When in Bilbao, a rooftop view with splendid food, service and libations is a for sure winner. Reach the finish line first with a reservation at The Rooftop restaurant located right across the street from the Guggenheim in the Artist Hotel. Their food is cutting edge just like their Sixty One secret lobby bar is with live music some nights. The prices are not on the low side, but for what you get we did not feel over charged either. So please check out the menu when you make your reservations. And don’t contact me to tell me it’s too expensive, you cheapskate!

Breakfast table with orange juice, coffee, and pastries, with a view of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and green hillside through a large window.
An elegant lounge with large windows overlooking city and greenery, furnished with sofas, armchairs, and small tables, in a contemporary style.
Exterior of a hotel entrance with a revolving door, modern signage, and potted plants.
Empty restaurant dining area with wooden tables and mixed chairs, green wainscoting, wooden wall accents, and rectangular hanging light fixtures.
Interior of a restaurant or bar with a neon pink sign that reads 'Para Yeta', a partially visible beer glass in the foreground, and an outdoor seating area visible through large glass windows.

Casa Leotta has two Italian restaurants in Bilbao, and the one we went to was the Pozas shown in the photos. Small, quaint and very popular due to serving up some of the best Italian in the area, meaning pizza, pasta and deserts at prices that would make fast food restaurants blush in shame. If your appetite and your wallet need a break from all the overpriced high end places, then this is for you. Even if you’re filthy rich, you can get clean here!

With seafood in such abundance, sushi is a good choice, particularly if you need a break from the traditional Spanish fare. Near the Guggenheim we found our answer, NIKKO Japanese sushi restaurant. In an comfortable up tempo setting including a sushi bar, this place delivered. We had the spicy tuna roll and dim sum before hand along with some excellent sake.

Exterior of a restaurant named NIKKO with large glass windows, wooden framing, and yellow pendant lights inside. There are plants outside and Japanese characters on signs.
Interior of a restaurant with dark wood tables set with plates, glasses, and utensils, blue upholstered banquettes, and wall sconces shaped like fan lotus flowers.
Six traditional Japanese hand fans with colorful and intricate designs displayed in a black frame against a green tiled wall, with pink foliage on the bottom right corner.
Bar with glass display case containing sandwiches, bottles of alcohol, and hanging wine glasses, with two drinks on the counter: a cocktail with orange slice and cherry, and a glass of beer.
Display of assorted appetizers and desserts in a restaurant buffet, with wine glasses hanging overhead and wine bottles on shelves in the background.
Exterior view of a bakery or café named GURE-TOKI with large glass doors, displaying the interior with shelves and people inside, and visible stickers indicating awards or recognitions.

In the heart of old town in Plaza Nueva is the Gure Toki restaurant, which sounds like an Asian place but is one of the best pintxos restaurants in town. Typical food of the Basque cuisine, Gure Toki raises it to an art form. Adapting to the new hip vibe, this place is so good that it hurts. Just pile in because they only take reservations at the restaurant. Our trick is to either arrive early, around 7PM or arrive late around 10PM. They are open from 10AM to 11PM. Or just stop by as you wander around the old town and make a reservation.