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 The essence of Peru |
Barrencalle, 5 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +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 exotic 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 ceviche (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 like custard but sweeter. All desserts are made with condensed milk. The Ají Colorado restaurant prepares food to take away. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Classic Basque cuisine in Casco Viejo |
Jardines, 2 Bilbao 48005 Spain +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. 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 |
 Photo: wcities |
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The purest Basque style |
Somera, 1 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 5019 |
This restaurant has a rather stately atmosphere and is entered through a small and cosy bar. It is situated just opposite the famous La Ribera market and in one of the most charismatic and typical streets of the Casco Viejo. It is an establishment frequented by company employees of forty and above. The tourist will have no problems in making himself understood here as the staff speak English. At lunch time during the week, you can sample the home cooking at a very reasonable price, the menu costing just 1,050 pesetas. During the weekends and evenings the menus are more elaborate and there is more choice, with prices ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 pesetas. First, you should take note of the starters: cured ham, fried asparagus, etc., and afterwards choose between the hake stuffed with pepppers, the cod "al pil-pil" (very slowly simmered), steak fillets with sauce or peppers, breast of duck with wild mushrooms; none of which will disappoint you. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Stuffed mussels a speciality |
María Muñoz, 6 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0855 |
The Baste bar is right in the heart of the old part of the city. It is ideal for a snack at midday, when the bar has speciality fried dishes, lovely little stuffed mussels, and little pieces of cod, washed down with good wine. This is also a good place for trying good Scottish, Irish or Valencian coffee. It is great for eating out, with a dining room offering beautifully-prepared, affordable daily menus. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Home-made cakes and photo exhibition |
Torre, 1 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 416 5882 |
The Bizitza cafe-bar is in the old part of the city, in a street with lots of atmosphere, especially at the weekend. It is a quiet place, where attention is given to the decor and music, creating a pleasant location on two floors where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee or tea. The sweet-toothed might like to try a piece of home-made cake (all sorts of cakes made on the premises), and take a look at the latest photo exhibition. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Eating seafood in fresh air |
Plaza Nueva, 8 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0127 |
The Charly is a bar in the heart of the old part of the city, under the arches in the Plaza Nueva. You can try all kinds of combo platters or fast food sitting outside on the terrace, watching the world go by. The bar offers all kinds of shellfish and its main dishes are 'rabas' (fried strips of squid or cuttlefish), tigers (mussels in spicy tomato sauce), and octopus. Its specialty is Fideua, a delicious dish made in the same way as paella, but with noodles. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cod omelette as speciality |
Santa María, 10 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 4861 |
The Gatz is a little bar in the old part of the city where you can take a break, sitting quietly at a table or the bar. The bar prides itself in the presentation as well as the preparation of its tapas. Specialities of the house include small portions of potato omelette, and also cod omelette, beef kebabs and a variety of little canapes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Famous grilled mushrooms |
Somera, 41 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 9779 |
The Motrikes is located in one of the oldest streets in the old part of the city, and nowadays is one of the places which groups of people visit on their pub crawl (drinking in lots of bars but just having a small amount of wine, beer or another drink in each). This bar is a little place, with stone-clad walls, where you can try tasty grilled mushrooms at lunch-time or in the evening, as the grill is on until midnight. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Terrace and tasty canapes |
Plaza Nueva, 5 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0874 |
Bilbao's Plaza Nueva is an interesting place for tourists, with bars under the arches. The Urdiña is one of them, and is recognisable by its blue interior decor and its tables outside in the square on sunny days. One of the bar's specialities is the delicious dish of scrambled eggs with mushrooms, roasted and slightly spicy red peppers with anchovies, or excellent prawns. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Where you can nibble cheese |
Perro, 2 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 9772 |
The Xukela is a bar in the Calle del Perro, in the old part of the city, in one of the busiest tourist streets. You have got to try the local cheese, cured ham, hot salads, and any other of the tapas offered at the bar, with your drink. You can also read the daily newspapers at the bar or at a table, making your visit to this bar really relaxing. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Elegant and exclusively for male |
Navarra, 1 Bilbao 48001 Spain |
