Andra Mari Galdakao

Surrounded by nature, this charming restaurant is your place for a perfectly Basque experience. The wood building fuses elegance and comfort in a homey atmosphere, and the genuine local cuisine is made with some of the best ingredients in the region. Andra Mari is the kind of hidden gem you would recommend to good friends.

• Address:

  Barrio Elexalde 22, Elexalde Auzoa

• Phone:

  +34 944 56 00 05

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 1:30pm–4pm; Fri & Sat 1:30pm–4pm / 8:30pm–11pm; Mon closed

Arzak

Located in San Sebastian, this family-run business from 1897 is one of the most high-class restaurants in the area. It has been distinguished for its cuisine and ambience several times in the past. Arzak offers tasting menus specializing in modern Basque fare. The choice of wine is splendid, and you can combine your dinner with a visit to the great area of San Sebastian.

• Web:

  www.arzak.es/en

• Address:

  Alcalde José Elosegi Hiribidea 273, Donostia

• Phone:

  +34 943 27 84 65

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 1:30pm–3:15pm / 8:45pm–10:45pm; Sun & Mon closed

• Subway:

  Take the train from Bilbao’s central Atxuri station and you will arrive in 2 hours. You can also take the bus to San Sebastián.

El Viejo Zortzi

El Viejo Zortzi is the little brother of Zortziko. The difference between the restaurants is that El Viejo Zortzi is more informal and the prices are significantly lower than Zortziko. The quality remains, of course, the same. El Viejo Zortzi has a modern take on traditional Basque food, such as fillet of cod in pil-pil sauce and fresh hake in garlic sauce. The choice of wine here is exceptional. While you're there, you can also take a quick peek at the bar. They have an infinite amount of wine and other alcoholic beverages.

• Web:

  viejozortzi.es

• E-mail:

  infoviejo@gmail.com

• Address:

  Poza Lizentziatuaren Kalea 54, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 41 92 49

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 1pm–11pm, Sun closed

Etxanobe

This fine-dining restaurant has a great view of the Guggenheim, which beautifully complements the creative and artfully plated Basque dishes served here, such as chocolaty oxtail crépinettes and cold anchovy lasagna in tomato soup. One of the most popular dishes was not created by the chef himself but is actually a recipe from his grandmother. He paid respects to her by giving the dish her name, 'Grandmother's Cake'.

• Web:

  www.etxanobe.com

• E-mail:

  etxanobe@etxanobe.com

• Address:

  Juan Ajuriaguerra Kalea 8, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 42 10 71

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 1pm–3:30pm / 7:30pm–10:30pm; Sun closed

Gaminiz

Located in Zamudio, slightly out of the centre of town is one of Bilbao’s most famous restaurants. It's about 10 km from the city centre and a bit tricky to find, but the trip is well worth it. Cod is the main item on the menu, but don’t forget to try other dishes, like squab with peach puree. You can also have a three-course set menu, which allows you to share tapas before you dive into the main course.

• Address:

  Parque Tecnológico de zamudio, Ibaizabal, Zamudio

• Phone:

  +34 944 31 70 25

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat noon–8pm, Sun noon–6pm

Guggenheim Bilbao

For a slightly less expensive taste of Martin Berasategui’s new Basque cuisine, head to his restaurant at the Guggenheim Museum. The menu includes some real gems like tempura hake with sautéed mange-touts and Biscay cheese. It's not possible to order one dish at the restaurant, but you'll pick a menu which consists of a traditional starter, a main dish and a dessert or pintxos.

• Web:

  www.bistroguggenheimbilbao.com

• E-mail:

  info@bistroguggenheimbilbao.com

• Address:

  Abandoibarra Etorbidea 2, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 94 423 93 33

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Thu 1pm–3:30pm, Fri & Sat 1pm–3:30pm / 8pm–10pm; Sun 1pm–3:30pm

Bar El Globo

Cosy tapas bar for a wide variety of pintxos, good Spanish wines, and finding new friends among the locals of Bilbao. They also have an entire section of the menu dedicated to vegetarian dishes. El Globo is located right by the metro beside the Palacio de la Diputación, which makes it a short walk right to the bar.

• Web:

  www.barelglobo.es

• Address:

  Diputazio Kalea 8, Bilbao

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 9am–11pm, Fri 9am–midnight, Sat 11am–midnight

Bar Luzea

This tapas bar is perfect for a busy party crowd. While it’s not a bar for an extended dinner, the excellent pintxos selection provides an ideal quick refreshment. Just pop in and have a bite with your beer before you take off and walk off into the vibrating nightlife of Bilbao.

• Address:

  García Rivero Maisuaren Kalea 8, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 05 34 79

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–10:30pm

Bar Marzana

Besides a varied choice of tapas, snacks, and drinks (beer, wine, and cider), Marzana offers a great view of the river. The terrace is a favourite for tourists and locals alike and will showcase Bilbao at its best at night. Marzana has a cool and relaxing vibe, perfect after a warm day in sunny Spain.

