Restaurants and Bars

At this stage nobody could doubt the cosmopolitan character that Bilbao has been gaining over the last few years. This globalization reaches out to all areas of Bilbao society, from culture and communications to leisure activities and gastronomy. And focusing on the latter two, free time and food, let us make it clear that the capital of Biscay is open to all new currents and trends, being a city that has always faced towards Europe. This is not to say that Bilbao has abandoned its own way of doing things; on the contrary, it's a city that has always known how to blend the most modern of outside influences with the deeply-rooted local customs.

Restaurants

If we can say that the Basque Lands in general are known for their culinary traditions, then it must be pointed out that the region of Biscay, and therefore its capital Bilbao, are the absolute masters in the art of Basque cuisine. Thanks to the city's proximity to the sea, fish are the ubiquitous stars of the local restaurants. Specifically codfish, called bacalao is the most typical dish in restaurants which offer traditional Basque cuisine (which is the majority). Made in Biscayan style or pil-pil this fish will win the heart of anyone who tries it. Fresh vegetables are held in high esteem as well. For the best in traditional Basque cuisine based on good seafood and excellent meat, try restaurants such as Amboto, Zortziko, Guria, Matxinbenta, El Perro Chico, Mandoya or Urrejola. For a modern spin on traditional Basque cooking try Baita Gaminiz or Ariatza Jatetxea. Or for some excellent home-made pastries, try Víctor, located on the legendary Plaza Nueva. For a great value on dinner try Monterrey, or the grill La Gabarra. For tasty castillian food, go straight to Asador Aranda.

El Tapeo & El Poteo

And of course, Basque cuisine isn't always enjoyed sitting down. In fact, the majority of eating establishments are probably devoted to that ancient Basque pastime, the tapeo which means going from place to place trying special tapas along with their best house wine. The poteo is another version, where one does the route of bars drinking potes wine served in little glasses. The area of "poteo" par excellence is the Casco Viejo and its Seven Streets, although you could just as easily try the area Pozas, which is made up of the street Licenciado Pozas and the surrounding neighborhood. Some places to try on your evening of poteo are Urrejola, Farketa, Lekeitio, and the legendary Iruña, a bar dating from 1903 decorated in a curious Mudejar Arab style.

International Cuisine

Another important part of the Basque culinary scene has been the increasing number of restaurants that offer international cuisine, thanks to the aforementioned growing cosmopolitan nature of the city. So there are establishments whose decoration and ambiance show a marked English influence, such as Atlanta, or restaurants specializing in German food, such as Ein Prosit Bilbao. And then there are the Asian restaurants which are becoming more and more popular with the locals, as well as restaurants with cuisines from other parts of the world which have brought some exotic ambiance to Bilbao, such as the Peruvian restaurant Ají Colorado or the Mexican Charro Loco, where you will be delighted with authentic Mexican music as well. And we mustn't forget places such as the spectacular Moana Beach, which offers magnificent shows that are sure to leave the guests dazzled.

The restaurants outside of Bilbao, aside from rivaling the quality of the cuisine found in the capital, have the extra advantage of offering their patrons some exquisite views of the sea or of the interior of the province. We could name some of the coastal restaurants like Cubita, while inland we find places such as Andra Mari, Aretxondo or Baserri Maitea. There can be no doubt that Bilbao and nearby towns have a culinary tradition that will satisfy even the most demanding of gourmets.