Let's put ourselves in context. You've come to spend a weekend in Bilbao, with a thousand plans in mind, such as visiting the best museums and art galleries in the city.
OK, but you're not coming alone. You're coming with your whole family, so you have to think about family plans in Bilbao. And that doesn't just include the scheduled visit to the Guggenheim Museum for children.
You have to think of places where you can try the most traditional dishes of Basque gastronomy, but accompanied by children who are eager to eat but also to play. How are you going to do it?
We're going to give you a hand and take you on a route in Bilbao where you'll discover the best restaurants and bars to eat with the whole family. Are you up for it?
Best Family Restaurants in Bilbao
Restaurante Aura
Calle de la Torre, 7
Why Aura? If you take a look at their website you will see that they do not have large play areas for children. But the secret is not the area dedicated to children, the secret is how much children will enjoy their food.
The fusion of different gastronomies with the love for the well done, make their cuisine a luxury. The little ones will eat healthily and enjoy the presentation of the dishes.
In addition, the atmosphere is warm and very welcoming. Although their desserts are spectacular, and it is less than a minute's walk from the Cathedral of Santiago, what we should highlight the most is the service and the closeness of those who work there.
Kalí Órexi by Labocatorio
Calle Fernández Del Campo, 31
Just over five minutes' walk from the impressive Campos Eliseos Antzokia Theatre, one of the city's little gems and a must on your route around Bilbao's main monuments, you'll find your favourite Greek.
This small Greek tavern will transport you to Greece with a cosy atmosphere and a very neat decoration. But surely you haven't come here just for the atmosphere, and you'll want to know what the food is like. Once you've tried it, you'll want to come back for more.
Its carefully prepared Greek cuisine will open up a whole new world of flavours for you; from its feta salad to its lamb kebabs in pita bread, and even its Tzatziki sauce. And above all, that is the reason to come with the whole family; its menu and variety.
You'll get everyone in the family to try new dishes without missing out on what they're used to eating. The little ones will enjoy healthy food that is completely new to their palate. Discover a new world of flavour.
Restaurante Enol
Calle Licenciado Poza, 73
In the San Mamés stadium area, a restaurant awaits you that will bring the best of the sea to the table.
Its speciality in fish and seafood will delight fans of dishes such as spider crab txangurro, octopus, clams or hake and cod cocochas.
One of their strong points is their menus. They have menus that mix the best of the sea, making the client's work and removing the revision of the menu from top to bottom. Here everything comes together, you can try a bit of everything and they are designed for the whole family; from the youngest to the most demanding seafood lovers.
Satisfying everyone is no easy task, and if we add to that skill its great location, excellent cuisine and good service, we have as a result a fantastic family restaurant.
Best Family Restaurants around Bilbao
These restaurants are not located in the heart of Bilbao, but the little time you will spend on the journey will be well worth it. The menu and the quality of the dishes, together with the ample space, will be the common characteristics for a great family day out.
Restaurante Asador Txakoli Simón
Cam. de San Roque Bidea, 89
Just over fifteen minutes' walk from the Artxanda viewpoint, where you can enjoy the best views of the city of Bilbao, you will find one of the best steakhouses in the city.
The cuisine focuses on local Basque gastronomy, with the chuletón (steak) being the star dish. You can choose the size of the piece and its flavour is spectacular. Their menu also has reserved dishes for the youngest members of the family.
Asador Mendipe
Campa de San Justo, 13
We radically change position, from the north to the south of the town. Here in the south we find the Asador Mendipe, following the trail of the wonderful smell of grilled meat.
At the foot of the Pagasarri mountain, we arrive attracted by a varied menu, but without forgetting that meat is its speciality, with the txuletón being the absolute king. Don't be fooled by the surroundings, or the cosy place built on the foundations of an old farmhouse, you are only five minutes away from Bilbao by car.
The place is fantastic, with swings and perfect places for the little ones to play before and after lunch. It is one of our favourite places because of all the features it has.
Cervecera Cobetas
Kobeta Mendia, 40
One of the best views of Bilbao awaits you at Cervecera Cobetas. Designed to be enjoyed mainly outdoors, where the large green areas will make your child or children give free rein to their imagination.
Its setting is beautiful, and almost gives the impression that it has been built exclusively with the children of the house in mind. Plenty of space to play, adapted dishes and play areas designed for them.
Portions and meats are the stars of the menu. You'll have to go to believe that everything you'll find in this brewery is good and of high quality.
Eneperi
Barrio San Pelayo, 80. Bakio
We close our list with one of the most visited places by fans of the series Game of Thrones. If you have ever wanted to visit Rocadragon, now is the time.
You can have lunch with Dragonstone at your feet. Literally. And if you're not a fan of the series, you'll fall in love with the views and the coastal setting. It's like nothing you've ever seen before, there's no doubt about it.
The place is very cosy, with stone interiors, and an exterior facing San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Enjoy excellent food with your family, with a very complete menu and a varied offer. A place to visit without any doubt.
Where to sleep in Bilbao
With all that you've eaten surrounded by your whole family, who is going to leave Bilbao now? You still have a lot to see and discover in the city and you need a place where you can rest on a par with the restaurants you have visited.
We have the perfect solution for you and your family; Latroupe La Granja. The best hostel in Bilbao is located in the centre of the city with facilities designed for everyone, especially for groups and families. Book a room for everyone and spend a fantastic night together.
In addition, you have complete common areas, activities organised by the hostel and the best atmosphere in the city of Bilbao to spend a fun and lively afternoon and evening.