Bon Appetit

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• FEVE Station read more ›
  (2 Calle Bailen. Tel. 94 424 4512)
  The train station bar is located below the platforms, overlooking the river. Food for those in a hurry - but not your typical fast food. It serves a wide selection of sandwiches, rolls and snacks, as well as a full meals, including paella on Sunday.
• Xukela read more ›
  (2 Calle El Perro. Tel. 94 415 9772)
  There are plenty of great tapas bars in the Old Quarters of Bilbao but this is a good place to start. Try the home-made pâté or cod and goats' cheese salad.
• Gatz read more ›
  (10 Santa María. Tel. 94 415 4861)
  The Old Quarters are famous for their tapas bars and Gatz is one of the most popular. Try the plums stuffed with blue cheese or the delicious cod and peppers.
• Fresc Co read more ›
  (12 Calle Ledesma. Tel. 94 423 3001)
  Buffet-style restaurant serving salads and light snacks. Open daily from 12.30pm-midnight.
• Bikandi read more ›
  (21 Calle Somera. Tel. 94 415 0842)
  One of many busy tapas bars in the bustling Old Quarters. Stop for a portion of Spanish omelette or a sandwich.
• Gotzone read more ›
  (11 Gregorio de la Revilla. Tel. 94 441 5034)
  Bilbao has loads of good tapas bars-this one is famous for its mushroom dishes and omelettes.

• Restaurante A Table read more ›
  (18 Calle Dos de Mayo. Tel. 94 415 4766)
  A cosy restaurant where you can sample good French-Basque cuisine. Friendly service and a menu that changes according to the season. Book ahead.
• Restaurante Asia Chic read more ›
  (30 Calle Ledesma. Tel. 94 423 11 86)
  One of Bilbao's most popular Asian restaurants offers a fusion of tastes, minimalist décor and a relaxing atmosphere.
• El Hogar del Pescador read more ›
  (Puerto Pesquero, Santurce. Tel. 94 461 0211)
  This fish restaurant overlooking the harbour in Santurce is well worth the 20-minute train journey. Specialities include grilled sardines and bream.
• La Taberna de los Mundos read more ›
  (17 Calle Simón Bolívar. Tel. 94 413 523)
  Prize-winning restaurant offering a lunchtime menu inspired by cuisines from around the world.
• Restaurante Guetaria read more ›
  (12 Calle Colón de Larreátegui. Tel. 94 423 2527)
  A popular restaurant serving traditional Basque food. Meat and fish are prepared on a charcoal grill as you wait. Book a table at the weekend.
• La Parrilla Argentina read more ›
  (7 Juan Antonio Zunzunegui. Tel. 94 441 7381)
  Vegetarians might want to give this place a miss. Huge, sizzling steaks are cooked on the barbecue in typical Argentinian style. Omnivores should go with an empty stomach.

• Restaurante Rimbombin read more ›
  (44 Calle Hurtado Amézaga. Tel. 94 421 3160)
  One of Bilbao's favourite seafood restaurants. Menus vary depending on what's in season, but the quality never falters. Choose from a selection of local and Spanish wines to accompany your meal.
• La Parilla Argentina read more ›
  (7 Juan Antonio Zunzunegui. Tel. 94 441 7381)
  An Argentinian restaurant serving huge portions of roasted meats. Live music and tango dancing at the weekend, too.
• Marisqueria El Marques read more ›
  (13 Juan de Ajuriaguerra. Tel. 94 423 9380)
  One of Bilbao's many seafood restaurants, Marisqueria El Marques is popular with locals and tourists. A good choice for a special occasion.
• La Parilla Argentina read more ›
  (7 Juan Antonio Zunzunegui. Tel. 94 441 7381)
  Popular Argentinian restaurant in the centre of the city. This is no place for vegetarians, with its emphasis on huge meat portions. There's also live music and dancing.
• Restaurante Zortziko read more ›
  (17 Alameda Mazarredo. Tel. 94 423 9743)
  One of the best restaurants in a city renowned for its excellent food is headed by renowned chef Daniel Garcia. Traditional cuisine with an innovative touch.
• Amalurre read more ›
  (1 Máximo Aguirre. Tel. 944 23 7150 )
  One of Bilbao's best seafood restaurants. Right in the city centre, Amalurre is popular with locals and visitors. Book ahead.

