The 49 best bars and drinks in Bilbao

Original thought it’s a total tourist trap similar to Cafe de Flore in Paris, but still went for it just because of the interior. We were amazingly surprised by the service and food quality. We had the weekend special menu and didn’t need to wait for a table at all, the restaurant started getting busier from 2pm on, so if you want to skip the queue, come early. We enjoyed the whole experience very much. There are two halls of the restaurant, we ate at the restaurant side with proper seating, if you are up for bites, the other hall offers pintxos and assume the price is even more friendly. Same good vibe and admirable interior. It is located beside a very cute park as well. Highly recommend.

The ambiance of this place is what I did it for. Very nicely done, Basque style And I mint thee with french toast and ice cream. Many ppl were ordering the lamb skewers with bread

👍🏽👍🏽 Practically perfect in every way. The dining room is stunning, pre fixe lunch may be the best deal in Spain (€21.50 for 3 LARGE courses + unlimited drinks, including 🍷wine or 🍺beer), and the service is attentive (+ speedy if you need it to be). The front room is standing only to order small bites or drinks (it’s crowded at lunch time). Go to the dining room for the pre fixe menu. Good for singles or groups up to six without reservation for lunch (you may have to wait, but it’s well worth it!) ✅🍆Vegetarian options on pre fixe too. ✅♿️ fully wheelchair accessible entrance, dining, and bathroom. Good lighting. Not too loud. 🍅 🐟 🍰 Gazpacho was delish, as was the fish & the pork knuckle (hearty portions too!), but the highlight was dessert. The arroz con leche was the smoothest I’ve ever tasted (as we live in Mexico, birthplace of the rice pudding!) and the red berry tart was pillowy marscapone cheese topped with fresh jam—what’s not to love! I want to return to try the bruled pineapple carpaccio 🍍😋. The pre fixe menu includes the drink of your choice and that drink is unlimited (I don’t believe you can switch drinks, so choose wisely). 🍷 Rioja wine was inoffensive and paired well with the meal — waiter left me the entire bottle and I had 3 glasses, all included in the €21.50 pre fixe lunch. My wife got the beer, which was superb—so refreshing! They also offer a white wine and bottled water. Pro Tip: 🍰For pre fixe lunch menu, desserts are large enough to share and you’ll want to try them all, so if you’re here with a group, order one of each and everyone else can swap dessert for an espresso at the same price ☕️ Note to Management: your staff is superb. Helpful, polite, and speedy. Thank you 👏🏽👏🏽

Café Iruña in Bilbao impresses with its beautiful vintage atmosphere – a place full of history and charm, perfect for a relaxing break while soaking up the city’s character. The pintxos are delicious, freshly prepared, and varied. The absolute highlight: the Pincho Moruno, a tender lamb skewer, perfectly seasoned and grilled – a must-try!

This place is an absolute treat for anyone who loves pinchos. The atmosphere is welcoming. Each pincho is beautifully crafted, with creative flavor combinations that still stay true to Basque traditions.

The 48€ menu is a discovery of Basque Country food, vegetables, fish, meat and dessert A bit crowded but a typical ambiance there Reservation is recommended

My partner ate the pintxos here and said it was spectacular. I didn’t have any as they didn’t have any gluten free options. Coffee was amazing though and the interior is super beautiful.

A bit of a disappointment as all 3 of the pintxos I had were pretty unremarkable. The fried baby squid was the best but, still, nothing special. The broiled bacalao pintxos was creamy and pretty tasteless. Service was fine, but there's no inside seating and the place is just not pleasant in general (the terrace does seem nice).

This is a well-known local tapas bar, and you can tell it's very popular — even on Monday afternoon it was quite busy. I ordered two pintxos, but since I was sitting in the outdoor area, I had to order a main dish as well. I chose the grilled prawns with salt and a glass of Txakoli. The food was pretty good, about average for the area, but the prices were a bit higher compared to other tapas bars I've been to.

Good pintxos bar with seating options outside and a few inside. The pintxos were quite good, albeit a little more on the pricy side. Overall a good experience!

Recommended by a local who lives close to this place I decided to try it. If you want to sit in their small patio you have to order from the menu which is mainly full sized meals. I was told that if I wanted Pintxos or drinks I have to order at the bar. I sat down and ordered the set menu. Starter is three Pintxos followed by very well cooked tuna (no fishy smell or taste at all) and Foie gras and to finish a chocolate lava cake for desert. The server was very friendly and helpful.

Good pintxos, they do rely on cream/béchamel quite a bit. When we went it was completely packed , lots of people passing by and bumping into you, which it’s not my favorite way to enjoy a meal and subtracted from the experience a bit. But if you don’t mind that , this will probably be one of your favorite places in Bilbao.

We got the pintxos menu, and extra zamburiña and hueleva prawn portions. Food was ok but nothing was great and none really stood out, food wasn’t as well balanced as we liked.

They offer a variety of pintxos with inventive flavor combinations. I highly recommend the vaca madura con trufa and chipirón gratinado. There is plenty of room for eating inside the restaurant; you can choose to stand at the bar or eat at bistro tables.

The Basque cheesecake and “cheese soup” were spectacular, though the rest disappointed. Make sure to visit during lunch or dinner hours, as the kitchen closes during the afternoons. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The third best cheesecake of my life after La Viña in San Sebastián and JonCake in Barcelona. Cheesy, creamy, sweet, with a caramelized sugar top and crumbles on the side. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The “cheese soup” was recommended to me by the manager as their house speciality. It did not disappoint; one of the best pintxos I tasted during one week in Basque Country. ⭐️ I love salty food but the salmon empanada was so salty I couldn’t finish it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The duck empanada was tasty and well balanced, even though the duck was a bit dry. ⭐️ The soft shell crab tempura was also inedible because it was way, way too salty. Disappointing because soft shell crab is something I always order when it’s on a menu. ⭐️⭐️ The calamari sandwich looked better than it tasted.

Great pintxos, a must try when in Bilbao! Located at very historic Plaza Nueva. Their homestyle burger was one of the best we had!

Had lunchtime pinxtos here while sitting on the lovely terrace. Great selection and all the ones we tried were delicious. My favourite was the jamon, cheese, potato and egg, a little work of art! Nice selection of wines, I tried the godello and was a great choice. We also had the basque cheesecake, it was fantastic.

Very nice establishment. Good food and drink at reasonable prices. Mainly ordered pintxos and tapas. Nice staff, not rushed. We had a table inside, didn’t realize there was outside seating. Worth a visit either way.

Second review: Wow! We went back in the evening, curious to see, if there were different pintxos. And boy, oh boy, we were not disappointed! The goat cheese one, the ham and mushroom one and the cheeseburger halves were amazing! Super friendly service as well. 5/5! First review: Good pintxos that are not served at 10am. You should get here a little later. One pincho was spectacular, one good and one alright. 4/5

The food was soooo good! I had the cheese food and some other fish based pintxos and they were amazing. The cheesecake was one of the best I've had in Bilbao, so creamy. Definitely recommend

The soft shell crab is an absolute must-try! If it’s not on display, ask when it’ll be served - we were told 8 p.m. when we visited. The Basque cheesecake was also incredible and not to be missed.

There are places that don’t chase trends, because they are the standard. This spot in the plaza? Pure class. No gimmicks, no fusion nonsense. Just time honored elegance: blue tiled walls that feel like they’ve seen a thousand slow afternoons, and pintxos that haven’t changed in years because they don’t need to. You sit outside with a cold beer or a glass of wine, the weight of the day slipping off your shoulders, watching the world move past in no particular hurry. This place isn’t loud about its greatness. It just is. And in a world obsessed with reinvention, that kind of quiet confidence is a beautiful thing.

Happy to have stumbled upon this gem. The pinxos and the atmosphere is filled with authentic charm. The staff made the whole experience unforgettable, they were playful with their regulars and smiling to the travellers. Recommend for a quick bite and authentic Basquan experience

With a local vibe and food that doesn’t look too fancy this is a great place for a quick bite and drink. The prawn and clam pinto didn’t disappoint although it wasn’t anything to write home about. The jamon and mushroom pinto was basic but unpretentiously tasty.

Lived the pinxtos here, absolutely delicious and fresh, order at the bar, and they bring it to the table. Can get busy. Loved the interior. Blue and looks like an institution

Funny story, came here and asked for a flat white (word of advice: don’t do it), and got a glass of wine. Nobody really speaks English here, but pintxos were good, and if you want a coffee ask for a coffee or a coffee with milk. Also really enjoyed their tortilla though not pictured.

Had one fabulous beef check pinxto here and haunted we didn’t get more! Cool vibe, tasty drinks.

