In Bilbao there are not residents, there are txikiteros. Txikiteros are names given to those who drink txikitos, small glasses of wine served in the bars.
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There is nothing so remarkable in Bilbao, with the exception of the Guggenheim Museum and all its urban development, as its gastronomy. It contains traditions, history and tricks of the trade from previous generations.
Unless you have friends from there, you're going to have to look for a good place to get started in the world of Basque gastronomy. To that end, we bring you a list of some of the best restaurants with a Basque flavour.
It's not just about the best quality products from Bilbao, to be able to savour the incredible dishes of Basque gastronomy you need someone with a lot of experience and history in the kitchen.
Join us on this tour that will take us from the most traditional bars with their pintxos to the most sophisticated haute cuisine restaurants. All with the same idea in common: quality, good workmanship and Basque flavour.
Alameda de Recalde, 47A
To begin our list, we have chosen a place that could be considered a bar rather than a restaurant. Here, cosy and homely take on a whole new dimension. The staff is charming and attentive and the cuisine is fast and exquisite.
If you are taking your first steps in the Villa, try the Menu del Día, which will not disappoint you and will have a bit of everything as well as being economical. Although if we have to highlight one dish, go for the kokotxas and for dessert, cheesecake. Don't forget the patxaran with your coffee.
Campo de Volantín Pasealekua, 4
A family restaurant where you can immerse yourself in the Basque culture and gastronomy. The dishes are traditional and with a flavour that will remind you of the dishes your grandmother used to prepare.
Kokotxa de Merluza Al Pil Pil, Marmitako de Calamares, leek confit and the list goes on and on until you can combine lunch with dinner. It's a homely, friendly atmosphere, and you can feel it both in the dishes and in the way they treat you. A safe bet. Don't forget to order the apple pie.
Avenida Ramón y Cajal, 24
We set foot in the Deusto area for the first time, and we can be sure it won't be the only time, don't forget to stroll through Botica Vieja and cross back to the Old Town and its Seven Streets over the Euskalduna Bridge.
Nice decoration in keeping with the local and homely food. This restaurant is the perfect place to take a tour of the different types of Pintxos. They have a fantastic atmosphere and the top quality products are obvious in every bite. Don't forget the Kabratxo Cake. Once you've tried it, you can eat all you want.
Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra, 8
We jumped to Abando, the heart of the Villa de Bilbao and the Ensanche. Although we are still willing to try the best Basque cuisine, with its traditional flavours and nuances, here they have managed to innovate in terms of its preparation and presentation but without losing any of its essence.
In this haute cuisine restaurant, you will be able to enjoy a fantastic tasting menu, although you should not miss the opportunity to try the pil pil cod, the kokotxas, the fried hake and its incredible anchovy lasagna. High level cuisine with grandmother's recipe book.
Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra, 22
Specialists in fish and seafood, with a touch of elegance that goes from the decoration to the service, including the presentation of the most typical dishes of seafood gastronomy.
More than 50 years of experience in the sector endorse this family restaurant which, despite being great connoisseurs of seafood products, also knows how to get the best out of other dishes such as the T-bone steak thanks to a careful working method and fresh, quality raw materials.
In addition, it is worth noting its large collection of wines in a cellar that could be the envy of any oenologist.
Alameda de Mazarredo, 17
What would happen if we were to combine the elegance of the Zapirain Restaurant we have just seen with the premises just before it, the haute cuisine restaurant La Despensa del Etxanobe? Possibly, the result would be very close to the Zortziko Restaurant.
Elegant ambience, with large chandeliers, red armchairs and a dining room in which not a single detail is missing in its nod to good taste. Of course, at the same level as the restaurant is its delicious cuisine. Everything that comes out of its kitchens could well be considered a masterpiece.
We recommend ordering their Tasting Menu, Menú de Degustación, no one better than themselves to take your taste buds on a journey to places they've never been before.
Calle Henao, 13
Fantastic mix of tavern, bar and restaurant, where you will find the charm and the best of each of them in the same place.
Its central location is not a reason why good food has to be expensive. Their menu of the day is a hit if you want to try a bit of the traditional, the service is very friendly and the quality is one of the best you can try in the heart of Bilbao.
Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra, 16
An ode to Basque cuisine, to each of its dishes and ingredients. Tradition and innovation go hand in hand. Casual dishes and pintxos, with a lot of flavour to offer and fantastic creativity.
Let their dishes do the talking; crispy rock mussels with spicy tomato foam, Idiazabal cheese croquettes, smoked cutlet niguiri, crab salad, begihaundi and the menu goes on and on and there is no way you can order something that won't leave you totally petrified, amazed and enchanted.
Avenida Madariaga, 9
Let's go back to Deusto, specifically to the Taberna de Deusto, the Deustoarrak. The decoration and composition of the place is great, as well as having one of the best atmospheres in all of Bilbao.
It has a fantastic location, in fact, you will find few places with better value for money. The flavour of its dishes will captivate you, don't forget to order the cod, and the service is another of its strong points. The question is, does it have any weak points?
Plaza Nueva, 2
Let's go for pintxos and wine in an emblematic place, one of the most historic places in Bilbao: Plaza Nueva. The location of this place is practically unbeatable. But they are not only known for where they are, the customer service is exquisite and thanks to that and their brilliant traditional cuisine, they have become a reference in the Villa. You will be able to try hot and cold pintxos, local meats, local cheeses, local wine and a long etcetera of references to Basque gastronomy. Excellent location and food.
