Restaurante Viña del Ensanche

Hi, I have been there multiples during the month and half I have been in Bilbao. It's true that sometimes the waiters looks very overworked and sometimes overwhelmed but I never had a bad service from them. When they were understanding what I was saying. They use a Spanish menu to see what I wanted. They have always been very nice and as thoughtful as they could. For me it was my favorite restaurant so far in Bilbao and I would love to thanks the owner and the staff for the great service and food. Please note that I rarely give 5 stars. I'm just sad that the restaurant closed for renovation for the rest of the summer. One suggestion if anyone from the restaurant do see my comment. Please add an easy way to book table. I know there's always a lot of people and sometimes it's very hard to get a table there.

An absolute treat for our wedding anniversary, we had the tasting menu and a delicious local red wine, followed by coffee and orujo. The restaurant is beautiful inside. We felt we were exclusive guests in a wine cave, being served delicious and tasty food, every course a new flavour and sensation. The service was friendly, welcoming, professional and unrushed. The young staff are well trained and confident, so we felt relaxed and cared for. We would go again in a heart beat and totally recommend for anyone wanting a romantic place to propose or celebrate their wedding anniversary. Thank you for making our day extra special.

Amazing food with great service and outdoor seating options. All the food was super delicious and last but not least, the cheesecake was worth a try itself. Highly recommended if you are in Bilbao.

Set in a casual square teaming with people enjoying drinks under the sun, the vibe was casual. The food however was anything but. The foie gras, on a bed of potato puree and nestled between soft mushrooms and a runny egg was the perfect mix of mouthwatering goodness that needed to be swept clean with crusty bread. The asparagus in tempura batter was crispy and tasty as expected. However the fired artichokes in almond creamy proved to be a creamy and salty bridge too far as it was a little too overpowering after a while. But by service was fast and efficient and we did enjoy the food and vibes.

Great place for a nice dinner. Tried the tasting menu and recommend it. You get a good selection of different types of basq food. You will leave full and happy!

Absolutely loved this place. For dinner or for a quick tapa and drink. We went here twice, once on our first night and again on our last night in Bilbao. We went the second time because on our first night, we sat down and ordered from the menu. While we were eating and drinking and people watching, we noticed that everyone seemed to be getting a couple of different tapas that were not on the sit down menu (there is a big screen behind the bar with the tapa menu - which you can order when seated, no problem). The meals were not expensive, bottles of wine are totally reasonable. Good vermouth and their house made sweet wine (if that is your thing with dessert) was also excellent. The prices were the same at the bar or seated, so you can do what you want. To get a table, especially if it is busy, you need to ask the waiter who you will see running around busily. On our first night we saw people try to swoop in and take a table right when it opened up - typical bar rules - but the waiter would wave them off or ask them to get up. He had a running list of who was waiting for a table in his head (along with everyone's food and drink orders - I honestly don't know how they do it). When we came in our last night at a very not busy time - 5:30pm ish - we saw people just grab tables and the waiter didn't mind, so I think that must be just when it is busy, so it doesn't turn into a free-for-all in there. I highly recommend from the tapas menu: the foie with egg and mushroom, the beef cheeks, their fish and chips with aioli. And from the sit down menu (keep in mind, everything we tried was good): the octopus, the croquettes with aioli, their cheesecake. Ask for a recommendation for a bottle of wine if that is your thing - the one our waiter recommended was glorious.

Amazing place with amazing pintxos. We went there on a Friday and it was quite crowded, but still we had the possibility to eat on the Barra and the guys where super fast on serving what we where asking. Place to go if you are in Bilbao. I recommend to book a table if possible to enjoy even better the amazing food and wine

Restaurant was recently renovated- see pictures. Very Taste food. Try the asparagus and Slow cooked park in green egg

Along with El Globo (The Globe), this is a wonderful place to get Basque-style tapas, which they call Pintxos (pronounced "pinchos"). Rating: 9 out of 10 stars. Definitely recommend.