A real disappointment, stale bread slices at pintxos, even no olive oil. One of the worst in the town in terms of taste.

Hi, I have been there multiples during the month and half I have been in Bilbao. It's true that sometimes the waiters looks very overworked and sometimes overwhelmed but I never had a bad service from them. When they were understanding what I was saying. They use a Spanish menu to see what I wanted. They have always been very nice and as thoughtful as they could. For me it was my favorite restaurant so far in Bilbao and I would love to thanks the owner and the staff for the great service and food. Please note that I rarely give 5 stars. I'm just sad that the restaurant closed for renovation for the rest of the summer. One suggestion if anyone from the restaurant do see my comment. Please add an easy way to book table. I know there's always a lot of people and sometimes it's very hard to get a table there.

Absolutely loved this place. For dinner or for a quick tapa and drink. We went here twice, once on our first night and again on our last night in Bilbao. We went the second time because on our first night, we sat down and ordered from the menu. While we were eating and drinking and people watching, we noticed that everyone seemed to be getting a couple of different tapas that were not on the sit down menu (there is a big screen behind the bar with the tapa menu - which you can order when seated, no problem). The meals were not expensive, bottles of wine are totally reasonable. Good vermouth and their house made sweet wine (if that is your thing with dessert) was also excellent. The prices were the same at the bar or seated, so you can do what you want. To get a table, especially if it is busy, you need to ask the waiter who you will see running around busily. On our first night we saw people try to swoop in and take a table right when it opened up - typical bar rules - but the waiter would wave them off or ask them to get up. He had a running list of who was waiting for a table in his head (along with everyone's food and drink orders - I honestly don't know how they do it). When we came in our last night at a very not busy time - 5:30pm ish - we saw people just grab tables and the waiter didn't mind, so I think that must be just when it is busy, so it doesn't turn into a free-for-all in there. I highly recommend from the tapas menu: the foie with egg and mushroom, the beef cheeks, their fish and chips with aioli. And from the sit down menu (keep in mind, everything we tried was good): the octopus, the croquettes with aioli, their cheesecake. Ask for a recommendation for a bottle of wine if that is your thing - the one our waiter recommended was glorious.

An absolute treat for our wedding anniversary, we had the tasting menu and a delicious local red wine, followed by coffee and orujo. The restaurant is beautiful inside. We felt we were exclusive guests in a wine cave, being served delicious and tasty food, every course a new flavour and sensation. The service was friendly, welcoming, professional and unrushed. The young staff are well trained and confident, so we felt relaxed and cared for. We would go again in a heart beat and totally recommend for anyone wanting a romantic place to propose or celebrate their wedding anniversary. Thank you for making our day extra special.

Set in a casual square teaming with people enjoying drinks under the sun, the vibe was casual. The food however was anything but. The foie gras, on a bed of potato puree and nestled between soft mushrooms and a runny egg was the perfect mix of mouthwatering goodness that needed to be swept clean with crusty bread. The asparagus in tempura batter was crispy and tasty as expected. However the fired artichokes in almond creamy proved to be a creamy and salty bridge too far as it was a little too overpowering after a while. But by service was fast and efficient and we did enjoy the food and vibes.

Great place for a nice dinner. Tried the tasting menu and recommend it. You get a good selection of different types of basq food. You will leave full and happy!

Restaurant was recently renovated- see pictures. Very Taste food. Try the asparagus and Slow cooked park in green egg

The Best meal we had in our one month trip to Spain and France so far. We stopped there as we were hungry for lunch and they had space for 2 for one hour. We took the 6 course a degustation menú and averything was absolutely tasty and delicious from start to dessert. Can’t believe we ate all this in an hour, but everything was so good. And the service was top notch. Would love to live in Bilbao just to eat at La Viña del Ensanche

Great venue. Quite a small place. We went to the excellent Im-Pulse Pink Floyd Tribute concert, 8th June 24. Price of drinks, by Bilbao standards, was quite high. Captive audience. They did not serve wine. Only bottled beer and soft drinks.

One of the best concert halls in Bilbao, perfect for a live show. Nice menu during the day for lunch and a coffee, a cultural Basque association is backing this place. Also a milestone in the nightlife route. Sometimes you have to pay an entrance fees (Saturday nights if I'm not mistaken) but there's plenty of space inside. Music style varies a lot (Basque, rock and heavy and sometimes more popular folk and dance music) so you need to be open for different settings. All in all it's a must-go in Bilbao for either music, lunch or a drink.

Cool venue im Bilbao for a concert!

We went 2 times to this spot. Concert hall: 5 stars!! Great, quaint, cozy place to watch live music. Friendly bar staff. Lunch spot: not so impressed. Our appetizer was outstanding. The main meal, eh...actually the worst I had whilst traveling for a month in Spain. That's not to say it wasnt edible...just there are MUCH better places to eat at.

Saw a great reggae gig here and the crowd were amazing!

Best club I’ve been to in Bilbao :) Good mix of basque and international music! Unfortunately there’s broken glass everywhere on the floor.

Worst club I’ve ever been Music sucked 1st Half of the night was bad, filled with rock music which you couldn’t even dance. The 2nd half was even worse Drinks were nice

Came here for Pintxos after our little siesta. Hit the spot as we weren’t super hungry. Staff is friendly and helpful. It wasn’t super busy so we were able to grab seats at the bar. Dining area outside and inside is reservation only. They have Pintxos pairing which is great. Tried my for Txakoli, local dry white wine. It’s not what I prefer I terms of flavor profile but I love trying the local drinks. Update: Decided to make a reservation for their sit down dinner. Soooo glad that we did. We split the local burrata salad. It’s more burrata than leafy green. Who knew that something so simple could be so delicious? Next course was the brothy rice with squid and octopus. For our mains we had the cod and the monkfish. While both were good, I have to say that the monkfish was way more flavorful than the cod. Finally. We had the caramelized cream and custard for dessert. You had to roll us out of that place we were so full.

We arrived without a reservation but after a short wait they were able to give us an outside table. Lovely selection of wines by the glass. We were looking for a sit down meal as opposed to pintxos and it didn't disappoint. Chistora and croquette to start, both large portions and tasty. We shared the t-bone steak for mains. A beautiful piece of meat cooked rare and served with a hot plate so you can adjust the cooking to your liking. Staff were friendly and professional. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit and so glad we happened upon here.

We went twice to this place: one time for dinner, one time for pintxo. Both experiences were great. Dinner: we were seated upstairs where there is a beautiful dining room. Everything was delicious. Special mention to the croquettes, the assortment of chorizos. Pintxo: great atmosphere by sitting at the bar. The quality of the food was great.

My first ever Pintxos experience and I absolutely loved it! The set up, the atmosphere and the food offering was great. Unfortunately as I don't eat pork, I couldn't try everything, but what I was able to eat was an experience I'd return for. Definitely worth the trip and worth giving it a shot!

Enjoyed the food. We had eaten pintxo’s here the night before and decided to go for the fancy sit down meal. It was excellent. Highly recommend both the sit down meal or stopping in for the Pintxos. Wine list is also great.

Delicious food, they somehow made a simple side salad taste showstopping! All around fantastic meal. Beautiful food. Only downside is you do experience quite a lot of people disturbing you and asking you for money if you sit outside, which is no fault of the restaurant of course.

What a very nice place. You might think it's a touristic restaurant, but in al fairness it still keeps the Basque/Spanish atmosphere with the excellent quality of the original dishes, the wine list and the authentic ambiance of the interior. We were more than pleasently surprised. Enjoyed a cod dish pil e pil, sirloin 35 days matured and an amazing tuna salad. The brandy's were served like in the good old days, heated by a glaas with hot water underneath. Special thanks for the excellent, attentive service of our waitress. Changing the (wrongly prepared?)margerita cocktail and a quick handover of a napkin for some small staines of Biscaya sauce on a white polo.

This is a superb place! Very interesting design. The food was delectable and nicely skillfully presented. Very tasty! My daughter enjoyed the lasagna usually it is hard to please her

We had a great apertivo, dinner, and dessert at this restaurant during our short stay in Bilbao. While the menu del dia we came for was not available for dinner, we enjoyed the falafel, seasonal tempura veggies, pulled pork sandwich, and carrot cake we ordered off the regular menu! All of this was a nice break from the traditional food we’ve been eating and very tasty. The staff were patient with our (not the best) Spanish and provided excellent service throughout the meal. We would absolutely return.

Never felt less welcomed. Everyone in the place got table service except me - I was told to order at the bar. Asked for a menu and was told no food; everyone else kept on ordering… not sure what’s going on with this place. My Spanish is fine… had a glass of wine and left as soon as I could.

