón de Oña or 81 Glorioso.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Amboto photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Andra Mari

Elegant Basque cuisine Elexalde, 22
Galdakao, Vizcaya 48960
+34 94 456 0005 The Andra Mari restaurant is undoubtedly a monument of Basque gastronomy. Not only because traditional Basque cuisine is prepared on its stoves, but because the building itself pays tribute to Basque tradition. It's in a charming "caserío" (traditional country house) located next to a hermitage of the same name. Its exterior is worthy of admiration. Speaking of its whereabouts, we should mention that it is situated in Galdako, one of the most densely populated of the suburban municipalities and only 9 kilometres from Bilbao. Those without access to a car can get there by bus, which leaves from calle Bailén, next to the RENFE train station. One of the many wonderful things about this restaurant is its cellar: a real museum dug out of stone and well worth seeing. Among the many recommended dishes are: risotto of various wild mushrooms, cod cooked with beans and clams, squab with glazed fruits and macaroni stuffed with anchovy mousse. A good bottle of wine from the well stocked cellar is the 95 Conde de Valdemar (1,300 pesetas).

Review © 2007, Wcities

Aretxondo

Wonderful views and cuisine Barrio Elexalde, 20
Galdakao, Vizcaya 48960
+34 94 456 7671 The Aretxondo restaurant is owned by the same people who run the nearby Andra Mari. It offers the best Basque, or more specifically, Vizcayan cuisine. It is situated on the mountain's slope and has spectacular views: in short an idyllic place. Just like its twin, the Andra Mari, the Aretxondo has an excellent cellar which is also dug out of stone and is also located in Galdako, some 9km from Bilbao. Here are a few suggestions: fillet steak in a herb crust or the grilled sole with anchovies. For the first fortnight of August this establishment is generally closed for holidays.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Atlanta

Luxury restaurant decorated in English style Gran Vía, 63
Bilbao 48011
+34 94 441 5332 The dining room's English style decor of wood and beige tones makes for a cosy atmosphere in which to sample the specialities of the house. The restaurant is also conveniently located near one of the best hotels in town. The pictures on the walls, the lamps hanging from the ceiling, the wall lamps and the ceiling mouldings give the dining room, which has a separate entrance from the bar, a rather stately air. The Atlanta's stoves are well acquainted with the "nouvelle" Basque cuisine but traditional Basque cooking is not forgotten. The house recommendations are skewered fillet steak with cheese and lamb barbecued cutlets with mushrooms and baked potatoes. We should not, however, forget the seafood and fresh fish. In fact, the specialties differ depending on the season, and in warm weather the specialties include the crab and lobster salads, or the garden salad and crunchy stuffed peppers. In Atlanta's cellar, the 94 Solar del Estraunza (1,350 pesetas), Tondonia six years old and 89 Campillo Reserva stand out.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Baserri Maitea

Elegant restaurant in country house Barrio Atxondoa, s/n
Guernica, Vizcaya 48300
+34 94 625 3408 This restaurant is situated 36km from Bilbao in the famous town of Gernika. In a more than idyllic spot there is an old country dwelling that houses one of the best restaurants in the province. This place is well worth a visit, not just because of its history and the surrounding countryside, but also because of its cooking. Traditional cooking is the order of the day here. The interior of the 18th century house and the outside countryside is impressive, offering the best example of Basque nature. If the interior decor and landscape are delights, the culinary creations are no less so: sea-bass with eggs "al pil-pil" (slowly simmered), red mullet fillets on rice, oxtail, cod neck baked in a firewood oven, and for dessert, a delicious home-made chocolate soufflé. The restaurant closes on Sunday and Thursday evenings from November until April. If you do not have access to a car, you can get to Gernika to visit this splendid restaurant by taking a bus from the number 4 stop. It leaves every fifteen minutes from 7.15a to 8p.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Café Bar Iruña

Busy bar in the nightlife zone Jardines de Albia, 5
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48001
+34 (0)944 23 7021 It opened in 1903 and the same curious Moorish-style interior decor of coloured ceramic tiles and shields with coats-of-arms remain on the walls. A popular meeting point for bankers, executives and young working people, it's always busy and bursting with life from early morning until late at night. You can come for breakfast, lunch or drinks in the evening when the music is turned up. The bar sets up outdoor facilities during special festive events like Carnavales and Semana Grande-Aste Nagusia so that you can eat and drink and enjoy the music where the action is, on the street.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: esselnyc
Photo: Jacques Manzano
Photo: Julio Arrieta

Charro Loco, El

Pure Mexican Alameda Recalde, 11
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48009
+34 94 424 9089
http://www.elcharroloco.com
info@elcharroloco.com The essence of Mexico is concentrated in El Charro Loco. The whole atmosphere is Mexican here, from the decor, which of course includes the furniture, to the staff's attire and the glassware - all of it pure Mexico. All the best of Mexican culture is here: the cooking and the music that adds atmosphere and colour to what is the experience of eating a meal in El Charro Loco. Here you can sample the best chilaquiles, tasty strips of Guajolote, real kidney beans, fried or Mexican style, a selection of folded tortillas; and you cannot leave without sampling the burritos and enchiladas.

