Mugarra

A reason to visit Bilbao!!🥳

Definitely try to make a reservation to ensure you have an opportunity to try this gem.

Great and friendly service, staff are very attentive. 👍

Now getting into the food, we had the cod and pan seared squid, they are both amazing.🔥

Then comes the desserts, good portions and we loved it, we had a chocolate mousse I would say and triple layered pastry with strawberry sorbet.

Thank you and looking forward to coming back for round 2! 😃

Excellent. We had a late lunch here after a visit to the Guggenheim and was very impressed. Great service. Very helpful with our limited Spanish, spoke slowly and clearly when they realised. We ate the mixed fish platter, cerviche, grilled squid and pea broth with fish. We even shared a dessert and coffees that were also excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, calm, nice balance of special without being uptight. We had a wine recommended that was perfect too. We ate mostly fish but saw there was some excellent meat dishes coming out to other tables that we would like to try on a return visit.

It is an outstanding place, one of the local great places to have a real food from Bilbao. The place to go, ask for Carlos, family member of a 40 years long tradition

Let me begin to rave about Bilbao. Though not as refined as San Sebastian in terms of it's coastline beauty, it surely more than made up for it's rustic charm.

And with charm comes Mugarra. A relatively small size establishment(less than 30 seats) with all the charm that you can find in the food, service, and setup.

The cured fish was a charm to begin with. Well cured, yet without the over-bearing saltiness that other establishments would, it was perfect with the versatile bottle of Albarino.

It was followed by the large & perfectly grilled 1kg whole wild-caught calamari... Even the sauce is all completely finished by our group of 4, dip with their oh so well made hot & crusty bread.....

The main attraction, a 1.6kg wild-caught Seabass; the specimen that totally changed my understanding of what a good seabass should be textured and taste like. I can't rave enuf about it. If I have to use 1 word to describe it, then "Heavenly" should be fair.

The boss, the server, and the chefs are all wonderful; I kept pouring them wine out of appreciation of the great work.

The experience is by no means cheap; €300, wif wine....but the flavours, charm and service we experienced that day was priceless.

If you are not on a tight budget when travelling to Bilbao, I earnestly urge everyone to experience it.

Reservation is highly recommended

The best meal we had in Bilbao.

Great service, with the warm intimacy of a family-owned restaurant with 40 years of history.

The room is nicely decorated. Incredible origami give it a laid back vibe.

The food. Oh man, the food. They are known for salted and vinagre conserves, which were the best I ever had. But everything else was even better. The tuna ribs melt in your mouth in an explosion of flavor. The orange sauce artichokes feel so tender that they seem hand-massaged. The beef was delicious. The wine was a charm.

We walked with another ten packs of their conserves, which they thankfully sell at the store.

We were lucky to get a table for an early lunch without reservations. The service was attentive and dishes we had were magnificent, in particular the crab cake and pork tenderloin. All tables were occupied when we finished our meal

Why this restaurant isn’t in the Michelin guide is beyond me. The meal was incredible, and the service impeccable. We strayed away from a full on seafood feast, and mixed it up with cod ceviche and the tripe stew. The chef knows what he is doing with both beasts of land and sea. And the meal was made even better by the warm welcome and focus of the staff on our satisfaction.

I'm still reeling from my culinary adventure at Mugarra in Bilbao. This restaurant is a true gem, offering an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you craving for more.

From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the elegant yet cozy atmosphere, complete with rustic stone walls, wooden beams, and a roaring fireplace. The service was impeccable, with a team of friendly and knowledgeable staff who guided me through the menu with passion and expertise.

But the real star of the show was the food. Oh, the food! Each dish was a masterclass in creativity, technique, and flavor, with every bite a symphony of textures and tastes. From the amuse-bouche to the dessert, every course was a surprise, a delight, and a revelation.

The highlights for me were the Pan-Seared Squid “Begi Haundi”, with its tender, smoky flesh and tangy aioli; the Scallop and Lobster Tartar, a fresh and indulgent combination of flavors and textures; the Fruit Cannoli, a sweet and crispy treat filled with a burst of citrusy goodness; and the Mascarpone, a creamy and velvety dessert that melted in my mouth.

In short, my experience at Mugarra was nothing short of extraordinary. If you're a foodie, a lover of fine cuisine, or simply looking for a special night out in Bilbao, then this is the place for you. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Very beautiful place with a modern touch... Food was unbelievable... I ate here few times and it never fail... Excellent wine list as well... Professional staff too...

Amazing seafood! We got the seafood salad (similar to a mixed sashimi), anchovies+mackerel, and pan-seared squid. This was perfect for two people. The highlight of the meal for sure was the anchovies+mackerel. So beautiful, simple, and delicious. Very friendly staff as well.

Excellent salmon tuna and cod. Love the cod most! Should have more specific details on kitchen opening hours for visitors who want to dine in, tho the packed Sal has already been stunning!

Wonderful place to have fish but also meat dishes. The cerviche is not Peru but Ecquador style with tomato sauce, nice. The local txakoli wine very tasty.

Fantastic seafood cooked to perfection. We had baked cod, grilled octopus, and peppers ... and all were delicious. All washed down with a white from Rais Baixas.

We were lucky to have a cousin from Spain, recommend this place to us, and stopped by for lunch. It was so lovely, and we were blown away by the service, (owner spent five minutes describing the entire menu to share what was special) and amazing food, especially the seafood. I would come back to this place in a heartbeat. Thank you Mugarra!

This restaurant is the only place you have to visit if you're looking for a fine dining experience in Bilbao. Very helpful staff, good wines and exquisitely prepared fish. These people know what they are doing. If you like seafood and fish, this is the place. Reserve in advance.

Best. Lunch. Ever. :)

Found Mugarra on our first night in Bilbao. Tiny place with about 10 tables. Very friendly and helpful staff. Wonderful food. We started with a plate of salt fish followed by cod cheeks and ox tails. Dessert was an apple cream wonder in a jar. Great wine selection. I recommend this without hesitation.

Amazing dishes from start to finish. The grilled seafood was absolutly yummy. The dessert surprised me quite a lot, VERY refreshing ice cream made 100% with artesanal products. The flavour in mouth was refreshing and the flavour came Subtle, so I could tell it was made my 100%with real fruits. I had a great restaurant experience from the starters to desert.Thanks

We loved this place ! 5*. Awesome food. Superbe service. Lovely people and relaxing ambiente. Try the Iberico porc with mustard sauce. And yes, also the grilled calamares.

Whether you pick something from the menú or ask the chef to surprise you with their choice, you can't go wrong. Everything on the menu is delicious, and you'll want to back to try some more. I know from experience. My recommendation is to ask the chef to surprise you!!!