Very good food! Would recommend. We had the Pulled Pork burger and the Salmon which tasted delicious. The waitresses were nice and helpful. Overall a great experience!

We like to amble around so happened across this little neighbourhood joint. Bustling, quirky with very friendly staff. We fell in love with it. I love the quirkiness of the design. It’s very popular for food. We were sat outside at the right time, so we managed to get an order in. We thoroughly enjoyed the food. It’s reasonably priced. Slightly more expensive than other locales, but not excessively so.

Lovely restaurant with interesting decor and well plated food. We shared a variety of small dishes and they were all delicious. We especially loved the burrata! The waitress was friendly and the food came out perfectly: never more than one plate at a time so we got to enjoy each one equally. Busy atmosphere too! Highly recommend.

Hidden gem! Amazing place with delicious, not boring food 😍 menu of the day is a must try. Also loved the interior design: a lot of cool details.

We went here for the food with high expectations and it delivered! I mean DELIVERED! I was near tears eating their version of Russian salad (potato salad).... everything was prepared with exceptional attention to FINE detail. Off the hook. Tomato salad with nectarines was the best salad in my life. Period. Great wine....try the first Txokolina.... amazing wine.

Popular in the evening, but worth angling for a spot. Personally recommend the Gilda pintxos (manzanilla olives, anchovies, Guindilla picked peppers, Extra virgin olive oil on toast) & alberiño wine. They close at 10 but they are gracious and will let you linger to finish. Price is nice, Great spot!!

A quick breather during our walk. Very friendly staff. The food is also delicious and well-prepared. A wide selection of vermouths. You can sit inside or outside. It's nice to sit outside and watch the people go by 😃. We paid about 12 euros for what you see in the picture . Highly recommended 👍.

Lovely spot for drinks, pintxos and people watching sat outside. Gildas were fantastic and the staff recommended Rioja was lovely. The Tinto de Verano and Kalimoxto are well mixed. Friendly staff, catering for tourists and locals. If you're looking for a quick break from sightseeing or a long lazy afternoon this is a good place situated in Bilbao's old town.

Freshly cooked tortilla. But you have to chase the waiter literally to get your plate, and it’s cold when you get it.

Highly recommended! Awesome food, wine selection and great service! Must try

The customer service was truly exceptional - it was an absolute delight! To our pleasant surprise, the staff spoke English and took the time to walk us through the various options available. As vegetarians, we were pleased to find a decent variety of dishes on offer, and the overall atmosphere of the establishment added to our enjoyment. It's clear that the staff takes great pride in their work, and we encourage them to keep up the excellent job they're doing.

Quite simply the best Tortilla in Bilbao. The crispy fried potatoes in the Tortilla are a game changer. it was so tasty I immediately ordered another.

Was looking to taste Pintxos or Basque tapas in Bilbao. Randomly walked into this restaurant and boy was it a great find. Pintxos were all tasty especially the yummy pork cheeks, at least that what I think it was. I saw some of the locals order it as it was not on display at the counter, and lucky I did. So soft and delicious. We were there when the Bilbao football club won 🏆 and so the vibe in the whole city was festive.

Outstanding!! This is a very small place but wow!! The colors of the food are catching the eye then the mix of flavours are explosing in your mouth. The waitress was friendly. I have discovered the rice cake and I loved it! This place is a must try when you go to Bilbao!!!

Great place in Bilbao. Food was amazing and if I had option for 6 starts, I would add them for the service. Guys at the bar were fantastic and brought so much humour and laughter to our evening. We would go back again.

We just happened upon this place and grabbed an outdoor table for lunch. Instead of pinxhos (tapas), we had comidas caseras, or house meals. My husband had meatballs on a light red sauce plus octopus & lobster on a skewer. I had a chicken taco with house made guacamole. It had a distinct Basque rather than Mexican flavor. Cost €12 pp. outdoor spot, lovely service. Recommend. And worth a wander in the purely local new town section, maybe 15 minutes from the Guggenheim.

Lovely pintxos and food. The place isn't too big but cozy enough for a couple of a group of three. The waitress was class 👌, she gave all the details about their pintxos and food. Great service !!

El Huevo Frito offers a diverse menu for Pintxos, showcasing a range of flavours. The ambiance is lovely, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal with friends or family, however they could not accommodate 4 people without booking ahead. El Huevo Frito is worth a visit for its unique culinary offerings.

Attended many times before. This time, during the festival of Bilbao , there were dayly great gigs for free.

Located near metro station Casco Viejo and Abandon, Bilborock is a music hall providing different kinds of activities like: live music and dancing lessons.

Awesome venue for live music & concerts!

Went for a climate change event. Fantastic. Downside, it seems the heating system was off.

Great Venue for concerts, shows, and forums

Great experience ,good music, ambience and best of all the Man himself Fermin..

Amazing atmosphere

The pintos here look colourful and are very creative. We tried a sausage wrapped in pastry topped with a mini egg. It was expectedly tasty but maybe a little rich with the combined combo. The mushroom and goats cheese pinto was juicy and the combo gave it a moorish quality. Washed down with an ice cold beer and it was a great pit stop.

Sorgínzulo is another fantastic pintxos experience in Bilbao, right on Plaza Nueva. It’s a small, bustling spot full of energy—people enjoying pintxos, wine, and music, with crowds lining up for the next round of tapas. The selection is big, prices are fair for the location, and the flavors are excellent. I’d happily come back here again!

If you can only make it to one pintxo bar, let it be this one. We tried at least 8 different places in Bilbao and we rank this as the top for variety and taste. We love the pintxos here (calamari burger, stuffed anchovy, anything really). The standout dish of the place was the foie which came with popping candy and a brioche that tasted like a torrija, felt like a dish that was invented to be a part of a Michelin-star tasting menu. You have to order & wait for it but it’s worth it! Service is pretty quick and friendly.

So the service was good and the squid dish was excellent. Sadly we ordered the red tuna dish - the most expensive dish on the menu - instead of coming with the advertised avocado, lime and mayonnaise, they cobbled together something with an overly acidic tomato salad and some rocket (picture attached for proof). If you haven't got the ingredients for the dish don't serve it, a real shame as if you do get served what is advertised the food is excellent.

A lively pintxos place at the main square, a bit more touristic to our like but the food quality and taste is good, pricing is also very fair. Would prefer an either more local and down to earth or smaller scale pintxos place around the town but if you are for the main stream vibe, the food is definitely good!

The pintxos were excellent and varied, though like with many pintxos I was left with a bit of heartburn. The sangria was very light on alcohol but tasty — for me, that’s a plus. Four pintxos and two sangrias for €25 is a deal you won’t find in Munich or other big cities. Unfortunately, the restroom was extremely dirty.

The Pintxos are so good. Pintxo is a special meal ftom Bilbao, similar to tapas. Must try with Zurito. This bar is in the heart of Plaza Nueva (Old Bilbao). BRAVO👍

very cool decor. house cocktail is the G&T. it was better than I thought it would be based on ingredients. a bit overpriced. I would try it again.

This place has a great look, with a lot of cool details, but does not really live up too it. Not so much action and vibe. The guy in the bar further in is a great guy and awesome bartender though!

Can't say anything about the food coz we only came for drinks after a big lunch but... the liquors? They seem to have pretty much everything in there. The place looks fancy. It's pretty chill to have drinks in the terraza.

This place is dangerously good. To be fair, I ordered whisky, so I can't personally speak to their mixology. But my wife maintains that her dry martini and her espresso martini were among the best she has ever had. And I can't tell you how many damn martinis I have had to buy in the last 30 years. So that is high praise. A deep and narrow bar, it is larger than you would think with a small upstairs section as well. And of course, you can always enjoy your drinks at the tables outside as well. Highly recommend.

This was the only bar in Bilbao where we had decent cocktails. The service and ambiance were okay; although they didn't particularly stand out, the highlight was undoubtedly the quality of the cocktails. A good spot if you're seeking well-made drinks.

Great little cocktail bar in Bilbao. €10 a cocktail.

Great place for a cocktail, massive selection of premium spirits too

What a cool spot! My partner and I came here for their live Irish music jam and had the best time. The atmosphere is cozy and authentic, the bartender is super kind and experienced. The music was amazing!

