Gau Txori - Bilbao

Visitors to Bilbao, do yourselves a big favour and avoid this place. For the menu del noche I had paella, lubina (sea bass) and natillas (custard). The paella contained one prawn , one cockle, one mussel and one small piece of rabbit. The prawn was so dry there wasn't an atom of moisture left in it, so much so that it was difficult to remove the shell, it had been blasted so many times and probably reheated over and over. On a better note, the sea bass was moist although small in size, so it was at least edible. This is the only reason I give it 2 stars instead of one. The custard was a sizeable bowl of yellow sludge, which I couldn't face eating. For 18 euros this is definitely a trap for tourists, they are living off the back of the fact that it is one of the first restaurants you come across when entering the old town from a certain direction. For a few euros more you can have a fantastic meal nearby, and also have a better one for a few euros less. I noticed around me there were French and Germans, not many Spanish, always a bad sign. As for the paella, there must be Valencians spinning in their graves right now contemplating how their local dish is being served up in Gau Txori!

Quaint restaurant filled with older local people Basic fare but very well priced and large portions Interesting and very basque

We loved this restaurant. It's not fancy but the food is excellent, Fresh and authentic. The menu of the day was £16 and we weren't the only couple to make a repeat visit we noticed a few more. The red wine is good too! It's served chilled as standard so ask if you want it at room temp. There is always more bread on offer and the puddings were typical, just like my basque grandmother used to make us as children. Wonderful place we would make the trip back for. Try the squid in own ink it was gorgeous.

Fuimos a comer un menú del día y nos prepararon mesa al momento. La comida rápida, de calidad y a muy buen precio. El camarero era de lo mejorcito, atento y muy amable. Servicio perfecto

Buen lugar en el que parar a comer un menú del día típico de toda la vida. Comida sencilla, como si te cocinase la madre de tu amigo en el pueblo. No son sabores espectaculares, pero estaba todo bueno, no había nada que dijeses “esto no me gusta”. Además genial de precio, el más barato de la zona. Además, con hambre no sales. Platos abundantes, como el caso de la purrusalda, que casi desborda el plato de la cantidad que echaron. Lo mejor de todo la atención, camareros muy atentos y simpáticos, te hacen sentir como en casa.