Climbing from the the Arenal bridge and walking to the calle Navarra, we come across the distinguished building which has been declared of cultural interest and houses one of the most select private clubs in the Vizcayan capital, created in 1839. In its beginnings, La Sociedad Bilbaína had its headquarters in Plaza Nueva, but in 1913 it moved to its present site. This building with its emblematic facade and large bay windows, was built by Emiliano Amnan. Founded as a place of relaxation and recreation in the purest European style of the time, this magnificent club has one of the most important private libraries in Spain, containing more than 40,000 volumes, including incunabula. This outstanding building is opulently decorated inside, and some of the most important personalities in the areas of economics, finance and culture have passed through its doors. Apart from general club rooms, it has areas for games like chess and billiards. The general public are allowed into its restaurant and English bar. Women cannot become members of the Sociedad Bilbaína. Given the matriarchal nature of Basque society, it is worth respecting the exclusive masculinity of this domain. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Speciality coffee and tea |
Plaza Santos Juanes, 2 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48006 Spain +34 94 415 6147 botxos@teleline.es |
The Botxo Kafe is an attractive renovated cafe, where you can try one of its speciality coffees or teas. You can eat there too, as it is also a restaurant where the warm salads are recommended. The cafe is done out in wood with modern lamps hanging from the ceiling, eye-catching, carved wooden tables, each of a different design, and a big white clock on the end wall. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Traditional cafe opposite Teatro Arriaga |
Paseo del Arenal, 1 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0282 |
There are various establishments opposite the Teatro Arriaga, including the El Tilo bar and cafe, which is named after the imposing tree in the Paseo del Arenal, which has a very pleasant smell in summer. This is a small bar with walls decorated with lovely fresco paintings, where you can drink excellent coffee, with peaceful classical music playing constantly in the background. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Old, pretty and atmospheric |
Plaza Circular, 3 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48001 Spain +34 (0)944 23 1813 |
Come in the morning and you'll find this place full of local workers, students and tourists having breakfast and reading the newspapers. Come after work and it's full to the brim with people having drinks and tapas, and it gets really busy at night when the music is turned up loud for dancing. La Granja opened for business in 1926 and it has been doing a roaring trade ever since! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Prestigious venue |
Paseo del Arenal, 3 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +1 34 94 415 3128 |
An atmospheric 19th century cafe that was later refurbished in Art Deco style, it's become a meeting place for literary discussion groups on Tuesdays. It's popular with the general public as well and you'll find it opposite Arriaga Theatre. It serves excellent tapas, or pinchos, of things like potato omelette and peppers stuffed with cod along with sandwiches and ham and cheese on toast to eat with your drinks. You have to book the restaurant and arrange a menu in advance if you want to eat a proper sit-down meal here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Thomas Cloer |
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Traditional cafe in old town |
Ribera, 16 Bilbao 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0267 |
This is an old cafe in the old part of the city, which has a traditional atmosphere, where time seems to have stood still, and where you can have something to eat with your coffee from the selection on the bar. The Merced is not just a cafe. If you are in a hurry you can have the set menu or eat a la carte for a reasonable cost. Or if you would rather dine with your friends you can have a delicious evening meal. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Period cafe with terrace |
Plaza Nueva, 6 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 1671 http://www.lanzadera.com/bilbao bilbao@iname.com |
The Cafe-bar Bilbao dates back to 1911, and is in the heart of the old part of the city, in the Plaza Nueva, under one of its many arches, where the square meets the Calle Sombrereria. Its horseshoe-shaped bar, tables and tiles make it an ideal place for relaxing with a delicious breakfast, snack or aperitif. It has a variety of tapas, and its hot calamares, rabas (fried strips of squid or cuttlefish), and mushrooms are very good. You can eat inside or out on the terrace, watching all the people in the square. You should also take a look at the representative drawings hanging outside the bar, such as Mari Jaia (a giant puppet), which plays an important role in Bilbao's Semana Grande (Big Week) fiesta. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: jorge castro |
 Photo: Leanne |
 Photo: Janelle Norman |
 Quality and good service |
Somera, 4 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 8497 |
The Chino Somera is in the oldest part of Bilbao, in one of the old quarter's liveliest streets, and decoratively fulfils all the requisites of the "typical Chinese" restaurants with which practically every Spanish city is inundated. There is an extensive menu with something for everybody, as well as menu of the day at a more than reasonable cost. These are some specialities: Sweet and Sour Pork, Fish with Mushrooms and Bamboo shoots, Peking barbecued duck and a dish with a very romantic name: "Prawns in Love". From the wine list, try the Marqués Riscal. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Typical tapas |
El Perro, 4 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0242 |
Eguiluz's dining room is on the first floor of a building in the middle of the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter). Calle El Perro is one of the busiest "tapas" areas in the Vizcayan capital. In fact, apart from the traditional type of cooking offered here we recommend sampling the tapas at the bar. In the "txoko" style—the area of typical Basque houses where the family would get together to eat and decorated with walls painted white with beech edgings, this restaurant offers menus of the day. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A flutter and...dinner |