The best cocktail bar in Bilbao. Really good stuff, I've had an awesome Penicillin and a Whiskey Sour, both made with ridiculously good and consistent execution. This is a real pro-level stuff, and I'm yet to find another one like this in Bilbao! The place is very cozy and comfortable, the staff is really caring and knowledgeable, the drinks are just perfect, and Guinness tastes the same as it does in Dublin. 10/10

Best, and probably the only, real whiskey bar in Bilbao. Manu, the owner said, "I wanted to create a bar that I would want to drink in." in fact he created a bar that I also want to drink in. With a focus on whiskey from all parts of the globe with a specialty in Islay Scotch, Residence offers a wonderful experience for the amateur or well traveled whiskey drinker. A large selection of Scotch, Irish and Japanese whiskey with an honest selection of American bourbons provide a rich drinking experience for anyone who needs their whiskey fix. Guinness certified pub, the stout is always at perfect temperature. Not a lot of space but a ton of heart, if you drink whiskey you want to drink here!

Guinness was great. Service was great. Atmosphere was great.

Only place in basque region in Bilbao to Biarritz with authentic open Irish music sessions on Wednesday nights at 9pm. Even some real Irish players.

A very pleasant afternoon drinking amazing whiskies and tasting the locally distilled whiskey. Very pleasant atmosphere and great service. You must do this place at least once on any visit to Bilbao

Excellent collection of whiskeys. Bartender Fernando gave us a little history on some of the whiskeys. Great friendly service. Keep it up!

An iconic place for authentic Pintxos. The service is fast, the food is good, the atmosphere is simple and local. Our favorites: the pulled pork with a slice of apple, and the spicy chicken.

A nice place full of locals which is always a good sign. They are very creative with their pintxos as I'd never seen such flavours.

Only place I found which had a dedicated gluten free menu, had plenty of choice on there too. Had a few of them, good food and good value. Staff were nice and accommodating to my poor Spanish. Service good. Venue itself nothing special, but def worth a visit if after gluten free food in Bilbao. Walk in, didn’t need to book.

A really nice and interesting spot for somebody who visits from outside of Spain. It was my first experience trying Pintxos and this was probably a pretty authentic one. You choose from the ones offered everywhere on the counter, put them on your plate and try to make eye contact with the very very very busy bar woman. It's a wonder they don't burn out after a day of working, respect. They can heat them up for you, or you just eat them like that. 2,50 per snack is quite hefty in my opinion, but for the experience it's worth it. If you have problems with crowded places though, be warned.

For gluten free pintxos they have a small menu card you need to ask for, these ones they present on gf bread. Food was good, particularly the crispy apple on shredded duck. Nice, simple tapas bar.

Best pintos in Bilbao! And we've tried few already. Such a variety and not only bread/baggiete based.

Having tasted so many Pintxos in Bilbao it is safe to say that this place is special. Unassuming interior with function over form this place offers a great new interpretation of the Pintxo. A fusion of Basque culinary delights with an east-asian twist on the whole thing. The owner is a delight and happy to recommend dishes based on your preference. Hard to just pick one here so go ahead an sample them all. Recommended are the pulled pork and fallafel ones. Thanks for having us!

I don't understand why this place is so popular. Their sandwiches are swimming in mayonese, making them completely soggy. We ended up throwing the food, as it was disgusting

Super cheap and nice people but I'm not sure why it's so famous since it's the soggiest sandwich I've ever had.

I will crave their ‘Torre’ sandwich for the rest of my life. It is a little gem made with fresh traditional bread, mayonnaise, anchovies, lettuce and a secret sauce( made with peppers or an other kind of pimientos I suspect). Double deck. To die for. The other sandwich I tried is the traditional triangulo( ham, mayo, lettuce) really fresh and filling. Really good selection of local wine but if you are not in the mood for drinking order a ‘mosto’: a refreshing alcohol free grape juice served with ice and a olive.

The best sandwiches I ever had. No wonder people queue up in front for take away

Nice and delicious sandwiches. A must try 👌

I have a mixed feeling about the famous sandwiches. I tried them both they are tasty but on another hand it’s not some blowmind sandwich I would eat very often. The personal were very polite, friendly and they spoke good English so that I can compliment.

Tried the tower and the triangle. I liked the triangle a lot and would have two of them! The tower is a bit more soggy with anchovies and a sauce which I wasn't a fan of. Service was nice and prices are very reasonable considering the size of the sandwiches. (€3 each)

I ordered the hot chocolate and got the absolute best hot chocolate I have tried in so long!! Also for the price I paid, definitely recommend and would go there again! :)

Tiny, nice place, very good craft beer selection (on tap & canned). Some pintxos available.

Great little cafe bar with 5 taps pouring quality craft beer with great service. The food was great, especially the gildas served with a mini Bloody Mary! The music was class too.

So glad I discovered this gem. Food and drinks are simply excellent quality! (Sandwich & carrot cake 👌) And the interior is very hip with a lot of attention to detail. Owner is a very nice chap, too. Thank you.

Came for the coffee and was not disappointed. The owner really knows his stuff. We tried the specialty filter coffee and it was amazing. He even served it in ceramic cups he made himself—we were lucky to be the first to use them! Loved the whole vibe. Definitely coming back.

Such a great bar. It's small and cosy. The staff are really helpful and friendly. There's a great selection of local beers, all delicious. Even if you're only in Bilbao for a few hours, make the effort, it's worth it. The sandwiches looked class too.

I visted here in early December 23 and have to say I wasn't dissapointed. OK, it's only a small place, so it can quickly fill up. So my advice is to get here early. What it lacks in size it makes up for in warmth, friendliness & intimacy. The beer choices whilst limited (by lack of space) are quite impressive and it's fairly obvious that the owner has a good knowledge of craft ales. The choices range from IPA's, Porters, Stouts, to Pilners & Belguim types. On the evenings of our visits there were 6 beers on tap, 3 IPA's, 1 x Porter, 1 x Belguim Dubbel & 1 x Pilsner, not to mention and impressive selection of craft ales in tins (inc some from the UK) The bar's small size can make it a bit squashed at times (especially when it gets busy) but there are a few small tables around the back with a sprinkling of extra chairs & stools. In the worst case scenario there are even a couple of small tables & chairs outside on the street, however the street footpath is narrow & also very steep (Oh & it needs to be dry!) There are two small toilets to the left & rear of the bar (both very clean) On our visits we had the opportunity to sample a few of the bar snacks, both the hummus & the carrot cake were delicious. I can also recommend the hot chocolate & coffee which were equally of top quality. Overall this bar was a great find and despite it's small size I would highly recommend it. The owner is a lovely guy (who speaks better English than my Spanish) and also very helpful. If you're not sure about anything, just ask. To add just a footnote, the bar is located just a short walk from the Ibarreko Zubia footbridge, but be aware if you're not good on your feet it is quite a steep little climb.

Go if the only thing you want to see is the viewpoint (make sure it is not a foggy day at the top). Otherwise, there is nothing else to do. There is so much potential which is a shame. For example, it advertises a roller skate park but it is barren and nothing is there in the height of June. There is no cafe or anything to sit and chill. Some lonely chairs and decorations. Spend your time elsewhere, we regret it!

It is worth €3 to take the funicular or hike up to Mt Artxanda. It was a foggy day when I visited, lovely and cool. There is a small park at the top and a wide viewing area. I hiked down - well worth it although you do need GPS so you don’t get lost.

Wow! What a great place. Definitely a must visit when travelling in Bilbao. We took the tram up to the viewing point using our barrik cards so it was super cheap (although very busy). You can see the whole of Bilbao from Mount Artxanda and it’s beautiful.

Amazing view of Bilbao, fresh air and a lot of green parks — that’s everything i needed

Very nice place to be on, if you visit bilbao. It a peak view of Bilbao, recommended

Must see place. Terrific views of Bilbao. Can be accessed via a funicular train.

First you take the Funicular up the mountain, which on its own is absolutely charming, up to some of the best views/romantic views of Bilbao. Not a quick walk but close enough to reach from the Guggenheim

We had time to spare. It was sunny and the outdoor seating caught our eye. They only had indoor seating which worked out well in the end as the decor was quite interesting. We ordered beer and Txakoli. Restroom was clean. May check it out at night to see what kind of vibe it has.

Themed around the movies of Stanley Kubrick. They serve a wider collection of beers than many other places. Quite busy.

Not the best place to eat. Nice location though

Open mic Sunday night. It felt like a dream! Live music with people from different parts of the world been united by the same language, music! One great performance after other and when I just thought the night couldn’t get better two women move the chair next to me open the piano and start singing Nina Simone, my baby just cares for me! A night I’ll never forget.

Lovely helpful staff. Nice atmosphere for a relaxed drink/pinxto

If you like cinema you have to visit this bar - it‘s a hommage to Stanley Kubrick! By the way, the service is great and food delicious :-)

Good music, good beers and a nice atmosphere!