• Zortziko read more ›
  (17 Alameda Mazarredo. Tel. 94 423 9743)
  Enjoy traditional Basque cuisine with an innovative touch. You won't be disappointed with prize-winning chef Daniel García's creations. Book ahead.
• Restaurante Currito read more ›
  (21 Avenida Murrieta. Tel. 94 493 7308)
  Set in Peñota, a 15-minute train ride away, Currito is an emblematic restaurant serving freshly caught fish and seafood. It has spectacular views across the Bay of Biscay.
• Restaurante Rimbombim read more ›
  (48 Hurtado Amézaga. Tel. 94 421 3160)
  In business for more than 70 years, Rimbombim is one of the city's classic seafood restaurants. Seasonal dishes of the best quality.
• Harrobia read more ›
  (2 Calle del Perro. Tel. 94 679 0090)
  A blend of tradition and modernity in the heart of Bilbao's Old Quarters. A creative à la carte menu in the evenings or a more economical set menu at lunchtime.
• Restaurante Jauregia read more ›
  (4 Abandoibarra Etorbidea. Tel. 94 403 5151)
  Within the Palacio de Euskalduna, this restaurant is a popular choice for a special occasion. Basque cuisine with original touches. No dinner menu available-just the chef's suggestions.
• Zortziko read more ›
  (17 Alameda Mazarredo. Tel. 94 423 9743)
  Enjoy traditional Basque cuisine with an innovative touch, from prize-winning chef Daniel García, accompanied by a top-class wine list.

After Dark

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• Café Bar Nerbión read more ›
  (3 Calle La Naja. Tel. 94 416 9189)
  An ideal place to stop off for a quiet drink or snack. Friendly, welcoming service, great views across the river and it's open until late.
• Gambrinus read more ›
  (23 Calle Juan de Ajuriaguerra. Tel. 94 415 0564)
  An English-style pub for those who prefer a pint of beer to a glass of Rioja. Plenty of good wines, too, not to mention a friendly atmosphere and convenient central location.
• Café La Granja read more ›
  (3 Plaza Circular. Tel. 94 423 0813)
  One of the city's top watering holes opened its doors back in 1926. A sprawling café with splendid décor and laid-back atmosphere.
• Café y Té read more ›
  (1 Plaza Moyua. Tel. 94 438 5012)
  A great selection of teas, coffees and home-made cakes. Plenty of beer and wine, too.
• Botxo Kafe read more ›
  (2 Plaza Santos Juanes. Tel. 94 415 6147)
  This popular café, bar and restaurant has been a favourite with locals for years. Pop in and enjoy a coffee in the morning, lunch or a drink at any time of the day or night.
• Café Iruña read more ›
  (Jardines de Albia. Tel. 94 423 7021)
  First opening its doors in 1903, Café Iruña and has been going strong from that day on. Pop in for breakfast, lunch, a coffee, snack or cocktail and admire the impressive décor.

• Kafé Antzokia read more ›
  (2 San Vicente. Tel. 94 424 4625)
  Converted from an old theatre, the Antzokia is a great place to watch a band and meet the locals. Live music from a wide range of genres - check the online programme or stop by during the day for a coffee (www.kafeantzokia.com, Basque and Spanish only).
• Sala Santana 27 read more ›
  (27 Calle Tellería. Tel. 94 459 8617)
  A huge concert hall, restaurant and bar complex where all kinds of local and international bands play. See www.santana27.com (Spanish only) to find out who's playing this month.
• Sala Santana 27 read more ›
  (27 Calle Tellería. Tel. 94 459 8617)
  All kinds of local and international bands play at this huge concert hall and bar complex. Check out the website to see who's on this this month.
• Sala Santana 27 read more ›
  (27 Calle Tellería. Tel. 94 459 8617)
  A huge concert hall with bars and restaurants. All kinds of local and international bands and DJs. Check out who's on this month.
• Cab read more ›
  (27 Calle Doctor Areilza. Tel. 94 421 5708)
  With live music most nights of the week, Cab is popular with a trendy set of thirty- and fortysomethings.
• The Lion's Tavern read more ›
  (101 Unión Begoñesa, Santutxu. Tel. 94 411 6640 )
  One of several popular Irish bars around the capital. Take the metro and get off at Santutxu. Live folk music at the weekend.

• Bullit Groove read more ›
  (3 Calle Dos de Mayo. Tel. 615 780 578)
  A very lively bar playing all kinds of music from the 1960s to current hits. Popular with the young and trendy.
• Anaconda read more ›
  (12 Lasesarre, Barakaldo. Tel. 94 437 7608)
  In nearby Barakaldo, Anaconda will remind you of discos of old. All kinds of music, several dance floors, go-go dancers and karaoke.
• Bullit Groove read more ›
  (3 Calle Dos de Mayo. Tel. 615 780 578)
  A very lively bar playing all kinds of music from the 1960s to current hits. Popular with the young, trendy and nostalgic.
• Congreso read more ›
  (4 Muelle de Uribitarte. Tel. 94 424 7382)
  A young and trendy crowd dance till they drop, or at least until 5am.
• Anaconda read more ›
  (12 Lasesarre, Barakaldo. Tel. 94 437 7608)
  In nearby Barakaldo, Anaconda will remind you of discos of old. All kinds of music, several dance floors, go-go dancers and karaoke.
• Azkena read more ›
  (26 Ibáñez de Bilbao. Tel. 94 415 4997 )
  Certainly late and definitely lively, Azkena is a popular haunt for twenty- and thirtysomethings. It gets very crowded late at night as other bars start to close.

This month...

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Tips

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