Sorbet with lemon and - what else? - tequila is our recommendation for dessert. To accompany all these exotic dishes, what better than a refreshing piña colada or margarita?

Review © 2007, Wcities

Cubita

Elegance next to a windmill Carretera de la Galea, 30
Getxo 48990
+34 94 491 1700 Situated in one of the most privileged areas on Bilbao's outskirts, Cubita is located in Punta Galea, semi-detached to the Aixerrota windmill that dates from the beginning of the 18th century. At this restaurant you can enjoy good classic cooking and fabulous views at the same time: the mouth of the Nervión river (or the Bilbao estuary, depending on how you look at it). To get to the restaurant, which is situated 15km from Bilbao in Getxo, you can take a short and pleasant trip along Punta Galea from the Bidezabal station, until you come to the Aixerrota windmill. The restaurant's decor is traditional and very elegant. The large windows afford a good view of the landscape. The wealthiest and most influential classes in Getxo frequent this establishment. Cubita's speciality is quality fish and the recommended dishes are: fish soup, a variety of starters and seafood, baked sea-bass and hake "á la Bilbaina". The house wine is the Remelluri, Reserva at 2,000 pesetas. The restaurant is closed for holidays in August.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Ein Prosit Bilbao

Authentic German food and beer Plaza del Ensanche, 7
Bilbao 48009
+34 94 424 1311 The name translates as something like 'a toast to Bilbao'. In this restaurant the best of two cultures come together: the Germanic and the Bilbaoan. It goes without saying that this recently opened establishment offers typically German dishes and, of course, the best German beer. The Prosit Bilbao is different and original, so much so that on entering you are immediately transported to Germany. The beers are the stars here, especially the draught wheat beer, and the sausages are authentically German. To whet your palate, here are a few suggestions: roast pork leg joint with mashed potatoes and German cabbage, meat and cheese pie with a selection of vegetables, and a delicious creamy dessert of caramalised walnuts. On weekends, mushrooms with cheese and deep fried squid in 'best beer style' are available. The door is open for all who want a pure German experience.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Farketa

Traditional restaurant and barbecue Rodríguez Arias, 56
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48011
+34 94 441 9761
http://www.farketa.com/ This place is a combination of restaurant and grill. The grill is open fo all to see the dishes they are about to enjoy. Fresh fish is the star menu item, although in this elegant establishment everything is top quality. Not only are the dining menu items delicious, but the "pinchos" (canapés) served at the bar are also very popular. Apart from the grilled fish, the chopped ribs served as an appetiser are also highly recommended. But if you fancy something else, you can always order hake "Farketa", juicy primer rib, or a charcoaled angler fish. There is something for all tastes, and the price-quality ratio is excellent.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Gaminiz

Surprising creations Areatza, 38
Plentzia 48620
+34 94 443 4937 Gaminiz restaurant is located in charming Plentzia, one of the most visited coastal villages during the summer season. In fact, lots of Bilbaoans have an apartment there where they spend the summer. Plentzia is 27 km from Bilbao but you can get there easily by metro. When it comes to delicacies Gaminiz is there, surprising customers with the originality of its creations. Cod is the featured menu item in this restaurant, but don't forget to trt other dishes, like the Spring Chicken Paté or the Squab with a Peach Puree. You can enjoy your meal in a pleasant atmosphere, on a splendid terrace. To accompany these culinary delights, we suggest a 92 Barón de Oña, Reserva, at 2,100 pesetas.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Jolastoki

One of Vizcaya's most famous Avenida de Leioa, 24
Getxo, Vizcaya 48990
+1 34 94 491 2031 This is a luxurious place that offers sophisticated cooking in a chalet-style restaurant surrounded by pretty gardens 15km from Bilbao. You can choose from an informal glass-covered terrace dining room that's ideal for lunch on spring afternoons or a more formal dining room inside for winter evenings. It serves a range of traditional Basque dishes complemented by the chef's own imaginative creations that include sirloin of lamb with sweet onions and peach sauce, baked sea-bass with mushrooms and saffron oil, and sponge cake filled with chocolate for dessert. As for the wines, you'll find stars like a 1992 vintage Marqués de Vargas for 3200 ptas (EUR 19.23) and a superb Val de Reyes for just 1400 ptas (EUR 8.41).

Review © 2007, Wcities

Lekeitio

Excellent restaurant, famous for "pinchos" Diputación, 1
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48009
+34 94 423 9240 This is an excellent traditional restaurant. A simple bar welcomes the customer who can whet his appetite here sampling the succulent "pinchos" (canapés). In the rustic dining room, customers can enjoy Lekeitio's specialities, which are: baked red bream, grilled ribs, hake "a la romana", and "pinchos" such as "the best peasant omelette in the city".All of the ingredients, such as the meat and fish, are of a high quality. The restaurant has even won prizes in the Bilbao "pinchos" competition. The menu is á la carte, with no daily specials. During the summer months it is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Moana Beach