While exploring Casco Viejo, I stopped by this place for a quick snack—and wow! A truly local gem. The pintxos were excellent, both in quality and taste. A great experience overall—highly recommended!

If you are visiting Bilbao and want to explore their local culture, come to vasco viejo and enjoy some of the gems of this wonderful city. Food and drinks were delicious! Can’t go wrong with any choice.

We got the croqueta and pork belly here for a quick bite. Croqueta was great and a must order for sure. Pork belly was waaay too salty, fatty and chewy, definitely not for our taste.

Understandably very busy due to the excellent Pintxos and great service! Some very imaginative and tasty combinations, not only traditionally Spanish but many with influences from other cultures. You have to be lucky to get a table as it is really packed all the time. Be patient and wait for space as it is definitely worth it!

Really tasty pintxos at good prices. Great wine. Friendly service. Very easy to order. Buzzing atmosphere.

Apparently the bar is famous for its croquetas according our guide and indeed they were not bad, the bar just in front of it was apparently famous for its warm pintxos but we could not try it since the waiter did not allow us to bring food from outside

This was our second visit to Bilbao in recent years and, without question, this is our favourite place. We've been here every day and sometimes more than once. The team are super friendly, genuinely keen to talk about the food and their backgrounds. You never feel like your a travelling cash cow. The pintxos are top notch too. Isabella, the cook, is constantly bringing our tray after tray of fresh food. And, the quality is superb. Our faves were the tomato and avocado on bread topped with Japanese style seaweed (simply delicious) and the gildas, themselves a perfect balance of acidity, salinity and umami. But, we tried lots from the two different tuna pintxos, the bacalao, the anchovy and crab. The list goes on and all of them perfect. Next time, we're in Bilbao we'll be heading straight back her. If you arrive when it's busy and can't find a seat, just wait and one soon frees up. It's worth hanging around, we promise.

Taberna Basaras may be small in size, but it delivers big on atmosphere, flavor, and value. The wine selection is surprisingly extensive and thoughtfully curated — all at incredibly reasonable prices. Their daily pintxos selection is fresh, flavorful, and showcases the best of Basque culinary tradition. Whether you’re popping in for a quick glass and a bite or settling in for a longer tasting, this cozy spot captures the essence of local charm. A must-visit if you want to eat and drink like a local. I had some great wines but the Barons de Rothschild champagne (special by the glass) was my absolute favorite

Small, cozy place, with a huge selection os spanish wines & pintxos. Very crowded, especially at weekends. Reasonable prices.

We came here on a recommendation from our host and it did not disappoint. The anchovies are served in so many different way and the basque wine is delicious. The staff are so friendly and helpful. Jon was so knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend.

Incredible pintxos, lovely staff and cozy atmosphere 😍 P.S.: go through the vermouth menu

Great wine, great pub, but spoiled by unfriendly servers. I have really minimum standards when it comes to service. If people are civil that will do for me. But everything you ask of the two girls (even asked politely) is responded with an eye roll and a sigh. Yes I am not Basque, my sincere apologies. Wine and tortilla isn't a lot of work.

Famous for their anchovies and there's a good reason why. The setting is a simple Spanish bar, but the food is great and the wine is very decently prices and good. Located in the Old Town, it's very lively and small, so get there early or just have your food and drinks on the street, it's very normal

Cozy and small taberna with quality pintxos.

We watched the Women's World cup Rugby final here at one end of its tiny bar whilst others watched a men's S. Africa Vs Argentina rugby match at the other. A tight squeeze but well worth it to be able to watch the women's rugby whilst on holiday in Bilbao so thanks to the bar staff for that. It felt really special and welcoming even if the majority were cheering on the men, they did turn their astonished faces towards the ladies match at their half time. Perhaps they'll be converted. Hubby found the Murphy's great, he hasn't had any in ages.

We stayed around the corner from the pub and used it as our daily cocktail bar. The owner was the bartender and was great host. We enjoy gin and tonic and this was the place to be as they have over 250 gins alone in the 600 different liquors they have. You want a cocktail this is a good place to get one.

Cute lounge with good cocktails. We had the bartender make us something on the spot that was the perfect nightcap.

Very nice cocktail bar. Overwhelmed when football is on, but very welcoming to away fans as well as home supporters. Great place

Nice English pub. There is one person doing everything here. Making cocktail, serving drinking, billing customer etc. Very English feel - so you will feel you are in London or the UK. Not very crowded mostly but the place has a nice vibe. Open till very late is another plus point. You can get here easily by tram. 10 mins from San memes station

Was here for Bilbao v Rangers. Was very accommodating to the visiting support, barman was fantastic 👍🇬🇧

If a bar boasts making over 30 cocktails, wouldn't they have some kind of menu or at least a list? Cocktails are only more recently becoming popular where I live, so I was excited to venture into the Sir Winston Churchill. We went early evening, place was empty except for a few other patrons. We asked for a cocktail menu and the bartender said they didn't have one. I asked if he could recommend something or if he had a favorite. I can speak a bit of Spanish and he was speaking English. I know we are in Basque country but everywhere we had been to this point people were speaking a mixture of English and Spanish and extremely friendly. I had thought about learning a few words in the Basque language, hello, thank you...it seemed like it wasn't necessary. The Lonely Planet guidebook didn't even offer a few bits of Basque translations. So, I don't think that was the issue. My husband is Irish and spoke to the bartender 1st so, it wasn't my American accent that set him off. He then barked, "What do you want? Gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila? And sort of glared at me. Ok, most of me wanted to leave at this point. But, I was determined to get a cocktail. I opted for my usual margarita. It would not have been my first choice in a place advertising cocktails. Yes, a margarita is a favorite of mine but given a choice, I'd certainly try something different. Well, before I get my margarita, it was more off a test of wills. The bartender then asked what kind of tequila and named a few. I wish I had looked to see if they had a few displayed behind him, but I must admit, I was flustered, aggravated, and confused by his attitude. So, I just picked one. The bartender then asks, well how do you want it? A shot? On the rocks? He wasn't being helpful. He was annoyed like I was wasting his time in a almost completely empty bar. But let's back track here. It's a bar boasting cocktails and you think I want a shot? The only reason I'm not giving 1 star is my margarita was yummy. And I'm very picky when it comes to margaritas. Going to a bar called Sir Winston Churchill in the middle of Bilbao would never have been my 1st choice. It wouldn't be even a choice if I was in Benidorm. We went because of the advertising of great cocktails. Instead all we got was a grumpy, cocky, bartender.

Not the place for foreign people if your thinking off it unless you know spanish or Basque even so you will feel left out by crowds off non inviting people drinks are very expensive assuming that your in spain idk if there cheaper for locals I had an alright time maybe it wasn’t the season to go or something as there was barely any foreigners in the city but ye

Spanish clubs … reggaeton music, weird people and not nice staff . But the night was cool

Overrated club with a stupid name. "Back and stage" just sounds clunky in English.

Fun and reasonably priced, bouncers can be annoying sometimes. Best club in bilbao

Good place to spend time with your friends partying, but it has way to improvement

The White Eyes from Taiwan

I would recommend this place for people under 20.

In a world filled with alcohols, established players or newcomers joining the scene all have to defend their right behind the bar. Creating liquid experiences worth remembering. This establishment might have had the craft sometime before, but today lacks any interesting qualities. Either inside the drink, or the ambiance of atmosphere within their walls of blue and neon purple. A watery espresso martini and an uninteresting gin fizz awaits anyone bold enough to make an order.

Nice cocktails, not the regular ones, but their own combinations. Very pretty and delicious, some of them even spectacular. No food being served, except for some candy. Nice atmosphere, music is a little loud. Friendly staff. They opened up a little after the time the website said.

Lovely bar excellent service and the best cocktails

As someone who is really into cocktails (amateur bartender), I really like the way they take care in creating their cocktails. They also have a excellent welcoming environment that is beautifully decorated and non-pretentious. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!

Great energy, specially Bartender "Albert". Slow gloomy sunday, around closing time, me and my girlfriend went there to try cocktails, he put equal efforts on every drink, from pours to garnish. As a bartender myself, extremely satisfied! Would for sure visit this place again if I have the chance!

Great cocktail tue mixologist knew what he was doing, fabulous selection of alcohol. Also had a lovely coffee and breakfast here one morning

Diego and Esti are incredibly talented and amazing people. They were very hospitable and I was really impressed with how much care they put into every drink. Extensive knowledge of all sorts of cocktails and can put them together with the best flair I’ve ever seen! Huge shout out to Pietro as well who was asked to come help for the night and was incredible! Thanks again for an awesome night and helping this first time tourist to Bilbao have a fantastic time! Much love guys and I’ll see you again soon! <3

The boy working on the door was so nice and helpful. Our drinks were taken when we went to smoke and he immediately apologized and replaced them. I don't like the music here (mostly old rock and pop) but the atmosphere is good.