Really excellent spot for pintxos but also super upscale dinner in Bilbao. Had foie gras and also the cod which both were incredible. Excellent service and a super fun vibe even late on a Wednesday night.

We were really hungry and I had looked up this place on Yelp prior to coming to Bilbao. We walked in and almost walked out because it was packed but a couple were just leaving the bar so we took their spots. The service was very friendly and helpful. The menu is also in English. I wasn't sure what to order so we started with the tuna. And 2 types of jamon; one open faced and one sandwich. We also ordered the pork cheeks with mashed potato and the artichokes. All were delicious!!! The open faced jamon and pork cheeks were so good we ordered more and the server suggested something else so I said ok. Cabezada de iberico is amazing melt in your mouth delicious. We also had some sangria tinta( not the best) and Mahou beer to wah down the awesome tapas. If you find yourself near here do not miss this place.

Was visiting Spain on vacation and this place came highly recommended. They are amazing ! Food and drinks are amazing and great customer service.

Service was a bit rude, but I had to try what they say is the best cheesecake in the world. I ordered two slices for my husband and I and that was too much for us. I suggest you buy one and see if you need another. The cheesecake is not chilled but it may be customary to eat it warm. The cake is creamy, rich and not sweet.

Excelente comida Basque y buena atención; la cava de la casa es muy aceptable y luego un Verdejo del Marquez de Rizcal. Las croquetas de jamon Joselito, un bacalao con pisto y la tarta de queso, son altamente recomendables. I'll be back

I stopped in for lunch walking from the Guggenheim to the AZ cultural center. The place was crowded, but not overwhelmingly so, and I found a spot at the bar quickly. I never know where to stash my coat and walking around bag at these places and was glad to see the hooks mounted just under the bar. In addition to the chalkboard menu and the big electronic one on the wall, they gave me a tablet with English descriptions and pictures. I had an several excellent tapas items - a tuna sandwich, tomato & mozzarella salad, hake (codfish) and a concoction of egg and foie gras in a tiny skillet. They pass the "aqua del grifo" (tap water) test, failed by notorious tourist traps. The bathroom was particularly noteworthy. It had one of those automatic seat liner devices that roll a fresh layer of plastic on for each customer who pushes the red button. The first time I've seen that in Spain.

Delicious food. We started with some Iberico ham (?) I don't quite recall the name on the menu, but it was thinly sliced ham on a platter. Amazing. Goes well with the soft warm bread they bring out. For the entree I tried the pork cheeks and it was so good. Melt in your mouth tender with a side of mashed potato. We sat outside at a corner table that just freed up- lucky as the restaurant was packed. Lively ambiance & great efficient but unpretentious service. My son has a nut allergy and the menu was clear about allergens for all dishes. Highly recommend!!

Absolutely loved the tasting menus and waiters suggestion for wine. Incredible tasty food and at a great price.

This restaurant gets pretty busy but if you find a spot on the counter you can get service pretty quickly. Most people take their drinks and food and hang out outside; it's a very relaxed and fun atmosphere. We decided to try the carrillera (beef cheek) with mashed potatoes. OMG, the meat was so flavorful and tender literally like butter, and the mashed potatoes were creamy and silky, pure deliciousness.

