The best restaurants Bilbao

With its air of an old-fashioned fishmonger's - from the tiled floor to the refrigerated display cases lining up trays of shrimps and other ultra-fresh prawns - the Perita Bar is a small, stylish address that will delight lovers of marine flavours. Specializing in shrimp, the bar's relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by lively music and a selection of wines perfectly matched to the dishes on offer. It's a different kind of place, a place where good spirits sparkle and where it's a pleasure to linger at the end of the day/evening and at weekends.

" We offer the finest Cantabrian anchovies from over 20 canneries in Bermeo, Ondarroa, Markina, Mundaka, Getaria, Zumaia, Santoña, Castro and Laredo " You've come to the temple of anchovies! The beautifully decorated tavern is located on the beautiful Plaza Nueva and offers anchovies in every conceivable form: canned, portioned, in sandwiches, pintxos... Ultra-fresh products lovingly prepared by hand every day. A reference in Bilbao.

New fashionable table worn by the famous Basque chef Martín Berasategui (three times starred in his eponymous restaurant). Located on the first floor of the Tayko Hotel, the restaurant has a chic-industrial decor, with brick walls and large black windows overlooking the ría. On the menu, some classics from the Lasarte parent company, and seasonal creations dictated by market produce. Caramelised millefeuille with foie gras and smoked eel, warm oyster with apple and cucumber-txakoli granita . Divine!

A classic in the Plaza Nueva! Since 1973, Bar Charly has been serving classic pintxos to a clientele of loyal customers and passing visitors. Its large terrace is a popular meeting place to drink a zurrito (small beer) with friends and share some raciones, especially the typical rabas that Bilbao's inhabitants love, and which Bar Charly won the competition for the best rabas in Casco Viejo in 2021. These small fried squids are eaten as an appetizer on Sundays around noon: a tradition worth trying!

In the heart of Bilbao La Viejo, an authentic address that showcases Galician cuisine. For despite the hipster revolution that has taken hold of the neighbourhood, this vermutería has continued to offer the same classics for more than 40 years. Galician-style octopus, served as a pintxo or ración, is the star of the place! But the cecina or lacón croquettes are also worth the detour. They are accompanied by a small glass of vermouth, a speciality of the place!

"Taste is revealed in simplicity". That's how we might sum up the cuisine of two Basque chefs, Adrian Leonelli and Pablo Valdearcos, behind this small restaurant in the center of Bilbao. Nestled on a bend in the Nervion, the restaurant's sober interior is not lacking in thoughtful decorative details. But it's above all to taste a cuisine that's straightforward, well-balanced and that highlights the specificity and quality of each product that people come here. Locals and visitors alike flock here, especially for the very affordable tasting menu. Good wine list.

It's in the Casco Viejo district that we find this well-known address for Bilbao locals: Los Fueros, a Basque institution. Chef Paul brings a modern touch to his traditional heartfelt cuisine. On the menu of this two-level tavern with terrace are classic Basque specialties such as shrimp a la plancha, fish and seafood soup, lamb chop with mushrooms and pork chuleta ! Save room for dessert, they're all amazing! A typical address to try!