Bit of mixer ,rock pop rock and Basque rock too.. good for all ages..

It's open throughout the week you can visit for free and you can access their installation without appointment.

Poor service and unfriendly staff

Good ambience for late night/early morning party.

Great atmosphere

Ok

(Translated by Google) The atmosphere is very good, coexistence between older adults and young people with children. Beautiful (Original) El ambiente es muy bueno, convivencia entre adultos mayores y jóvenes con niños. Muy bonito

A wide variety of pintxos to choose from. The ones we tried were very tasty. We were here two times: lunchtime and evening. The vibe was great! The staff are friendly, attentive and quick service. A must visit when you’re in Bilbao.

The pintxos looked appealing, but since we were seated at a table, we had to order from the menu instead. My tuna was good, but my husband’s cod had an unpleasant, almost jelly-like texture. Overall, the food was fine but not particularly tasty. The wine, however, was excellent.

Visited La Olla through a cruise excursion. Everything was amazing! Was told we were getting a snack, it was so much food, we couldn't eat everything. But made sure to taste it all. Delicious. The tuna was a crowd favorite. I also enjoyed the pork belly and mushroom pinchos. Will definitely be back to visit. Thank you

I visited with three friends and really liked the atmosphere here. It wasn't too busy, and we sat at the bar. The staff were friendly, chatty and helpful. Our tour guide earlier in the day told us that the ceramic dishes on the bar in La Olla relate to what the pintxos are, and I ordered the tuna with avocado which the guide had recommended - it was delicious!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Amazing Experience at La Olla in Plaza Nueva! If you’re in Bilbao, La Olla is an absolute must! The food is delicious — authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented — but what truly made our experience unforgettable was Ramón Muñoz. His service was beyond exceptional — warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Ramón made us feel so welcome and went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. He’s the kind of person who turns a good dinner into a memorable experience. Ask for Ramón when you go — he’s simply the best! We can’t wait to come back. Thank you, Ramón, for making our visit to Bilbao so special!

We tried the top-recommended pintxos here the miniburger, the beef steak, and the four-cheese and every single one was incredible. Each dish was packed with flavor and felt really special, definitely worth trying. If you’re looking for a spot in Bilbao where the recommended pintxos truly live up to the hype, this is it.

Lovely relaxed place with freshly cooked hot pintxos. We had the Pork with Plum sauce (Secreto Iberico) and Red Tuna (Atun Rojo). Both delicious flavours and cooked to order. Friendly and laid back vibe. Plenty of cold pintxos to choose from spread across the bar. There is indoor seating mainly high chairs with bar tables and outdoor table seating in the plaza.

Great place in the same building where the famous Ribera Market is. Big, spacious and they got large variety of typical Basque pintxos. Although is much better to order straight from the kitchen which is open from 13:00 on. Many tables are facing the river (the glass was super dirty) and they also have a terrace. Service might be faster and they could smile a bit when they are serving to you. In any case 100% recommendable.

La Ribera is undoubtedly Bilbao's most relaxing place to sample pintxos! The food quality does not match that of San Sebastian however the atmosphere more than compensated. Sitting by river is stunning

Great place to buy food and drinks. Loads of bite sized dishes options to choose from. Perfect for large groups. Riverside views are nice! The toilets need proper maintenance which is the only disappointment from the experiment. Locks don’t work, no toilet paper, soap dispenser doesn’t work… It’s a shame because the rest of the market was nice.

Mad staff, not at all friendly! They started well, then dunno what went off! Terrible service, we had to wait for 70+ mins to get our main dishes! Ordered it at 20:00, and received it at 21:41! And it was too bad that we couldn’t finish it up. Would only recommend anchovies from our order (fresh and tastes delish). Everything else was less than expected tbh. We came for seafood, and taste was disappointing.

I can honestly say this place has the perfect combination of venue, food, staff and excellent service. The price is so affordable with no compromise on the quality of the food. If your staying in the Spirit hotel it’s a walk downhill from there so worth it🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

Had lunch here which was good to eat at a fair price. The food stalls were good, but like lots of other places. It's a nice market but it's not as big as we were told and not as interesting. Still good.

Modern restaurant located right on the river bank with a locally sourced ingredients (they get all of their seafood and meat from the market nextdoor). We went for lunch and ordered a few tapas dishes. We would have loved to order something from the fish menu but it is a minimum of four people and we were only two. The food was amazing, but it would've been great to have a few more non deep fried options. Wine list is small but with a very nice selection.

We had a leisurely lunch on a Friday afternoon. We tried to reserve on their site but each slot appeared booked. Our hotel called and got us a table. Really great service, good food, and perfect wine. We ordered off the menu and our waiter set things up at a nice, leisurely pace over multiple courses.

Disappointed. The food was boring and average. Except the anchovies with the toasted bread & the tomato spread that was good. All else was average. The place is nice and the staff polite. And there is a good variety of wines listed - only by the bottle not by the glass-. But this is it. I cannot believe that it is suggested for Michelin. I am not going there again.

Outstanding! We had a fantastic dinner at Los Fueros. Delicious food, friendly & professional service, delightful atmosphere. It’s pretty small and you need to book! The €48 menu was outstanding value. It was all delicious but we particularly loved the anchovy pinxos, croquetas, grilled prawns, artichokes & the amazing ‘bread pudding’ .

When I saw this gem recommending this spot and claiming to be on of the oldest spots in Bilbao, I knew we had to spend an afternoon here. We did two tasting menus. Normally they make everyone at the table do the tasting, but our senior mom was with us that doesn't eat much, so they made a special exception for her. The service was excellent. It felt like a chefs kitchen- intimate and personalized. The food was magnificent (more than we could eat). I will say it does take quite a bit more time than we were anticipating, so be ready! I highly recommend doing the tasting, but plan for it to take 2 hours. And come hungry! Great, local wine as well. One of my favorite meals we had in all of Europe.

Los Fueros in Bilbao was amazing! Their bistro menu was perfect; every dish was incredible, beautifully plated, and so fresh. The place was cozy and charming, great for a chill but fancy dinner. Service was top-notch – attentive and friendly. If you're in Bilbao, you HAVE to go. Seriously, you won't regret it! The Gambas A la plancha and Bunuelos de Bacalao were my faves.

We loved the place - smaller and more cozy than on the photos with excellent choice of wine ! Food was excellent and overall a very (!) fine quality / cost ratio. Make sure to have a reservation !

My wife and I knew we'd be in Bilbao the night of our 20th wedding anniversary, so I sought out a well-reviewed restaurant to celebrate. Los Fueros has a Michelin star, and though I considered other 1-/2-star establishments, I went with this one because the space has been a restaurant since the late 1800s. We could not have been happier with the dining experience. An intimate, tightly packed venue managed by a minimal crew (owner/chef, three cooks, two servers) that doesn't try to create "atmosphere" (no music, no heavy handed design/decor) but focuses full attention on serving up exquisite food. A combination of pintxos and larger dishes, it's among the best meals we've ever had. Highest recommendation.

I recently dined at Nerua Guggenheim, and while the experience was pleasant, it didn't quite live up to the "creative" label it's been given on the Michelin website. Every dish I tried was good, but nothing really stood out as innovative or unique. Felt like a bit overrated in my opinion. The tomatoes were a fresh and promising start, one of the highlights of the meal. The anchovy was just okay—honestly, it felt like something I could have easily found at one of the local pintxo bars. The spinach dish was rather ordinary; the almond and anchovy flavors were lost in a too-liquid texture beneath the spinach leaf. The cod was tasty but, again, lacked creativity. The bonito was well-prepared and, along with the tomatoes, one of the better dishes. The seabass? I’ve had similar at home, so nothing special there. The pork belly was decent, but not remarkable. Unfortunately, the dessert—a sweet pear—was a disappointing finish. I was hoping for a refreshing burst of mint and lime, but it just didn’t deliver. Overall, the meal was okay, but given the Michelin star and the "creative" label, I expected more. It was a decent experience, but not one I'd go out of my way to repeat.