The first time stepping into a "Pintxo" bar, you begin to realize this is a pub, a café, bar, restaurant, diner, all rolled into one. The point is that when you drink, you should probably be eating something - both for the palate and the body- and when you drink, you'd really like something to nibble on. This is where you stop for nourishment, but don't necessarily stop doing other things. An older gentleman tucks into a steak while reading the newspaper, a wry grin seeming to peeking out at as he glances around the room in his bifocals. A young couple, their baby, and his grandparents meet casually over a platter of bread covered in Joselito Coppa (cured shoulder with broad streaks of marbling). Most step up to the bar, order a beverage - a beer (it's Mahou on tap) a larger, a glass of wine (Txakoli is classic, but it's the selection of top Reds served by the glass "copa" listed on a blackboard, selling for a song), or a sherry ("jerez"). Next you'll select a couple of Pintxos. A few simple classics are spread out over the countertop as is customary in Basque country. The classic Pintxo Gilda spikes a toothpick -"pincho" is Spanish for spike, presumably in Basque it is "pintxo"(?)- through an brined olive, cured anchovy and pickled green pepper. Your server will douse it in a bright green olive oil just before serving. Perhaps a small sandwich or two - a small crusty roll filled with Ham, or Tuna and Peppers (either brined green or roasted red). Other Pintxo options, hot and cold can be found on the clipboard menu & wine list (as well as a digital screen behind the bar). You also have the option of making your full meal here, and select from some of the larger plates. Perhaps some fish (we went with Hake), a Steak, or a "72 Hour" Joselito Pork Shoulder cooked at 85 degrees celsius for the aforementioned time, cut into a thick slice, and griddled to a crisp before serving. It's served with a slightly sweet mustard sauce to counter the pork-gaminess. I suppose that unlike the others out party was here only for the food and drink. Most here were looking to nourish themselves as they got on with the rest of their lives. For us, this was just the start, as we only had one night in Bilbao....... [to be continued at El Globo......]

The first time we stopped at La Vina del Ensanche, it was at the end of an exhausting day of eating and sightseeing, and we just wanted a glass of wine. We were jealous and kicking ourselves when we saw the amazing plates of food going out. Despite our full bellies, I mustered up the will/courage to order some patatas bravas, and they were excellent, with a nice spicy sauce. The wine selection was great, and the manager was really nice about explaining things to us, even though he was really busy. We vowed to return when we were hungry. They were absolutely packed at lunch hour, but we managed to snag a table. The anchovy salad, risotto, creme brulee, and chocolate mousse were all wonderful. My only regret is that we weren't hungry enough to order more items. Highly recommended, a real highlight of our trip!

KenScale: 8.0/10 After quick bites at El Globo, there was another place right nearby in Bilbao that I wanted to check out. By this time, I was starting to get full, but I wanted to see what La Viña del Ensanche has up in its sleeves. While I ended up ordering only three dishes, I'm glad I was able to stop by as everything that I tried was satisfactory. The combination of ham, cheese and foie melt on cristal bread was a wonderful bite. If I wasn't as full, I might've ordered another to savor this decadent mix that was rich in flavor. Fresh pork collar cooked for 720 minutes at 85 degrees Celsius sounded pretty intriguing and I enjoyed the tender texture of the meat that was not overly seasoned to my liking. The lone dessert that I had tried was also excellent. Red fruit gratin with cheese ice cream was something that I hadn't seen in concept before, and the balance of elegant flavor without being overly sweet made me finish this plate in a minute. The inside space of the bar was lively even at 9:00 p.m., but fortunately there was spacious outdoor area that you could sit down easily. As always, a glass or two of wine helps wash down the food. It is bites at casual places in Bilbao like La Viña del Ensanche that I came to really appreciate the dining scene in Spain. Yes, you will have a lot of great fine dining restaurants to choose from, but don't sleep on these more casual experiences where there are a lot of bites from simple-looking dishes that can surprise you in a very pleasant way.

Couldn't get enough of this place so we came here twice in our two days in Bilbao. Casual and lively! Get the Bacalao fish, so delish in the tomato sauce. The beef cheeks and foie with ham are not to be missed!

We visited La Viña expecting to have one or two pintxos but ended up getting the tasting menu and it was divine! All 8 of the courses were delicious, especially those including the high-grade Iberian ham. The portions were a good size and I did not walk out of the restaurant feeling incredibly full. 30€ is a steal for all the food!!

