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 New Basque cuisine |
Máximo Aguirre, 1 Bilbao 48011 Spain +34 94 423 7150 |
The Ama Lurre restaurant, which opened in 1990, has made a niche for itself, in the city. The classical style prevails in its two dining rooms, one of which is private. It is situated next to the Museo de Bellas Artes, one of the most important museums, along with the Guggenheim, in town. There is no excuse then not to visit the art gallery before or after lunch. The quality of the cooking is also evident in the canapés available at he bar. This is a restaurant which specialises in new Basque cuisine, particularly fish and seafood. The dishes that stand out at the Ama Lurre are Lobster and Avocado Salad with in-season Spinach and Ox Filets with oporto paté. Remelluri, 91 Reserve, is a good wine to go with these dishes. The set menu in this establishment costs 6,500 pesetas. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Inside Artaza Hotel |
Avenida de Los Chopos, 12 Bilbao 48990 Spain +34 94 491 2852 |
The restaurant inside the Hotel Artaza is located just 15kilometres from Bilbao in Neguri, which is in the Getxo municipality and one of the most luxurious districts in Vizcaya. The hotel has been declared a historic-artistic monument. It also has extensive grounds that have been turned into a garden. The dining area is divided into three rooms, all luxuriously decorated, seating 25, 60 and 140 people. The hardwoods blend well with the sky-blue walls and ceilings which are reflected in the linen. There is also a white fireplace, making the establishment cosy even in the winter months. Don't miss the Red Bream á la Vizcaína. The steak Wellington and seafood are also delicious. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Small, young and bohemian |
Plaza de los Santos Juanes, 2 Bilbao 48006 Spain +31 94 415 6147 |
This restaurant started out in 1936 and has evolved greatly to be what it is today: a cosy place where mostly young people meet. This is reflected in the new and original creations that come from the kitchen, always in keeping with the means of the youngest and all in a very informal atmosphere. Botxo Kafe is situated next to the San Antón bridge and near the famous La Ribera market. The dining room has a separate entrance from the bar. It is not particularly spacious, with seating for forty. Drawings of ships and shelves full of books cover the restaurant walls. The service here is very reasonable and very efficient. From Monday to Thursday at lunchtime there is a set menu for just 1,100 pesetas and in the evenings a special menu for 2,500 pestas. Some suggestions are: pink rice salad, aubergines (eggplant) stuffed with cheese, barbecued potatoes with pumpkin bolognese sauce, scrambled eggs with crab meat, and mussels. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Succulent dishes at the bar |
Avenida de Madariaga, 9 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48014 Spain +34 94 475 1581 |
Situated in Deusto, one of Bilbao's most popular districts, this restaurant is a winner not only with locals but with practically the whole of the city. In a wonderful setting where harmony reigns, the Deustoarrak offers its clientele all its considerable culinary know-how. Hardwood is the predominant feature in the decor of this establishment. The wooden beams and pictures on the walls give a special charm to this place, which is also famous for the light meals (raciones, larger portions than tapas) it serves at the bar. It is the ideal location for business lunches or farewell dinners or any other event for that matter. The Barbecued Fresh Fish is famous here but the Grilled Ribs are also worthy of mention. But if the barbecued fish and meat are famous, the home-made desserts are no less so. The bill here comes to around 5,000 pesetas, which is not a bad price-quality ratio. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Restaurant of Palacio de Congresos |
Avenida Abandoibarra, 4 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48013 Spain +34 94 442 1071 |
This new restaurant inside the Palacio Euskalduna has made quite a splash and is one of the city's "in" places to eat. It's spacious with two dining rooms, one of which is private. Plenty of light and a spectacular mural on one of the walls are two features of this restaurant, as well as a fabulous terrace from which you can see part of the estuary and the Guggenheim Museum, a wonderful sight not to be missed. If the views are impressive, then the haute cuisine creations on offer at the Etxanobe restaurant are even more so. No menus of the day are served here; you order á la carte or choose a series of tasters. Some of the delights on offer are: carpaccio of Norway lobster with a vinagrette of smoked bacon, and roast squab on a compote of olives. The restaurant and the elegant and sophisticated building it's in will no doubt be the location of many spectacular events in the city. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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For informal dinners |
Rodríguez Arias, 71 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48013 Spain +34 94 442 5507 |
The entrance to this restaurant is unusual: a stone arch surrounded by creepers and grilled windows, reminiscent of an Andalusian farmhouse, greets visitors. Once inside, a small but comfortable bar offers informal dining. In the dining room proper, whose decor is based on light tones and hardwood, there is menu service and the cooking is home-style. In La Galea they prepare "seasonal dishes" and the service is excellent. Good fresh fish are the stars of the establishment, but there are other things, too, and here are a few suggestions: grilled sea-bass provencale, kokotxas (a delicacy of the underside of a cod's jaw) "al pil-pil" or in green sauce, lamb stew and ox sirloin. The "pinchos" dinners cost between 2,000 and 3,000 pesetas. The menu is another kettle of fish (and much pricier)! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Surprising creations |
Areatza, 38 Bilbao 48620 Spain +34 94 443 4937 |