Dining at Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao was still a special opportunity — having a 10-course menu for €110 inside the beautiful Guggenheim Museum was memorable. The food was not bad, but overall it felt a bit simple. Most dishes tasted quite ordinary. I felt the food could have been more elaborate and refined. However, I particularly enjoyed the spinach dish and the dish with squid ink, which stood out among the courses. The desserts were also underwhelming, and I wish they had been more creative and carefully developed. Unfortunately, the service was poor. The staff often couldn’t answer basic questions, either due to limited English or lack of menu knowledge. Usually at fine dining restaurants, the problem is that the pacing between dishes can be too slow — but here, it was the opposite. The courses came out so quickly that I felt rushed and almost uncomfortably full before I had even finished the previous dishes. My plate was even taken while my friend was still eating, which made the experience even more awkward. When I asked about the tea options, they simply brought green tea without offering any choice. At the end of the meal, I shared my feedback, but the staff gave no response. I’m not sure whether they didn’t understand or simply didn’t want to confront any criticism. I didn’t expect perfection from a one-Michelin-star restaurant, but overall, it was not a pleasant experience.

Nerua is undeniably elegant—minimalist design, beautiful atmosphere, right next to the Guggenheim, and the food is light and refined. Perfect, that is, until reality bites—literally. During a birthday dinner, I bit into a fish and found a hard, white plastic pellet about 3 mm in diameter. We informed the server immediately. She took it to the kitchen and… that was it. No explanation, no apology, no acknowledgment—just a silent nod as if nothing happened. Only after I asked post-payment did we hear the baffling explanation: apparently, fish sometimes eat plastic in the ocean, and it stays in their flesh. How comforting. I get it—ocean pollution is tragic. But in any other Michelin-starred restaurant, discovering plastic in your dish would merit at least a sincere apology, or some form of acknowledgment. Not this awkward, hands-off shrug until the guest chases answers. In short: the food and space are still nice, but the dismissive service and lack of care made a special occasion feel like a bad joke.

Worst 1 michelin star restaurant i have ever been to, honestly was so upset about the quality of food being served up, it was worse than the food served in the bistro in the same museum. Every dish was excruciatingly sour, bitter or salty. The scallop omelette was so salty I winced. The bonito was so sour that every bite resulted in pinpricks in my tongue. Another dish with this strange parsley sauce was so bitter I had to sip lots of water. Not sure if they were playing a practical joke on me. I couldn’t bring myself to even finish a few dishes. The dessert was so stodgy and bland. I was incredibly disappointed given that it was the last dinner of my trip to San Sebastian and I had booked this months in advance. No matter how many times we tried to wave a waiter over to pay for the bill, we were flat out ignored, even though we were rushing out to catch the fireworks show. I had a much more delicious and better value one michelin star experience at another restaurant in Bilbao called Mina and only wished I made a second booking there, instead of being ridiculously angry at the food. None of the waiters or waitresses even bothered to check in about the taste of the food even when I clearly didn’t touch more than half of my fish. My conclusion is that this restaurant does not deserve a michelin star, or it needs a new chef to set things straight! Because how can you have a tasting menu that is so lacklustre and at times odious from start to end - that is simply baffling!

Wonderful experience, you can choose a la carte or the tasting menu. We took the menu with the wine pairing. Highly recommended. The restaurant is not cozy - very white and minimalistic but it works.

Interior perhaps too minimalistic for my taste, but more then compensated by service and quality of food and wine.

Really didn’t understand the contrasted ratings for Nerua. We loved the experience and the food was amazing. The chef and the team were attentive. Love being at the chef table looking at how they plated and the process how they created the dishes. Superb cleanliness and organisation. Didn’t feel rushed and didn’t feel too overly posh. It was a fabulous meal from that may not look decorated enough for standard perspectives of a Michelin-star restaurant but they were packed with flavours and interesting combinations. I love that Tomato salad and the marinated seaweed sea bass. I think some people just need to calm down, keep an open mind and let yourself to be immersed into what Nerua can offer, beautifully crafted food. Don’t expect and you will get the unexpected.

If you're in Bilbao and craving a unique fusion dining experience, Dando la Brasa is a must-visit. Food Highlights: We tried the burger, steak, and Caesar salad-all were exceptional. The burger was juicy and flavorful, the steak cooked to perfection, and the Caesar salad offered a delightful twist with its unique ingredients. Ambiance: The restaurant boasts a stylish and eclectic decor, blending industrial elements with vibrant touches. The atmosphere is relaxed yet lively, making it a great spot for both casual dinners and special occasions. Overall Experience: It's a place where innovative cuisine meets a cool, inviting setting. Highly recommended for food enthusiasts looking to explore beyond traditional fare.

We went and had the 5 course tasting menu, everything was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. The waiting staff were really helpful and talked us through each course as well as offering us an excellent wine recommendation for our meal. The quality of the food for the price was really good!

We were on holiday in Bilbao and unfortunately we only found this restaurant in the second half of the holiday. If we had found it sooner we would have eaten here every day. We ate a la carta as well as the menu. One of the dishes was a bit spicy for me, which was noticed by the chef and he came out to ask if it was too spicy for me? A professional team, delicious dishes and interesting cocktails. Everything you need was here. 🥰🤗

What a culinary surprise!!! I was looking for a nice and chill place to invite my family at the end of a trip and we fell in love with Dando La Brasa ! We enjoyed the 7 course & Vegan menu, and we didn’t regret our choice ! Food was EXCELLENT, best so far, and the staff was great. We strongly recommend !! They also propose menu of the day which was also looking great and is more affordable. Go for anything you want, you won’t be disappointed

I had the 7 course menu, and it was soooo delicious. Thank you! 😋

Nice little bar / restaurant on the corner . We stopped in to taste the different types of local beers on a walking tour . Looks like a great bar for an afternoon drink , like us , or something more lively in the evenings . Love the atmosphere and will come back for sure !

Highly recommended. A reservation is a good idea. We didn’t have one but they squeezed us in. Food and service brilliant. The picture is of their dessert Mango Kruntxi. Staff friendly.

The best Pintxos I had in Bilbao! The mushroom and chorizo pintxos are a must! Simple but bursting with flavour!

Great place, setas de purgatorio (mushrooms with a garlic and parsley buttery sauce) were amazing. Friendly service, were very polite and pretended to understand my terrible Spanish. Would def go back. Good value too, €11 for 2 wines and approx 4 pintxos

Friendly and fun pinxtos bar in Bilbao old town. High quality pinxtos. Good outside seating area that catches the sun.

The mushroom pintxos here were top notch, particularly the portobello mushroom!

Great little bar tucked away but well worth seeking out. The setas al purgatorio were garlicky and delicious and the chorizo al inferno were lovely and smokey. They also seem to do their own wine Señorío de Bacaicoa which was very good. Overall a very high standard of pintxos.

Popped inside as the warm weather started to fade and the wind began to blow. Sat inside as glasses blew off the outside tables. Locals do not seem bothered. Older locals crowd...more grey hairs than on a Lipizzaner horse..so I blend in well. Traditional town bar with pintxos on the counter. Paulicarus asked for the firey chorizo. All good value.

One of my favourite bars in Bilbao, the setas are amazing, good croquettas and Gildas too. They make a great vermouth and the staff are exceptionally friendly and attentive. The setas make this a good vegetarian pintxo option.

A typical Basque restaurant with excellent pintxos. I tried several different typical snacks. They were all excellent. The service was fast and friendly. Considering the hot day, the cold beer served was a real refreshment. A pleasant stop while exploring the old center of Bilbao.

Pintxos were not bad but the bread i think was there just for display. I though we were supposed to eat the whole thing but those bread bits were so hard they were probably made out of paper... Not a good experience. Seemed like we were being server yesterday's leftovers. The staff was wonderful though.

Perfect place to taste various pinchos in the heart of Bilbao. They offer also tapas which you can order in smaller or bigger portions. Worth to mention that people there are very helpful & willing to give reccomendations. Will come back there in figurę ;)

In all Plaza Nueva these were the best pintxos we had

Excellent in everything. Politeness of staff, food, presentation of plate, cleaningness great taste. I highly recommend it.

Good place to try some pintxos. It is located within a square with various other tabernas. The food and service is good. It`s a shame we had to share our bench with cockroaches. The portions are also on the smaller side.

Excellent service. The staff is very friendly and speak English, French and I heard them speaking other languages too. I arrived at around 2pm and it was full! But the waiting time was 5 to 10min and it was totally worthy. The food was great, the music relaxing and the atmosphere was lively. I will definitelly go tomorrow again. The Sangria was perfect. I recommend to sit in the tables outside because it is fresher.

We had two glasses of white wine and the vegetarian salad. The salad was nice and fresh, maybe a bit small, and the wine was alright. I lost one of my cards and the bartender kindly kept it for me when I returned about an hour later :)

Amazing place! They have amazing vegan pintxos and also menu is full of vegan food. All great! In fact it was so good, I went there again the next day

Happy to find vegetarian and vegan options in Bilbao. Luckily it’s also really good! Great place for lunch, diner and some pinxtos

Cool bar with great beer options and delicious food! There were lots of vegan options for food and the meals were huge for a cheap price!! Staff was really kind and helpful. The atmosphere was friendly and the music was great! Would definitely recommend!

