€€fine_dining, local, regional, spanish
Lasai takes its name from the Basque word for “calm” or “tranquillity”. This discreet restaurant in a narrow street in the centre of the city, just a few metres from the river, invites guests to discover its modern take on traditional cuisine via a simple daily set menu entitled 'Hiria' (lunchtime only, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) and two more extensive tasting menus ('Lasai' and 'Crystal') that showcase dishes with their roots in the region as well as time-honoured flavours. Make your reservation well in advance, as it is a very popular restaurant and tends to be quite busy!
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.6/5 · 80 reviews
Located in downtown Bilbao, Lasai offers modern Basque and regional cuisine. Reviews highlight high food quality, creative presentations, and a comfortable, contemporary atmosphere. Service is generally professional and attentive, with staff capable of resolving issues like wine pairings effectively. However, some guests experienced slow pacing due to understaffing or encountered rude behavior. While many find the experience worthwhile, opinions on value vary; some consider it excellent, while others feel the dishes lack surprise or justify the cost. Negative feedback also mentions poor seating near the kitchen and noise issues.
Suitable for diners seeking modern Basque cuisine who can tolerate occasional service inconsistencies.
€€Basque
In this modern restaurant that stands out for its terrace (on the 7th floor of the Radisson Collection Hotel), chef Eneko Atxa conjures up cuisine that combines traditional Basque cooking and the occasional contemporary touch. The concise à la carte is well complemented by three tasting menus: Bilbao, Bizkaia, and Vegetariano (a children’s menu is also available). If you’re keen to try one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, make sure you order the egg yolk with “estofado de trigo”.
TripAdvisor review sample · 3.0/5 · 80 reviews
Eneko Basque in Bilbao offers Basque cuisine with an average rating of 3.0/5 from 80 reviews. Food quality is polarized: while some praise the exquisite presentation and traditional flavors of set menus like Bizkaia, others report inconsistent temperatures and mediocre dishes. Service is generally described as attentive and accommodating by staff, though severe complaints cite slow responses and poor communication. Ambiance varies; some find the dining room cozy, but negative reviews highlight cramped tables, lack of tablecloths, and a noisy, casual atmosphere resembling a bar rather than a fine dining establishment. Value is frequently questioned due to the mismatch between cost and the perceived quality of food, service, and environment, compounded by a limited wine list.
Suitable for fans of the Eneko brand willing to tolerate inconsistent service and a casual, noisy atmosphere; verify menu details in advance.
€€€Basque
A restaurant with a classic-contemporary feel, situated next to the Hotel Abando with Bilbao’s Palacio de Justicia on the opposite side of the street. Here, the chef and his team conjure up traditional Basque cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients and dishes showcased on an à la carte and a tasting menu. Highlights include daily specials and delicious signature stews, with a different stew featuring every day (these are referred to as “La Cuchara de Aitor”).
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.2/5 · 80 reviews
Located in Bilbao, Aitor Rauleaga offers modern Basque cuisine praised for high-quality ingredients and skilled preparation, featuring dishes like low-temp eggs and traditional stews. The atmosphere is described as modern and classy. While many guests highlight impeccable service and excellent flavor profiles, others criticize the value for money and occasional lapses in attentiveness. A significant concern arises from multiple reports of the restaurant closing for renovations without notifying pre-booked parties, indicating serious reliability issues for group dining and advance reservations.
Suitable for individuals or small groups seeking high-quality modern Basque cuisine, but verify opening status and avoid large advance bookings due to past communication failures.
€€€regional, fine_dining, spanish, tapas
Yandiola is located inside the Askuna Zentroa civic and cultural centre, where the interior design and meticulous lighting come as a pleasant surprise. The updated take on traditional cuisine on offer here includes the à la carte with headings such as “Yandiola’s classic dishes”, “An Ode to Cod”, “Tradition”, and “The Grill”) plus two tasting menus: Seasonal (available for lunch midweek only) and the eponymous Yandiola.
TripAdvisor review sample · 3.9/5 · 80 reviews
Located in Bilbao’s Alhondiga, Yandiola offers regional Spanish cuisine and tapas. Reviews highlight fresh ingredients, refined dishes like cod and artichokes, and professional service, with the terrace being a standout feature. However, some guests express disappointment regarding value, citing small portions, heavy sauces masking raw quality, or inconsistent service professionalism. While the elegant atmosphere is generally praised, experiences vary significantly depending on specific dishes and staff interactions. Diners should be aware that while many find it excellent, others feel the cost does not always justify the quantity or execution.
Suitable for diners seeking a unique architectural setting and refined Spanish cuisine, though verifying portion sizes and service consistency is advised.
€€€japanese
A restaurant with a refined decor in which you can enjoy a culinary dining experience to the full thanks to chef Daniel Lomana’s frequent visits to Japan to train and to develop his technique further, skills that can you enjoy at close quarters by taking a seat at the bar or at one of its adjoining tables. His focus is on Japanese fusion cuisine that includes interesting à la carte dishes (hamachi sashimi, amberjack with KUMA ceviche, sea bass nigiri, fried aubergines with a white sesame vinaigrette etc), plus a recommended tasting menu. Don’t leave without trying their deconstructed cheesecak
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.0/5 · 80 reviews
Located in central Bilbao, KUMA offers high-quality Japanese cuisine, primarily via tasting menus. Food reviews are mixed; while many praise the freshness and flavor of items like wagyu, sea urchin, and carabinero shrimp, others report bland dishes and disorganized service. Staff are generally professional and friendly, though some guests felt pressured to choose the tasting menu over à la carte options. The ambiance is elegant and quiet, featuring an open kitchen. Value perceptions vary; while some find the reasonable prices justified by quality, others criticize the child pricing policy based on height rather than age, and note inconsistencies in recent visits.
Suitable for diners seeking refined Japanese cuisine who accept fixed menus; verify child pricing policy beforehand.