One dinner in Bilbao--where??
 

Any ideas on where to eat here? We're only in town for one dinner but it's our first night in Spain, and we're thinking something to set the tone for the next month.

First of all, download a free copy of Maribel's Guide to the Basque Country (maribelsguides.com) and you'll find several good recommendations, including Zortziko, at Alameda Manzarredo, 17, near the Guggenheim for gourmet dining. There are also several more modest restaurants in the old quarter, the Casco Viejo. We found a very nice restaurant last month in the Hotel Embarcadero in Getxo, the upscale community outside of Bilbao.

Bilbao is quickly becoming the business center of the Basque Country and northern Spain and as such is attracting a number of great Basque restaurants, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding something great. The only thing is, make sure you make your reservations well in advance. A lot will depend on when you are planning on being in Bilbao. A number of restaurants close for a few weeks after the first of the year and some close during the August vacations period.

We ate at the Rio-Oja restaurant in the Casco Viejo and it was the best food we had in all of Spain. This is a very well known restuarant, not really up-scale but great food!

I was there ovenight two weeks ago and we made the tour of the tapas bars. We did eat at some top (2* Michelin, etc.) in San Sebastian and Barcelona, but enjoyed the tapas at least as much. Especially the first night when you want to get the flavor of the area.

Here is a couple of restaurants in Bilbao where we have eaten resently. The other restaurants are located out side of Bilbao, in either in Donostia-San Sebastian, or in the Basque Countryside. And of course there is always the old city and the pintxos bars.

Cafe Iruña, Calle de Colon Larreategui, No.13, Bilbao

Bertako Restaurante, Alde Zagarro, Bilbao

Mendi Goikoa, Hotel Restaurante, Barrio San Juan, No. 33, Axpe - Valle de Atxondo

Etxebarri, Erretegia Asador, Plaza San Juan, No. 1, Axpe - Marzana - Valle de Atxondo

Baserri Maitea Restaurante, Forua

Alameda Restaurante - Jatetxea, Minasoroeta, 1, 20280 Hondarribia

Mugaritz Otzazulueta baserria, Aldura aldea 20 zk., Errenteria

Casa Nicolasa Restaurante, Aldamar, 4, 20003 San Sebastián-Donostia

Zuberoa, Bekosoro, 1 Iturriotz 20180, Oiartzun