Must see restaurants in Bilbao

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The 1849-built Victor Montes attracts numerous luminaries but locals also appreciate its exquisite gilding, marble and frescoes, 1000-strong wine list and…

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With old-fashioned wood-panelled walls and framed postcards written by adoring fans over the years, La Viña del Ensanche maintains a reputation as one of…

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Offering unexpected sophistication and fine dining in an otherwise fairly down-at-the-heels neighbourhood, this riverside restaurant has some critics…

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Equal parts cafe, bakery, microbrewery and dining destination, this postindustrial, multiroom space has a stunning line-up of daily dishes, from vegan…

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Black-truffle and cod soup with squid-ink ice cream; plankton ravioli with apple-pepper gel; smoked hake cheeks with turmeric and watermelon jelly; spiced…

The Museo Guggenheim Bilbao’s Michelin-starred, modernist, white and ultraminimalist restaurant is under the direction of chef Josean Alija (a disciple of…

Inside Bilbao's Azkuna Zentroa (Alhóndiga) cultural centre, Yandiola features modern Basque and Spanish fare that is as highly touted as the strikingly…

With a solid reputation among locals for good-value meals that don't sacrifice quality, this is a highly recommended place for a slice of real Bilbao…

Everyone's favourite pintxos spot on restaurant-lined Ledesma more than lives up to the hype with phenomenal pintxos and small plates made from high…

One of Bilbao's best pintxos bars, El Globo packs a fabulous range of creative small bites, including favourites such as txangurro gratinado (spider crab)…

On a mostly pedestrian lane near the bridge to the old town, La Camelia serves up excellent vegan fare, including hijiki salad, quinoa tabbouleh, tofu or…

Colombo has real style with its big booths, vintage fixtures, oversized windows and upbeat grooves playing overhead. The food is no afterthought, however,…

This celebrated three-Michelin-stared restaurant offers a superb setting – a contemporary steel-and-glass structure perched on a hillside 9km outside…

Located on the 3rd floor of the Euskalduna Palace concert venue, Etxanobe is one of Bilbao's top restaurants. Its various tasting menus showcase…

One of the best pintxo bars in the Casco Viejo, this popular place serves creative and outstandingly good bites, including tender mini steak burgers,…

Going strong since 1959, Rio-Oja retains a rock-solid reputation for its traditional Basque dishes. Its cazuelitas (stews served in the clay ramekins in…

Relaxed Baster serves a range of outstanding pintxos, including octopus skewers with potato, mini-quiches, house-made croquettes and delectable jamón (ham…

Set over two levels, with a beautifully tiled ground floor dining room and a more contemporary space above, this welcoming restaurant excels at staples…

A creaky old place full of ancient furnishings, Claudio has scarcely changed since it opened in 1948. As you'll guess from the name and the hams hanging…

Near the San Antonio bridge, this easy-going spot draws mostly locals who come for hearty plates of roast chicken, salads topped with seafood or roast…