At 9:15 pm the Bar was very crouded and packed with many locals. We had the salmon with asparagus - the salmon was rather plain. But the quality of the salmon was like sushi at it's best. Also we ordered a tuna with rice and they split the one order on two plates for easy sharing - very nice. If you order only one plate here, it must be the tuna for sure! We closed our shared menu with a piece of Merluza - a fish fillet we also liked a lot. The dessert was a very nice vanilla cream (in other regions they call it crema catalana) with a small serving of ice cream. We love to come again.

This place is FANTASTIC. Such a fun experience, incredible pinxtos - the Iberian ham/foie gras combo is life changing. Great red wine & fabulous people watching. Service with a smile and oh so very Spanish. Fantástico!

We hiked a little ways to get here, as it seemed to be a hit on Yelp. After seeing the crowded terrace seating and busy restaurant space, we were a little bummed thinking we wouldn't get in. Then we spied a table near the door that just opened up and grabbed it. The waiter came by quickly and we started into the menu. Sharon tried several local vino tintos- all of which were very good for between 2-3 Euros a cup. The raciones plates were tasty as well: artichoke hearts, tempura asparagus, seared tuna with wasabi, among other standard tapas fare. Our bill came to around 50 Euros. We loved the ambiance here as the two waiters in the restaurant managed their busy tables with professionalism. Service was quick, and both food and drinks were satisfying and reasonably priced. Highly recommend this place in Bilbao!

Do not miss this place. It is fantastic. The service was great but the food was the real star. We ordered five dishes and each was just amazing. Would love to go back to Bilbao some day just to visit this restaurant again.

A bit grimy and the bar food was okay. For us, it unfortunately didn't live up to the reviews.

this is one that i enjoyed much more than my husband so it might be one of those cultural things to me it was like my mom was in the kitchen cooking me a fantastic homemade meal loved the space which seemed to have had the same furniture for the last 100 years except it was clean which is a huge plus service decent by spain standards if i lived in bilbao i am sure it would be a go to place for me

Nice place! Good food, fast service, and nice location. It wasn't very crowded around 10pm on a Friday night which was a bit surprising however a lot of people were eating outside. Note that about 45 minutes before closing time they start pulling the outdoor furniture in and then people come in. It'll get noisy very quickly!

This place has a pretty cool vibe and is much larger than many of the pinxto bars that you'll find in Bilbao. My wife and I stopped in for a few glasses of cider and rioja, and a couple of tapas. The Iberian pork cheek was the standout. Slowly braised in a flavorful red wine reduction, and served with a spoon instead of fork/knife. Make it a point to order this when you come here!

Typical place for good ham and 'cariñena' sweet wine. Ask for the daily dish at lunch time. Busy, it may be requested a reservation.

First place we stopped after touching down to Bilbao. Reasonably priced and fresh ingredients. The octopus tapas and Iberian pork cheek was delicious. Friendly staff, prompt service.

Great place to grab lunch. Almost everything here is delicious and served with great thought

Amazing spot for croquettas and jamon. Probably the best in town. They have good rations so it's a great spot to sit down after some pintxos in the area. Not to be missed!

After traveling around Spain on my motorcycle for two months and trying Tapas throughout the country these are the best gourmet Tapas I have found yet. I got a couple of outstanding tapas a glass of wine and a beer all for just €10.

The combination of great Rioja and amazing pinchos, especially the jamon iberico, make this a great stop. One of the better spots I have been to on multiple trips to Bilbao. It is a must for anyone looking for great appetizers and a cold cerveza or nice glass of wine! Service is good, not great, mostly based on one bad experience on a dozen or so visits.

Really fantastic 7 course dinner for 50 euros. So much food, and different flavours.Look forward to going back again. This trully was amazing. The wine list was large but also reasonable.

Did not disappoint!!!! Went with a a reservation for lunch. Had great reserved table. Started with foigras then on to jamon. Could go on and on.dont miss this place!