Agape, a local affordable restaurant in Bilbao
đŽ Agape: Bilbaoâs Hidden Gem in a Residential Alley (Worth the Detour!) Bilbao, the heart of Spainâs Basque Country, is overflowing with fantastic local eateriesâbut Agape, tucked away in a quiet residential lane, was our tripâs sweetest surprise. What makes it special? A weekday lunch deal so good, itâs been named one of Spainâs top 10 Menu del DĂa (daily menus). Trust us: This is where locals eat, and once you taste it, youâll see why. đ° The Star: âŹ18 Lunch Deal (Yes, Really) For just âŹ18, the Menu del DĂa includes: Starter, main, dessert Drink (wine or water) Bread The result? A feast that leaves you stuffedâliterally eating until you need to waddle out. æ§ä»·æŻäčç (king of value) doesnât even cover it. đ„ The Food: Simple, Fresh, Unforgettable No fancy frills hereâjust solid, flavorful Basque cooking: Starters: We tried squid ink rice and pumpkin soup. The rice? Exceptionalârich, briny, and served with creamy alioli that had us licking the spoon. The soup? Velvety and comforting, a perfect warm-up. Mains: Crispy fried mackerel with eggplant (no fishy aftertasteâjust pure, smoky flavor) and slow-braised ox tongue with sweet potato purĂ©e. The tongue? Fall-apart tender, smothered in a fragrant onion sauce that balanced the richness. Desserts: A highlight for sweet tooths. Their Basque cheesecake, nutty (cheesecake), and tiramisuâall made with goatâs milk cheeseâare game-changers. Creamy, not cloying, with subtle fruit notes that cut through the richness. Better than many dedicated bakeries. đ The Little Extras Vibe: Cozy, with thoughtful design touches that feel homey but polished. Service: The owner is warm and wittyâeven squeezed us in without a reservation, giving us 1.5 hours to enjoy. Locals love it: Packed with residents at lunch, always a good sign. đ Final Thought Agape isnât just a restaurantâitâs a masterclass in why Basque cuisine shines. For âŹ18, you get a meal thatâs delicious, generous, and full of heart. Just remember: Book ahead if you can (itâs popular!), and arrive hungry. This is one hidden gem that lives up to the hype. #BilbaoFoodie #BasqueCuisine #LunchDeal #HiddenGems #SpainTravel