Casa Rufo was founded in 1955, but not as a restaurant; it was originally a shop and, although it has been a restaurant for five years, it has not abandoned its original business. Casa Rufo is, then, probably different from any other restaurant. A rustic atmosphere is created by the stone and wood decor. It is the restaurant of choice for 'executives, politicians, artists, foreigners, etc...' The specialty here is meat. The visitor here should try a good Chop or Fillet Steak. The Cod Fillet is also very well prepared, as are the Paté and the Anchovies. They also assure us that the croquettes are a lot of people's favourites. Besides this there is also an exhaustive selection of wines to chose from.
It's a venue that changes functions throughout the day to suit its clients. You can come for a late breakfast snack, pop in at lunchtime for tapas or come in the evening for serious drinking and music. You'll see displays of work by 'alternative' painters on the walls and you can entertain yourself chatting with friends or playing board games.
It is well-known that this restaurant owes its name to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum and has also been open for two years. The establishment shows the same modernity as the building that houses it. The dining room is completely modern in design and build. The chairs are a creation of the famous museum's architect, Frank Ghery. As you can imagine, it is essential to book well in advance. Apart from what's on offer on the menu, customers can choose from three different special menus: one classic, another contemporary, and the third based on seasonal ingredients. Here are some suggestions: Roasted Cod, Glazed Cutlets, Crunchy Red Thistle with herbs and Iberian Herbed Pork. As far as the desserts are concerned, they are all so good it's impossible to choose!
In this strangely named place, bullfighting fans will feel at home. Situated near the Vista Alegre Bull Ring, perhaps it is no coincidence that the best Cantabrian products can be found in the Rimbombín. Above all, there is the chance of sampling good seafood at a reasonable price. This establishment has its own seafood nursery. We need hardly state that the specialities here are seafood, with the lobster, shrimps and oysters standing out. But red meats and roast pork shoulder are also exquisitely prepared.
This restaurant is situated in one of the most popular streets of Bilbao's Casco Viejo. It is a luxurious establishment with a décor that has been thought out, down to the last detail. It also professes to offer "unbeatable service". Up-dated traditional Basque cuisine is the specialty. One of the dishes not to be missed at the Mandoya is the lobster, which comes from the restaurant's own nursery. But apart from the lobster, here are a few other suggestions: seafood and smoked fish salad, charcoal-grilled sea-bass or "chuletón" (steak) with garnish. There is also a large selection of exotic home-made desserts like the hot-chocolate stuffed peach.
The Cafe-bar Bilbao dates back to 1911, and is in the heart of the old part of the city. Its horseshoe-shaped bar, tables and tiles make it an ideal place for relaxing with a delicious breakfast, snack or aperitif. It offers a variety of tapas. You can eat inside or out on the terrace, watching all the people in the square.The representative drawings hanging outside the bar, such as Mari Jaia (a giant puppet), which plays an important role in Bilbao's Semana Grande (Big Week) fiesta is sure to capture your attention at Cafe-bar Bilbao.