• Address:

  Martzana Kalea 16, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 946 75 30 36

• Opening hours:

  Wed & Thu 5pm–11pm, Fri 5pm–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–11pm

Bihotz

Part craft beer bar, part coffee shop, part neighbourhood hangout, Bihotz has it all. As soon as you walk through the door, you will instantly feel at home in the cafe's casual interior. Besides coffee, at Bihotz, you'll find only the best of the best beers from local brewers.

• E-mail:

  bihotzcafebilbao@gmail.com

• Address:

  Arechaga Kalea 6, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 71 96 74

• Opening hours:

  Sun & Tue–Thu 4pm–10pm, Fri & Sat 4pm–11pm

Bilborock

This interesting concert hall is a repurposed church dating back to the 17th century. Accommodating music concerts of all kinds, cinema screenings, poetry evenings, theatre plays, dance shows, workshops, and other cultural events, Bilborock is a space for creativity in the city. Check out the event calendar on their website to see what's on while you're in Bilbao.

• Web:

  www.bilbaogazte.bilbao.eus

• E-mail:

  gazteria@bilbao.eus

• Address:

  Mesedeetako Kaia 1, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 15 13 06

Café Bar Bilbao

Bustling retro bar off Plaza Nueva serving pintxos and snacks alongside coffee and beers.

• E-mail:

  info@bilbao-cafebar.com

• Address:

  Plaza Nueva 6, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 15 16 71

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 7am–11pm, Sat 8:30am–10:30pm, Sun 8:30am–3pm

Baobab Bar Tetería

Located near the Old Town by the river, Baobab is a popular and charming teahouse offering some of the finest teas from around the world. The cosy vintage decor will make you want to stay for a little while longer. If you're looking to enjoy a cup of tea, it's best to visit in the afternoon, as the venue transforms into a bustling bar by night, offering one-euro beers on Thursdays.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/baobabteteria

• Address:

  Printzipe Kalea 1, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 946 53 41 15

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Thu 5pm–midnight, Fri–Sat 5pm–1am, Sun & Mon closed

Bihotz

Part craft beer bar, part coffee shop, part neighbourhood hangout, Bihotz has it all. As soon as you walk through the door, you will instantly feel at home in the cafe's casual interior. Besides coffee, at Bihotz, you'll find only the best of the best beers from local brewers.

• E-mail:

  bihotzcafebilbao@gmail.com

• Address:

  Arechaga Kalea 6 Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 71 96 74

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Thu & Sun 4pm–10pm; Fri & Sat 4pm–11pm, Mon closed

Bistró at the Guggenheim

After a long visit to the Guggenheim Museum, why not rest your feet at their in-house bistro? Bistró believes that a freestyle of cuisine linked to the roots of the product is a respectful gesture to the part of the culture from which it originates. Bistró offers creative Basque dishes along with wine pairings in a trendy setting with a lively terrace.

• Web:

  www.bistroguggenheimbilbao.com/en

• E-mail:

  info@bistroguggenheimbilbao.com

• Address:

  Abandoibarra Etorbidea 2, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 23 93 33

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu & Sun 1pm–3:30pm; Fri & Sat 1pm–3:30pm / 8pm–10pm

Cafe Bar Las Torres

Cafe Bar Las Torres serves some of the best coffee in Bilbao. You can enjoy the cosy interior or catch some sunlight while sitting outside on the terrace. They specialise in serving the best traditional pintxos of Bilbao, with the freshest ingredients out there.

• Web:

  www.lastorresbilbao.com

• E-mail:

  info@lastorresbilbao.com

• Address:

  Simón Bolívar Kalea 27, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 41 89 82

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 8am–10:30pm, Fri 8am–midnight, Sat 9am–midnight

Café del Arenal

For nearly 40 years, Café Del Arenal has been the benchmark café-restaurant in the Old Town of Bilbao. Always full of people, it specialises in paellas, pinchos, a carefully selected lunch and dinner menu, homemade desserts, and of course, its famous churros with chocolate sauce on the side.

• Web:

  www.cafedelarenal.com

• Address:

  Areatza Kalea 5, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 16 64 67

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu & Sun 7:30am–10pm; Fri & Sat 7:30am–11pm

Café Iruña

Café Iruña is a classic tapas bar dating back to 1903, with Arabesque motifs, carved columns, and medieval ceramics serving regional food, grilled meats, sandwiches, and pintxos in a beautifully decorated setting.

• Web:

  www.cafeirunabilbao.com

• E-mail:

  cafeiruna@grupoiruna.net

• Address:

  Colón de Larreátegui Kalea 13, Bilbao

• Phone:

  +34 944 23 70 21

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 9am–11pm, Fri 9am–midnight, Sat 11am–midnight, Sun 11am–11pm