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 Young restaurant specialising in traditional |
Alameda Recalde, 53 Bilbao 48008 Spain |
Although this is a young restaurant -hardly seven years old - the Arrikibar has already carved a niche for itself among the best. The dining room, decorated in rustic style, is a sign that this restaurant specialises in traditional cooking "always prepared with seasonal ingredients". Fresh fish predominates in the kitchen. It is the ingredient most in demand with the clients, the majority of whom are in the medium to high income bracket. Among our suggestions are the slivers of cod, grilled fish and the sea-bass with lemon. In the cellar, the Crianza wines of the Rioja Alavesa are predominant. In common with many other restaurants in Spain, the establishment does not offer a no smoking area. Meals can be ordered to take away. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Typical Spanish barbecue |
Egaña, 27 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48010 Spain +34 94 443 0664 |
This spacious establishment with seating for 140 has in seven years become the perfect place to get to know and taste authentic Castilian cooking. The three separate dining rooms are decorated in the typical Castilian style, with hardwoods much in evidence. At weekends there is a predominantly family atmosphere at the Asador Aranda, while during the week it is a popular place for business lunches. The size of the establishment allows it to cater for dinners and events with large numbers of people. It is a grill in the Castilian style, which means its speciality is roast spring lamb. They are also specialists in what is called Castilian seafood, which in fact has nothing to do with seafood, being cured meat dishes like ham, chorizo, morcilla (black pudding) sausages, and grilled peppers and sweetbreads. As will be appreciated, these are quality products from the wide expanse that is Castile. Thursday is a very special day to visit the restaurant because as well as spring lamb they also prepare suckling pig. The house wines could only be from La Ribera del Duero, sure to complement your meal. They generally close for holidays the first fortnight of August, but it is recommended to check. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The cod recommended here |
Enrique Eguren, 4 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48012 Spain +34 94 443 5026 |
The Bola-Viga restaurant is synonymous with cod. This restaurant situated near the Vista Alegre bullring is known as "the cod house". In the Bola-Viga, whether you have your cod "á la Vizcaína", "al pil-pil" or however, you can rest assured it will be delicious. This establishment of traditional Basque cuisine has a fairly well-heeled clientele, being a specialist restaurant and not exactly cheap. But this restaurant seating 30 people offers more than just cod; oxtail and hake are also good choices. Other creations from the Bola-Viga kitchen are: cooked and pickled paté and grilled fresh "kokotxas" (a delicacy of the underside of a hake's jaw) while the desserts are all home-made. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Unusual restaurant |
Hurtado de Amézaga, 5 Bilbao 48008 Spain +34 94 443 2172 |
Casa Rufo was founded in 1955, but not as a restaurant; it was originally a shop and, although it has been a restaurant for five years, it has not abandoned its original business. Casa Rufo is, then, probably different from any other restaurant. A rustic atmosphere is created by the stone and wood decor. It is the restaurant of choice for 'executives, politicians, artists, foreigners, etc...' The speciality here is meat. The visitor here should try a good Chop or Fillet Steak. The Cod Fillet is also very well prepared, as are the Paté and the Anchovies. They also assure us that the croquettes are a lot of people's favourites. Given that the meat is not exactly cheap, you should come here prepared, though the prices are not too outrageous. What is certain is that not too many students are found eating here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Friendly French restaurant |
General Concha,12 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48009 Spain +34 94 421 8526 |
A touch of France in the centre of an increasingly international city: Chez Maité is a French restaurant that takes pains with fish, its speciality. The clientele here is generally fairly well-heeled and comes to this establishment in search of something different: a taste of France. The place is decorated in a highly unusual style. The dining area is colourful and gay. The walls are a combination of pink and blue, in contrast to the yellow of the floor. Impressionist paintings hang on the walls. The menu of the day costs around 2,000 pesetas and the á la carte menus vary between 3,400 and 4,800 pesetas. To start you can try a pasta salad with thin red peppers and for the main course a juicy baked horse-mackerel or an exquisite "dorada" fish, also baked. The duck cooked in orange is delicious. There is also a good selection of home-made desserts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Good fish and cigars |
Plaza de Zabálburu, 2 Bilbao 48003 Spain |
Traditional Basque cooking is the speciality of this restaurant and seafood and fish - "from the Cantabrian sea", insists the proprietor - have a high profile. The oxtail is also in great demand with the Clíper's clientele. Mahogany is the main feature of the classicly styled dining room which seats 40. There is also a separate table for eight for occasions that demand more intimacy. To make a non smoking section here would be something close to impossible, the restaurant being considered the 'house of the cigar', according to its owner. This is a place frequented by people who enjoy smoking a good Havana. It is also a very family oriented place and popular with the over-forties. They also know something about wine here, and prefer vintages from the Rioja Alta region. The house wine costs 1,500 pesetas. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Maximum simplicity |
Alameda de Recalde, 54 Bilbao 48008 Spain |
With a name like this it can only be an Italian restaurant. You'll find the essence of Italy in a spacious location with seating for 130. It is a young restaurant, just nine years old, but booking is advised, especially at the weekend, because despite its size it tends to get full. Young people of around thirty-five and under form the nucleus of the clientele. They are delighted with the simplicity and friendliness of the place. The clarity in the dining area as much as in the menu is a big plus for the Domenicos restaurant. Here are a few recommendations: warm pasta salad, selection of pastas, "carpaccios" of meat and cod, depending on one's taste, and there is also fillet steak. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Spacious restaurant in Hotel Indautxu |
