Why do Spanish restaurants struggle so much with presentation? This isn't visually appealing. I…read morerefuse to believe it's a deliberate choice to prioritize flavor--because achieving both is not only possible, it's easy.

San Francisco in Bilbao is a fantastic part of town and this is one of the reasons why…read more Wandered over here across the bridge from the old town to a nice bar nearby and googled my options for dinner. I seen this place was well rated and literally across the road and offered the steak dinner I was after so I headed across. Being from Scotland I was a little early for dinner at 8pm but was happy to sit at the bar with a beer until good to go, I hadn't sat for 10 mins before bring offered a table, a lot earlier than I should have I'd suggest to their credit. I sat down and ordered the nachos and a rib eye steak for main. The nachos are very different to what is served in Scotland of course so different to my usual but very good, much better than Scottish version of Doritos with lumps of cheese, salsa and guacamole but then that wouldn't be difficult! The main was brilliant. Not the best I've had but then that is reserved for the wagyu steak I had this time last year in the far East so not fair to compare to be honest. I managed to squeeze in a dessert as hadn't eaten all day and to be honest when it came I didn't want to disturb it as it looked so good on the plate! The flavours didn't disappoint either, simple banana pancakes it's seems aren't all that simple, presented exceptionally and tasting the same I can thoroughly recommend coming here. Great atmosphere, cool area and fantastic food.

Really cute little bakery. The pastries were fresh and delicious. The coffee was good too, but…read moreit's pretty hard to find a bad cup of coffee in Spain.

A tiny place along the river in the old city. Recommended…read moreand we would return. A good spot for breakfast. Friendly bartender/waiter/etc. Good prices on breakfast combos. Tracie said her croissant was light and tasty. My tortilla was OK and hit the spot. Potatoes and egg. + Excellent morning coffee. - Really crappy paper napkins . - Cash only.

Items Selected: Carballon…read moreAlmond Croissant Like a Religeuse with Cinnamon Meringue, Vanilla Custard, Caramel Cream Pastel Crema Pastel Crema with Citrus Meringue and Chocolate Shell Cream Pastry Brulee of Flan atop Sweet Bread Located next to Panko, opening hours starting at 09h30, Pasteleria Suiza is widely considered to be one of the best independently owned bakeries in all of Bilbao and entering the tightly packed space mere moments after doors were unlocked it was evident that I was in trouble as not one item looked less than delightful though none were labeled and I was the only English speaker present. One of those places where each item glows like a jewel behind glass, several large format cakes and chilled confections joining those still emerging from ovens in back, suffice it to say that it was after at least ten minutes deliberation with locals coming and going that an order was selected, the €23.13 tab a bit more expensive than others though the pastries do trend quite big. Familiar with some items from prior stops, the Carballon a last second addition being placed on shelves just as I was about to pay, there is little doubt that both it and the almond croissant benefited from an early arrival in that both were still warm to touch, a similar sentiment applicable to the Pastel Creama with center still jiggly and rich with egg. Unable to know much about other items as a result of language barriers, it was mostly on appearance that four more items were picked, and although the substantial spiral of meringue atop another custard tart disappointed by pairing chocolate to citrus while the flat bread topped in flan was almost impossible to eat without a fork and knife, both the donut filled with airy whipped cream and sculpture of cinnamon and choux were perfectly pleasant, the latter's rich custard within each crisp orb doing a marvelous job offsetting the spice.

La Ribera Market, just outside the old town, near the river, is a beautiful building where you can…read morehave the produce that you purchase cooked for you, or where you can sample as selection of pintxos and Txakoli wine to the beat of live music....this air conditioned building is a like an food court emporium with many choices of restaurants, foods and bars. Dozens of bars and restaurants are inside this market building, so choose what you like !! I picked one that had many pintxos and montaditos displayed, so I knew what each one was...a bit pricey, but not bad.. Built in 1929, this 10,000-square-meter marketplace is Europe's largest indoor marketplace. I found it nice and convenient, but not great in terms of flavors nor atmosphere. Maybe a bit of a tourist trap, in my opinion.

It has a lot of little bars and food vendors selling a variety of beverages and tapas…read more(pintxos/pinchos). I was a fan.