Hawaiian atmosphere Simón Bolívar, 28
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48013
+34 94 422 2066 There is cooking from all around the world in Bilbao and even the sounds of the most envied islands in the world reach here. The restaurant has all the exoticism of Hawaii and a disco too. No effort is spared so that visitors to Moana Beah can experience all the warmth of Hawaii without leaving Bilbao. During the week a menu of the day is available and on Fridays and Saturdays you can enjoy a spectacular dinner that is practically unmissable. Throughout the dinner there are "minishows" that entertain customers while they enjoy the quality menu that changes weekly. Originality is the common denominator here. Steak fillets with surprising sauces, fish of all sorts, shark fin and lizard are some of the unusual dishes. At midnight the main show begins, with dances and Polynesian rituals giving an exotic touch to dessert.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Old Town

Commercial variety Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005
This district is an atmospheric area of narrow winding streets, little squares and individual neighbourhoods full of activity every day of the year. This is the heart of the town that dates back to 1300 and its historical and cultural importance was recognized in statute in 1972. After the disastrous floods in 1983 much of the district was rebuilt and improved. It's worth visiting Plaza Nueva, Plaza Miguel de Unamuno and Santiago Cathedral in particular.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Gary Pritchard
Photo: Beltza Scene Vol.3
Photo: Jesús Gorriti
Photo: | *anabel |
Photo: Alberto Alvarez-Pere
Photo: StaneStane
Photo: Max Naylor

Plaza Nueva

Terraces, bars, shops and markets Cerea Arenal puente
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005
Behind its arches you'll find the city's most popular meeting places: bars and cafeterias that have a lively atmosphere at all times of day. It's best in summer when you can sit outside on the terraces, or on Sunday mornings when the travelling market comes to town. Come on December 21 for the most colourful traditional market of all - Mercado Rural de Santo Tomás. It's a splendid example of neoclassical-style architecture built during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Carmen Martín
Photo: P.L. Gomez Barrondo
Photo: peter duchek
Photo: lindatxikiakalea
Photo: PP

Víctor

One of the best Plaza Nueva, 2
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005
+1 34 94 415 1678
http://www.restaurantevictor.com/
victor@cyl.com The kitchen produces contemporary interpretations of traditional Basque cuisine with style and flair along with a superb range of homemade desserts. Both fish and meat dishes are prepared with great care and served in a dining room that has been elegantly decorated with hard woods. Everything comes in generous portions. Try the medallions of beef with goose liver and their famous cappuccino cake for dessert. You can choose from over 1,500 different wines. Business people and wealthy tourists are the main clientele. There are two air-conditioned dining rooms seating 40 and 18 respectively. Staff speak French and English.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Víctor photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Zortziko

Quality and originality in a palace Alameda de Mazarredo, 17
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48001
+34 94 423 9743 This restuarant is situated in a late nineteenth century mansion. The Zortziko has had great prestige since its founding but its proximity to the Guggenheim museum enhances it even further. The Zortziko restaurant is an institution in Bilbao. Imaginative and creative cooking is practised here. It has three dining rooms, each of a very different style. One of them has a Versailles-like atmosphere, another is in the English style and the third is more contemporary. The specialities of this establishment are: Sole with Cockle Juice, Scallops on a bed of Tomato Carpaccio, Roast Baby Squid with Peppers, and Zortziko style squab. From the extensive wine list, try the Conde de Valdemar, Gran Reserva 93 at 2,100 pesetas.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Zortziko photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

guide schmapplets for other cities:Adelaide
Albuquerque
Amsterdam
Anchorage
Antwerp
Atlanta
Auckland
Austin
Baltimore
Barcelona
Bath
Belfast
Berkeley
Berlin
Bilbao
Birmingham
Boise
Bologna
Bonn
Bordeaux
Boston
Boulder
Brighton
Brisbane
Bristol
Brussels
Budapest
Buffalo
Calgary
Cambridge
Canberra
Cannes
Cardiff
Chattanooga
Chicago
Christchurch
Cologne
Copenhagen
Cork
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Dublin
Dusseldorf
Edinburgh
Florence
Florida Keys
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Myers
Fort Worth
Frankfurt
Galway
Genoa
Glasgow
Gothenburg
Hamburg
Hawaii
Helsinki
Hobart
Honolulu
Houston
Jacksonville
Kauai
Killarney
Lake Tahoe
Las Vegas
Leeds
Liverpool
London
Los Angeles
Lyon
Madrid
Manchester
Marseille
Maui and Molokai
Melbourne
Memphis
Miami
Milan
Minneapolis
Monterey and Carmel
Montpellier
Montreal
Munich
Napa Valley
Naples
Nashville
Newcastle upon Tyne
New Orleans
New York
Niagara Falls
Nice
Oklahoma City
Omaha
Orlando
Oslo
Ottawa
Oxford
Paris
Perth
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Plymouth
Portland
Prague
Reno
Richmond
Rome
Sacramento
Salamanca
Salt Lake City
Salzburg
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose and Silicon Valley
Seattle
Seville
Sheffield
Southampton
St. Louis
Stockholm
Sydney
Tampa
Tampere
Toledo
Toronto
Trieste
Tucson
Turin
Valencia
Vancouver
Venice
Verona
Vienna
Washington DC
Wellington
York
Yosemite
Zaragoza