The following list of restaurants in Bilbao will help you get to know Basque gastronomy. Meanwhile, you also get to see and experience this cosmopolitan city, one of the most important tourism hubs in the world today, which has gradually left behind its industrial and gray past.

With exquisite dishes such as cod in pil-pil sauce, which is one of the best-known dishes of Basque gastronomy; the cocochas de merluza al pil-pil, which is the part of the fish cooked with sauce; Bilbao-style elvers, which are elvers cooked with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and chili pepper and served in a clay pot or marmitako, which is a typical fisherman’s stew made with bluefish, potatoes, peppers, onion and tomato, Basque gastronomy is one of the best in the world that we assure you, will leave you with unforgettable memories along with your visits to the city. 

Not to mention the possibility to try some of the world’s best pintxos, an experience you will never forget once you leave Bilbao.

We have compiled this list of the best restaurants in Bilbao, considering their quality-price ratio while considering that different prices are included so that the list can serve travelers of all budgets. 

However, as you might imagine, not all of them are included, but we believe they are all the ones that should be.

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10 Best Restaurants Near Bilbao To Taste Local Cuisine

1. Ad Hoc Nutcracker

Known for being one of the most recommended restaurants in Bilbao, ad hoc Cascanueces is a safe bet if you want to enjoy a quality lunch or dinner with unbeatable service.

This restaurant is a sure hit with a menu that highlights quality products and avant-garde cuisine without losing a touch of tradition.

We highly recommend the octopus, the foie bonbons, the artichokes from Tudela, and the mellow rice, which will leave you speechless.

Even though the price is higher than the other restaurants in Bilbao that we include in the list, we believe the value for money is unbeatable, so it’s a good option.

The price for starters is 20-25 euros, the mains 30 euros, and desserts 15 euros.

Address: Heros Kalea, 21 Bajo

Schedule: Every day from 13:30h to 15:30h and from 20:30h to 23:30h / Tuesday only from 13:30h to 15:30h.

2. La Gavilla

This restaurant in Bilbao is another of the great recommendations we can make if you want to enjoy an unforgettable lunch or dinner.

We recommend that you try The Wagyu Jerky, steak tartar, squid, oxtail, spicy potato omelet, and torrijas, along with a menu that highlights top-quality products and cuisine.

It is one of the most recommended places to eat in Bilbao, so it is essential to book if you want to find a table, especially in the upstairs dining room that only has 4 tables.

The price of the dishes is between 15 and 20 euros, more or less, depending on what you order.

Address: Colón de Larreategui 32

Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 11h to 23h, Friday from 11h to 00h, Saturday from 12h to 00h, and Sunday from 12:30h to 18h // Monday and Tuesday closed.

3. NIDOBILBAO

Eating very well and having a good time at a restaurant is synonymous with Bilbao. Therefore NIDOBILBAO would not be missing, as many consider it the best restaurant in Bilbao.

Even though the price of this restaurant is slightly higher than other places in the city, the quality, cuisine, service, and treatment are all the better than that price if we consider the value for money.

I highly recommend the burrata with truffle, cod, octopus, steak, and scrambled eggs, and of course, ask the staff for recommendations based on your preferences.

The prices of the starters are about 12-15 euros, the main courses about 20-24 euros and desserts 7-10 euros.

Address: Calle Barroeta Aldamar, 3

Opening hours: Every day from 13h to 16h and from 20h to 23h.

4. Cafeteria Pentxo Restaurant

Located in the heart of Bilbao’s Casco Viejo and with a long tradition, this is another of the most recommended restaurants in Bilbao if you want to stop for lunch or dinner while visiting the city.

In the bar, you will find a wide assortment of pinchos for all tastes. They are also known for their omelets, which are among the best in the city. Many come to taste them for breakfast.

They also have a midday menu, which they only serve on weekdays for 15.50 euros, including a variety of starters, main courses, and desserts.

Remember that if you do not want to be left without a table, taking into account that it is one of the busiest restaurants to eat in Bilbao, it is important to make a reservation.

Address: c/ Belosticalle 20

Opening hours: Every day from 07h to 21h

5. La Despensa del Etxanobe

Included in the Michelin Guide 2020, La Despensa del Etxanobe, could not be missing in this list of the best restaurants to eat in Bilbao.

Featuring the finest local products, respect for them, and pure attention to the cooking process, we assure you that lunch or dinner here will be a truly memorable gastronomic experience.

Even though all the dishes are exquisite, we recommend you let yourself be carried away by the staff’s recommendations and, if you like them, order the seafood and the orange with nitrogen for dessert.

Starters cost about 20-30 euros, main courses 28-35 euros, and reservations are highly recommended.

Address: Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra, 8

Hours: Every day from 13h to 15:30h and from 19:45h to 22:30h

6. Pitxintxu

This is another of the most recommended restaurants in Bilbao. The restaurant offers a range of delicious skewers and a menu served during the week and weekends, both with excellent value for money.

The price of the express menu is 18 euros and the usual menu 24 euros and includes several starters, main course, and dessert.

Address: Barroeta Aldamar 7

Opening hours: Every day from 08h to 18h

7. El Globo

A Michelin-listed restaurant in Bilbao, this restaurant is ideal for enjoying a special lunch or dinner. The quality of the product, exemplary service, and exquisite cuisine is apparent in every pintxo found at the bar with its elaboration.

Although each one is special, we highly recommend crab gratin, a house specialty, the black pudding, goat cheese with peppers, ham, and parmesan, and anchovy with tartar sauce.

The price of the pintos is between 2 and 4 euros, more or less, depending on which one you choose.

Address: Calle Alamo del Marques 5

Hours: Every day from 15h to 21:30h

8. La Viña del Ensanche

Having been engraved with tradition since 1927 and even retaining the furniture of yesteryear, this restaurant in Bilbao is sure to please. Good food, good service, and an array of flavors are just some of the things you will enjoy here.

The prices of the dishes range between 12 and 20 euros, depending on your choice. They also offer an extensive pintxos menu, each one better, which we also recommend you taste.

Address: Calle Diputacion, 10, 48008 Bilbao, Spain.

Opening hours: Every day from 08:30h to 23h

9. Agape Restaurant

Located in the city’s heart, this is one of Bilbao’s cheapest and most recommended restaurants. This restaurant serves a menu for 13.90 euros in an environment where the value for money is unbeatable, making it a great place to visit for lunch or dinner. You don’t want to spend too much, but still want to enjoy the typical cuisine.

Address: C/ Hernani 13

Opening hours: Every day from 13h to 16h and from 21h to 23:30h from Thursday to Saturday.

10. Gure Toki

Gure Toki, known as the best pintxo restaurant in Bilbao, is a must-see in the city. Its bar is a must-see, filled with all kinds of flavors and products made with love and a modern touch, but without sacrificing tradition.

Highly recommended are the tortilla pinchos, octopus, Gildas, and cheeks. In addition to the pintxos, they have an extensive menu of tapas and rations, which perfectly beat the previous ones.

The price of the pintxos is more or less 3-4 euros, depending on the one you choose.

Address: Plaza Nueva, 12

Opening hours: Every day from 12h to 00h