Navarra, 1 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48001 Spain +34 94 424 0007 http://www.gran-casino-nervion.es bilbao@gran-casino.nervion.es |
An unforgettable soirée awaits the visitor to this establishment, because a visit to the Ibaigane restaurant also means a visit to the Gran Casino Nervión, a centre of recreation, games and guaranteed fun. But let's leave aside the fruit machines, the games room and the La Concordia bar and concentrate on the restaurant. A spacious and luxurious dining room awaits the visitor, with seating for 100 people in a cosy atmosphere. The vivid crimson upholstery, along with the subtle lighting, lends the place a romantic atmosphere. Of course, we're talking about the evening here, but during the day what's on the other side of the large windows is equally impressive: two features without which Bilbao would not be the enchanting city it is: the estuary and the Arriaga Theatre. Good Basque cooking conscientiously prepared is on offer here. Exquisite dishes come out of the Ibaigane kitchen, such as angler fish with sweetened potatoes, pigs' trotters stuffed with paté and olives and the famous cod "al pil-pil" (very slowly simmered). The wine cellar is very extensive and we recommend asking for advice when ordering a wine to accompany the delicious dishes. Finally, there are not many restaurants where you can dine seven days a week, and even less until 2:30 in the morning. A real pleasure. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Open all hours |
Barrenkale Barrena, 7 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +1 34 94 415 9642 |
It's a venue that changes functions throughout the day to suit its clients. You can come for a late breakfast snack, pop in at lunchtime for tapas or come in the evening for serious drinking and music. You'll see displays of work by 'alternative' painters on the walls and you can entertain yourself chatting with friends or playing board games. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Young and English style |
Correo, 1 Bilbao 48005 Spain |
This young restaurant pertaining to the Hotel Melía Confort is in El Arenal and opposite the estuary. It is a very elegant place with a great deal of English influence in its decor. The hardwood floor and beige upholstery lend charm to the dining room. In these distinguished surroundings the customer can enjoy an exquisite spinach "revuelto" (stir-fried with egg), a chicory salad, succulent steaks or lamb. It is open daily and offers set menus during lunch and weekend special menus. Saturdays is á la carte dining only. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Luxury and quality in Casco Viejo |
Perro, 3 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0228 |
This restaurant is situated in one of the most popular streets of Bilbao's Casco Viejo (Old Quarter). It is a luxurious establishment with a decor that has been thought out down to the last detail. It also professes to offer "unbeatable service". Up-dated traditional Basque cuisine is the specialty. One of the dishes not to be missed at the Mandoya is the lobster, which comes from the restaurant's own nursery. But apart from the lobster, here are a few other suggestions: seafood and smoked fish salad, charcoal-grilled sea-bass or "chuletón" (steak) with garnish. There is also a large selection of home-made desserts. Mandoya normally closes from the end of July through the first week in August. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Seasonal dishes |
Aretxaga, 2 Bilbao 48003 Spain +34 94 415 0519 |
This is a very unusual restaurant in a very particular setting. It is found in the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter), next to la Ribera market, one of the most popular shopping locations for Bilbaoans. The decor inside the restaurant is modern and the atmosphere very intimate. This establishment is a favourite with young bohemian types who dislike the conventional and are after something different. The unconventional atmosphere is reflected in the cooking and here are some of the creations to come out of the kitchen: Tuna in a flaky pastry case, Peppers stuffed with Morcilla (black pudding), cod cooked in a variety of ways, and Roast Duck with Orange Sauce. The desserts are home-made. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cheerful place |
Plaza Nueva, 9 Bilbao 48005 Spain |
When the De Miguel brothers took over the running of this restaurant three years ago, they brought a 'spark of cheerfulness to the Plaza Nueva'. Each month the decor of the place changes, and its walls are an improvised gallery for the work of local artists. The restaurant owners are up to date and adorn the restaurant according to the calendar. During the April 'Feria', for example, the restaurant is decorated in the style of a Seville 'caseta' (a sort of marquee with a bar and dancing inside) which is erected during the fair season there. The same goes for the 'Carnavales'. The brothers proudly point out their first prize in the fancy dress competition for Bilbao establishments. Speaking of food, the Plaza Nueva offers homely Basque cooking with fresh fish from Lekeitio as the main protagonist. Recommendations are: cod 'al pil-pil' (cooked slowly), squid, and ham croquettes. "Txakolí' (Basque wine) and country cider are the preferred drinks here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Homely atmosphere, traditional cooking |
Barrencalle Barrena, 16 Bilbao 48005 Spain +34 94 415 0123 |
Good traditional Basque cooking in an almost family atmosphere is what we have here. On entering the Saibigain we are faced with a large bar, impregnated with the aroma of the cured hams hanging over it. The dining room is on the first floor and reached by climbing some stairs at the end of the bar. With exposed ceiling beams, the place is reminiscent of an old Basque country house. The service in this restaurant is outstanding. There is a choice between several menus priced between 2,600 and 4,500 pesetas. Some recommendations are: Appetisers of ham, pork loin or asparagus; Steak Fillet, Grilled Ribs or Cod prepared in the purest home-made style. Review © 2007, Wcities |
