Wondering where to find the best places to eat in Bilbao? If you’re visiting the Basque Country, Bilbao has to be high on your gastronomic bucket list. Vibrant and constantly surprising, the Bilbao culinary scene spans everything from traditional Basque pintxo bars everywhere you turn to an incredible concentration of revered Michelin-starred restaurants. But where do you start? Luckily for you, inspirational Basque chef and Basco founder Javier De La Hormaza has browsed the extensive menu of eateries, cherry-picked five of his absolute favourites, in no particular order, and reveals why they make the list.
Zapirain
The first of Javier’s best places to eat in Bilbao is Zapirain, which originally opened over fifty years ago in the fishing village of Lekeitio, between Bilbao and San Sebastián. The cuisine is authentic and traditional, where high-quality local produce and, in particular, fish and seafood, are the stars of the show. The menu spans from “Zapirain” fish soup and house-made foie gras to Norwegian lobsters, prime rib and homemade apple tarts. Try their signature dishes of “Besugo” royal sea bream or “Rodaballo” turbot. Both are expertly cooked in the Basque style and the restaurant itself is spacious, relaxed and refreshingly unpretentious. Zapirain is a must for lovers of traditional Basque cuisine of the highest standards.
Find Zapirain at Juan Ajuriaguerra Kalea, 22, 48009 Bilbao.
Amaren
Love your meat? Amaren is not only listed at No. 31 in the World’s Best Steak Restaurants, but it is also most definitely one of the best places to eat in Bilbao. This beautiful, spacious restaurant is in the beating heart of Bilbao and is famed for its superb certified ox oxen from its own cattle ranch just a few kilometres from Bilbao. The choice and quality of Iberian Peninsula steak is breathtaking. Select from different ages, breeds and origins of old cow and ox steaks, which are artfully flame-grilled with true reverence and utmost respect to the animals that bore them. Morucha, Barrendo and Charolés breeds are their particular favourites. Amaren is a temple of authentic txuleton cuisine. The comprehensive wine list is equally impressive and the attentive service of the experienced and knowledgeable staff is another reason to make a reservation… if you can get one.
Amaren can be found at Diputazio Kalea, 6, 48009 Bilbao.
Los Fueros
Some of the best places to eat in Bilbao are also the most historic. Los Fueros is one of the oldest “botxeros” and has been serving the people of Bilbao since 1878. It holds a special place in Javier’s heart because it is where his grandfather used to hang out, and Javier has also eaten there several times with his father. Back then, the speciality was prawns plancha, and it retains its legendary status today. Los Fueros is a Michelin-recommended restaurant that showcases great value and quality across several different enticing menus. It has a beautiful bistro-style interior and not one but two enticing tasting menus – “Gourmand” and “De Bilbao de toda la vida”. Return a second time to ensure you try both.
Los Fueros is located at Foru Kalea, 6, 48005 Bilbao
La Despensa del Etxanobe
If you want casual traditional Basque cuisine with quality seasonal produce at the centre, La Despensa del Etxanobe is one of the best places to eat in Bilbao. After 18 years in the Euskalduna Palace, The Etxanobe moved to The Ensanche of Bilbao. Chef and owner Fernando Canales has various restaurants in the city and has been at the helm of quality gastronomy in Bilbao for decades. Le Despensa offers a modern, fun, comfortable and surprising environment to enjoy authentic Bilbao dishes, including kokotxas, pil pil cod, fried hake, that great fish soup or our famous anchovy lasagna. All delicious and served with panache in an almost New York-style aesthetic.
La Despensa del Etxanobe is situated at Juan Ajuriaguerra Kalea, 8, 48009, Bilbao
Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao
Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim, designed by Frank Gehry, isn’t just home to some of the best modern and contemporary art, it also hosts one of the best places to eat in Bilbao. Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao is a sleek, minimalist Michelin 1-star restaurant that showcases simplicity with the fabulous ingredients from local vegetable gardens, the sea and farms of the surrounding area. “Muina” – Basque for core, heart or essence – is the soul of his chef Josean Alija’s kitchen, who bases his cutting-edge Biscayan gastronomy on four pillars: aroma, beauty, texture and flavour. The menus change with the seasons, but whenever you go, Javier highly recommends the tasting menu, which is amazing value for money.
Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao is at Av. Abandoibarra, 2, 48001, Bilbao