We went three times in 3 days 😅👌 The chicken "fingers" with sweet chilli sauce and jamón croquetas were delicious! Had to come back for more! Twice!

Come on guys.. we walked literally 20 minutes to here because the bar is one of the few listed as “closing at 1am”, only to find out that it’s closed at 00:10. Bar with 2.300 reviews.. expect to have accurate info.

Cool little Tapas joint with food offerings beyond that after 8:00pm. Very generous pour on drinks too.

the only thing on the hot menu is mushrooms and they are brilliant - so simple and so delicious! We came here twice in one day they were so tasty. Santi puts so much love into seasoning and cooking them to perfection. 10/10

For what it is it’s very good. Must try if you’re a vegetarian as you will generally struggle for great pinchos in Basque Country. Made fresh to order, quick service, fresh baguette not soggy which is a sign they’re taking extra care, and the mushroom is quite lovely.

Never thought I’d be so hyped about a mushroom pintxo but this is it, juicy, freshly grilled on top of a slice of bread. So damn good. It’s the kind of place where you grab something from within the bar to eat outside. The street surrounding this bar was super lively when we visited in the evening

The best mushrooms in the world!! I go here multiple times whenever I am in Bilbao and tell everyone I know going there or is from there about this place!

Believe the hype, delicious mushrooms, best veggie pintxos in Bilbao, they also do a good vermut and the staff are nice too.

One of the most welcoming bar experiences we've ever had. The pintxos are top-notch, especially the champiñones. The bartenders were a delight and took great care of us, including some excellent wine recommendations. We thought we'd stop in for a quick bite but ended up hanging out for several hours. Make sure you check it out if you're in Bilbao!

Among all the pintxos we ate in Bilbao (meat and non-meat) this was definitely the best one! Perfectly full of umami and spiciness!

Very expensive beer for Bilbao. €9.20 for a ‘pinta’ (not a pint, not even close) of anything ‘craft’ — €6-7 for a regular beer. Didn’t help that the guy was very rude too. The Czech Budvar-style beer we had wasn’t fresh, it was almost flat. Disappointing, was hoping to make this a regular haunt!

The craft beer paradise. They have a great selection of beers on tap and cans and I found some great beer from Manchester ( ABC, Cloudwater) They don’t have any pintxos at the counter but just cheese and biscuits. Cozy ambience with quirky forniture. Absolutely approved, I felt at home.

Closed all week. Owner cant be bothered to put notice up explaining why closed or if ever opening again. If owner cant be bothered I would recommend avoiding and go elsewhere moere deserving of custom An offence to all penguins

Really good choice of beer - shame it was only open for one day of my holiday. Guy serving was super cool and friendly too. Only minor drawback was that it was stuffy inside, despite the weather outside was cool.

Selection of beers was quite small, not all taps were operated, but the quality of the beers was excellent. The staff was very friendly and helpfull. Penguins are a +1, everyone loves them right?! I had a really good time out there, so I would absolutely recommend this place for enjoying some good beer.

Nice taplist with some brews from their "house brewery" some cans / bottles on the side. service was an extra solid dude.

As an industry member from the US, its always great to see craft beer alive and well in another country. Cool selection of 16 draughts with a fun bottle list as well. Saw some Cantillon in the fridge... Friendly service and great food to boot! Dog friendly.

Very good vegan options! We had a sandwich that was fantastic, and the environment is nice as well in calle Somera. A great place to grab some drinks or quick food

Good bar for the younger crowd on a street that explodes with youngsters on a Thursday to Saturday night. Casta tried some of their veggie pintxos..good for plant eaters. Have a good bottled selection, including 3 from Samuel Smith Tadcaster. Quite noisey on the afternoon..will explode later tonight.

A lot of vegan options, we ordered sandwiches and they were good but the guacamole with cheese looked disgusting and wasn't good. Tables could have table cloths or something on top to be easier to clean, they were sticky. The service was not bad, but you have to order at the counter.

sooo nice! many vegan options, only vegan pinxos we've found so far! special mention: the mushroom croquettes

On the hunt for vegan pintxos in Bilbao and came upon this great bar. Plenty of vegan options along with a well signposted menu for raciones at standard Basque dinner time (20:00 onwards). Friendly service - will be back!

VEGAN PINTXOS! They have a very good selection of vegan pintxos! Also many good vegan options on the menu too. Best vegan place for pintxos in Bilbao. Great music and good atmosphere! Very good prices. The photos I share are all vegan pintxos.

We were longing for a vegan oasis for a while and we found it here. Food was great in hard-for-vegans-Bilbao.

Staff were friendly and welcoming. The music was really good. The only thing that I didn’t really enjoy was how full of teenagers it was, but I guess it’s all about what mindset one enters to the club with. I had a good time either way, but I felt out of place/like a dinosaur sometimes as they seemed so young 🙈.

Stay away!!! So arrogant staff. I was waiting in the queue and asked to go in for the toilet because I was desperate yet all my friends were still there. They refused and told me go to the bar across the road scoffing. I understand now why the girls are peeing in the streets!! So annoying!

Soooo full and sometimes hard to walk around but it’s a very nice looking place

It was nice. The lady bartender at the entrance was really friendly. Too bad the DJ didn’t want to play Marwa Loud…

Never actually went in since the place was infested by teenagers well to young to even know what nato is.

Went here for a Cuban Rueda class and dancing. Lovely people, good dancers and a really nice teacher

Great vibes

Great music, great scotch selection, great bartenders, great ambiance. 5 stars for sure. Big fan. Came all the way from the US and was not disappointed. I will return.

They tried to charge 90€ for 5 shots because they thought we would not notice. Bad Bar. Watch out !

Nice place with lively local crowd. Enjoyed spinning the globe at the back, which is quite impressive. But was eventually told off for it. Would return.

Awesome cocktail bar; bartender helped us tremendously with getting a taxi after

Enjoyed a couple of cocktails on the terrace. The Simply Spritz is very refreshing!

Cocktails and the atmosphere is worth visiting, however a bit pricey.

If i had to say a word it’s : perfect !

This is The spot for a cocktail. The atmosphere is 10/10. After trawling many bars in bilbao, this place is EPIC!!!! The barman, Sebastian is a true artist

Great little bar with outside terrace in Bilbao's new town. Well made cocktails and good beer/wine selection along with small selection of pinxtos

Top aperitif, courteous staff, cheap prices and super playlist!

They do NOT have craft beers! We did not stay

Some of the best cocktails we have tasted her in Bilbao:)

They don’t have a menu + you need Instagram to consult their drinks! 🙁

Literally the best cocktail bar in all of Bilbao!! Service is great and attentive not to mention great value for money. Highly recommend

Nice place to hang out and have a cerveza while playing some retro arcade games. 1€ per game. Food is below average

Great atmosphere and decor, some of the hardware is a bit stiff, but great service. Their signature cocktail is killer.

We spent an enjoyable couple of hours at Rockade, playing Time Crisis on the arcade machines while quaffing on some lovely lemon flavoured mixers. Would have given 5 star except for it was marred by a couple of friends falling out over having to walk so far in the rain, with one hitting another, and another (jokingly?) throwing a bar stool. Fortunately, the next day we could all blame it on a few too many cervezas, and everything was cool again. All in all, a great little bar full of throwback arcade machines with nostalgic games from childhood that turn out to be rubbish compared to what you remembered.

Nice arcade themed bar, with good small foods available as well. Only shame is that you don't get tokens to the arcades when ordering food or drinks.

Amazing experience Crazy arcade games and 80's vibe

Great bar and very nice bravas

Arcade and vegan food. Loved it.

Apart from the kalimotxo which was pretty good, everything was terrible. Cold, unpalatable food which took like 30 minutes to get served. I even got the wrong burger after the long wait and the second one wasn't the right one. And no excuse for being too busy, the bar was like at 3/4 capacity.

Usual great pintxos and cheap wine. Worth a visit.

Good (huge) vegan burger + good service

Good pintxos and good service

Filthy. Unhelpful staff.

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(Translated by Google) Cozy atmosphere, good coffee and a varied and very good-looking pintxos bar, as well as good service from the staff, I liked it and I will return soon. (Original) Ambiente acogedor, un buen café y una barra de pintxos variados y con muy buena pinta, además de una buena atención por parte del personal, me ha gustado y volveré pronto.