We came to Markina for a family dinner and enjoyed one of our best meals in Bilbao. The menu celebrates classic Basque cuisine, and the quality of the ingredients really shines through.
We shared the Cantabrian anchovies, grilled scallop, heirloom tomato salad, grilled red prawns, baby squid in its own ink, grilled whole fish with potatoes, and the Basque chuleton. Every savory dish was excellent.
The heirloom tomato salad was incredibly fresh, sweet, and juicy, showing just how good simple ingredients can be. The grilled scallop was tender and flavorful, served in its shell with a rich buttery sauce. The baby squid in its own ink was rich without being overwhelming, the grilled fish was moist and perfectly cooked, and the chuleton was everything you'd expect from a great Basque steak, beautifully cooked and full of flavor. The gambas were also wonderfully fresh and sweet. We finished with the Basque cheesecake and torrija, both of which made for a satisfying end to the meal.
The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, making it a lovely place for a family dinner.
The only downside was the service. It wasn't terrible, but it lacked attentiveness. We ordered a drink that never arrived, and no one seemed to notice until we followed it up ourselves. Small details like that kept the experience from matching the high standard of the food.
Even so, Markina is a restaurant I'd gladly recommend. The kitchen clearly knows what it's's doing, and if you appreciate traditional Basque cooking made with quality ingredients, this place deserves a spot on your Bilbao itinerary. read more