Gaminiz restaurant used to be located in Plentzia, about 25km from Bilbao. Now it is located in the center of Bilbao. It is impossible to speak of the restaurant without mentioning chef Aitor Elizegl, who has been prized for his modern cuisine that uses typical Basque ingredients and cooking methods. 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 try other dishes, like the Spring Chicken Paté or the Squab with a Peach Puree. To accompany these culinary delights, we suggest a 92 Barón de Oña, Reserva. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The Guggenheim restaurant |
Avenida de Abandoibarra, 2 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48001 Spain +34 94 435 9080 |
It is well-known that this restaurant owes its name to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum and has also been open for two years. The establishment shows the same modernity as the building that houses it. The dining room is completely modern in design and build. The chairs are a creation of the famous museum's architect, Frank Ghery. As you can imagine, it is essential to book well in advance. The Guggenheim's chef is Martí Berasategui, so quality is assured. Apart from what's on offer on the menu, customers can choose from three different special menus: one classic, another contemporary, and the third based on seasonal ingredients. Here are some suggestions: Salad with marinated Anchovies, Glazed Cutlets, Rice with small Squid or Angler fish with Octupus Stew. As far as the desserts are concerned, they are all so good it's impossible to choose. The average á la carte price is 6,500 pesetas, though the special menus start at 5,000 pesetas. This is another good excuse for visiting the museum. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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On the beach |
Playa de Ereaga, s/n Bilbao, Vizcaya 48990 Spain +34 94 491 0009 |
This restaurant is housed in an old spa that used to belong to the Bilbaoan Society of Igeretxe. As it is situated right on the beach, customers have wonderful views of the sea. The light that comes in through the immense windows washes over the dining area so that little decoration is needed. Simple furniture and a few wall lamps in turn of the century style are sufficient to give the place a cosy atmosphere. It is situated in the best possible place; on one side the Getxo marina, on the other the old port of Algorta, two places no visitor to Getxo should miss. Some suggestions: hake fillets stuffed with crab and cream of peppers, veal escalopes in orange sauce, and fillet steak with salmon. There is an extensive wine list to choose from as well. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Home-style fare with quality products |
Ercilla, 28 Bilbao 48011 Spain +34 94 443 7011 |
This simply decorated, home-style restaurant is almost half a century old. It is homey, not only because of the service, but because of its dimensions: the dining room has only six tables. It is therefore advisable to book well in advance. The El Kirol is an á la carte restaurant where a meal can cost up to 7,000 pesetas per person, but the quality is guaranteed. It is known for its exquisite vegetable stew and its preparations of hake, tripe and pigs' snouts. These dishes, and many more, are prepared in the purest home-made style and to accompany them what better than the house wine, a Paternina Banda Oro, at 1,700 pesetas? 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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Young atmosphere and quality cooking |
Henao, 3 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48009 Spain +34 94 424 6311 |
Originality is one of the main characteristics of this restaurant which is situated in one of the city's most central areas. A restaurant of high quality and an unconventional atmosphere, the decor of the María Mani's dining room is, to say the least, curious. The walls are scarlet in colour with large cardboard or papier maché figures, as well as period costumes, hanging from them. A small bar with stone walls leads into the dining room. The service is very attentive and the cuisine is contemporary and prepared with seasonal ingredients. On working days a very reasonable and satisfying menu is offered, while at weekends there are special menus for lunch and dinner. Here are a few suggestions: paté salad, mushroom "revuelto" (stir-fried with egg), steak fillet slices, skewered angler fish, stuffed peppers or sirloin steak. They offer a great and wholesome variety that will not let you down. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Modern establishment, French influence |
Gran Vía, 40 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48009 Spain |
Although it's not yet ten years since the dining room of this restaurant was opened, it is already a classic. In the Metro Moyúa's kitchen they have managed to reproduce classic recipes and added a little imagination. The decor has a great deal of French influence and enormous windows allow a view of part of the Gran Vía, where the restaurant is situated, and the nearby square to which it owes its name: the Plaza Moyúa. In modern and elegant surroundings you can order a menu of the day for just 1,500 pesetas. The á la carte dining room is situated at the back of the restaurant. During the summer months you can enjoy all of these delicious dishes out on the restaurant's spacious terrace. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Small but big on quality |
Gran Vía, 6 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48001 Spain |
This restaurant has managed very well to compensate for its limited space with excellent quality cooking where the ingredients are treated with extreme care. Being situated in the Gran Vía, an area with many offices, it is not surprising that on weekdays the greater part of the clientele consists of company employees. It is also a very homely and intimate place, though, which is perhaps in some part due to its modest dimensions. El Monterrey is an exquisite bistro serving quality seasonal dishes at a reasonable price. Here are some specialities: assortment of vegetables, hake with king prawns, oxtail stew, and Monterrey flank of beef. From the extensive wine cellar, a good choice might be the Imperial, Reserva 91. Review © 2007, 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 |