Plaza Bombero Etxaniz, s/n Bilbao, Vizcaya 48010 Spain +34 94 421 1198 |
This is the restaurant of the Hotel Indautxu. It is a relatively new hotel and therefore, so is its restaurant. However, in a few short years it has managed to demonstrate its quality. In cosy, pleasant and modern surroundings, customers can appreciate the refined cooking based on traditional dishes that is practised here. The size of the place allows for large gatherings and there is seating for up to 300. If, however, you want to escape the maddening crowd, there is also a small dining room where you can lunch or dine á la carte. Here are a few suggestions: scallop salad with gazpacho, oxtail in pastry, scrambled wild mushrooms and cod cooked in a variety of ways. There is an extensive wine cellar and one suggestion is the Muga, Crianza, at 1,875 pesetas. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Stews among classical and Basque music |
Euskalduna, 4 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48008 Spain +34 94421 3125 |
This is a restaurant in which the decor pays homage to the Basque classics of music. The establishment is decorated with mementos that evoke the opera and Basque musicians. Following the music analogy, we have to say that the cooking in the Euskaldena interprets the classic Basque repertoire perfectly. Nothing jars, there are no false notes. This is the place for those who know how to appreciate their music, which comes free with good cooking. The two arts complement one another perfectly here. To whet the appetite, here are a few suggestions: Vegetable Stew, Baked Sea-bass, Prime Rib, and Peaches with Walnuts and Cream. As for wines, there is a 92 Lan or an Imperial, Gran Reserva. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sergio Rodríguez |
 Photo: Josu Orbe  |
 Photo: Javier Royo Gutiérrez |
 Generous portions! |
Alameda San Mames 39 Bilbao, Vizcaya Spain +34 94 422 3835 |
This Chinese food place serves the usual fare, such as Rollo Primavera, Tallarines, Arroz Frito con Pollo and Gambas. It also serves Dim Sum on weekends. The average price for a meal is approximately EUR8. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Basically family restaurant |
Bertendona, 2 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48008 Spain +34 94 415 5644 |
For twenty yeras the Gaiko restaurant has been offering excellent service to customers who are not reticent about saying that they feel at home here. This establishment of 400 square metres has five dining rooms, all decorated with various pastoral scenes from Bilbao's past. The restaurant is a favourite stopping place with tourists visiting the Guggenheim Museum and these days, it is advisable to book. Home cooking at a reasonable price is what's on offer and here are a few recommendations: cod cooked "al pil-pil", charcoal-grilled ribs, juicy fillet and sirloin steaks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Vegetarian, bohemian and economical |
Fernández del Campo, 7 Bilbao 48010 Spain +34 94 422 3255 |
El Garibolo is a vegetarian restaurant, so it is not difficult to imagine what the specialities of the house are. Even so, we recommend the stuffed aubergines (eggplant) and the artichoke fritters with pine nuts. The desserts here are very special. They are, of course, like everything else in this restaurant, prepared with natural ingredients. Wholemeal desserts with every type of fruit: apple, pineapple, kiwi, etc. Apart from being very cosy, this establishment is like an art gallery, with paintings by local artists hanging on the walls. It is a favourite place of the young, of those in the liberal professions, people related to the theatre and arts. There is a bohemian atmosphere with simple and nutritious cooking. There are no reservations taken during the week, only on weekends. There is also a takeaway service available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Classical, modern, English influence |
Alameda de Urquijo, 30 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48008 Spain +34 94 443 4937 |
The Gorrotxa offers a good ratio of service, price and quality. It's true that the prices are a little high but luxury has to be paid for and that's what a dinner at the Gorrotxa is. The English style is evident in the careful and harmonious decor. Haute cuisine with a constant reference to Basque recipes is what you'll find at the Gorrotxa. The restaurant has a faithful clientèle that knows how to appreciate quality, which in this case does not compromise quantity. Here are some suggestions from among the many succulent dishes on offer: Sole in Seafood Sauce, Squab á la Crapaudine and Turbot cooked with Onions. From the extensive wine list we suggest: Viña Alcorta, Crianza del 95, at 1,800 pesetas. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Watch your meat grill |
Iparraguirre, 56 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48010 Spain +1 34 94 422 0089 |
You can be sure you're getting fresh food here because you can watch the chefs prepare everything in the open-plan kitchen. Grilled meats and fish are the specialities and they're best accompanied by fine wines like Viña Vallabona, very reasonably priced at 1000 ptas (EUR 6.01) a bottle. The interior perfectly evokes the style and atmosphere of an authentic old tavern, with bare stone walls lit by old-fashioned wrought-iron lamps. The lunchtime clientele tend to be office workers, but on weekends it's a much more varied crowd. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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De'lee'ciously Chinese! |
Pedro Martinez Artola 12 Zabalburum Bilbao, Vizcaya 48012 Spain +34 94 444 2328 |
This is a favourite Chinese restaurant of the locals in Bilbao. Elegant, intimate interiors lend it a distinctly Oriental ambience, and it is famous for its delicious Dim Sum - try the Pao Tse or the Shao Mai varieties, they come highly recommended. For your main course, try the Arroz Frito de Pollo, or the Tallarines de Gambas, and a meat of your choice in one of the several delicious sauces available. Wind up your meal with fried bananas in honey. You will definitely visit Mr. Lee again! Review © 2007, Wcities |