Café Iruña — Restaurant in Bilbao

1 Star

Unfortunately, my experience here was incredibly disappointing, and I ended up leaving before the main course. From the moment I sat down, the service was off. My table wasn’t properly set—just two forks and a napkin—while other tables around me had full settings. When I asked for the same, the waiter seemed annoyed. There was also some confusion about whether they had a set menu, and asking about it only seemed to irritate the waiter more.

To make matters worse, I was told I needed to “choose quickly” because they would be closing soon, despite it only being 22:45 and their listed closing time being midnight. If there wasn’t time to give me a good experience, I would have preferred not to be seated at all.

The second waiter was nicer, but couldn’t make up for the poor service. When my first course (lamb sweetbreads with garlic, parsley, and truffle parmentier) arrived, it was clear it wasn’t fresh—the dish came out far too quickly. The sweetbreads tasted more like fast food than anything thoughtfully prepared, and the truffle was completely missing from the parmentier. The whole dish was covered in a salty brown sauce that was hard to identify and impossible to enjoy. Having spent time in the Basque Country, this felt like an insult to the rich culinary tradition.

After trying a third of the dish, I canceled my main course. The first waiter seemed surprised that I didn’t want to finish, but the final straw was when he ignored my request for the bill. At one point, he stormed by, slapped my table, and mumbled something I couldn’t understand. After waiting for a few more minutes, I flagged him down again and asked for the bill. That’s when he laughed and told me that the slap on the table was meant to indicate “everything is okay.” I told him I didn’t understand that, and he brushed it off as if it was nothing.

This experience was deeply frustrating, and I left feeling unwelcome, especially as a solo diner. Hopefully, the restaurant can improve its service, because the way it operates right now is far from what it...

As I approached the tapas bar, I could already smell the aroma of smoked paprika and garlic wafting out onto the street. It was as if the culinary gods themselves had blessed this establishment with their divine touch.

Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the ambiance. The perfect lighting and intimate setting gave the impression that I had stumbled upon a secret rendezvous spot for Spanish spies during the Civil War. The décor was rustic and charming, with wooden tables and chairs that looked as if they had been salvaged from a shipwreck off the coast of Galicia.

The menu was an encyclopedia of Basque cuisine, with every dish more mouth-watering than the last. I started with a plate of gambas al ajillo, shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil. The gambas were plump and succulent, with a garlicky kick that made my taste buds stand at attention.

Next up was the tortilla española, a potato omelet made with potatoes and onions. It was perfectly executed, with a fluffy texture that was a delight to sink my teeth into. I could taste the love and care that went into each bite, as if the chef had whispered sweet nothings into the omelet's ear as it cooked.

Finally, I indulged in a plate of patatas bravas, crispy fried potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce. The potatoes were perfectly cooked, with a crispy exterior and a soft and fluffy interior. The tomato sauce was like a fiery flamenco dance in my mouth, leaving me breathless and begging for more.

Overall, this tapas bar was a symphony of flavor and texture, a feast for the senses that left me feeling satisfied and exhilarated. If you're in the mood for an authentic taste of Spain, this place is a must-visit. Just be sure to bring your appetite and a doctorate-level vocabulary to fully appreciate the culinary...

👍🏽👍🏽 Practically perfect in every way. The dining room is stunning, pre fixe lunch may be the best deal in Spain (€21.50 for 3 LARGE courses + unlimited drinks, including 🍷wine or 🍺beer), and the service is attentive (+ speedy if you need it to be). The front room is standing only to order small bites or drinks (it’s crowded at lunch time). Go to the dining room for the pre fixe menu.

Good for singles or groups up to six without reservation for lunch (you may have to wait, but it’s well worth it!) ✅🍆Vegetarian options on pre fixe too.

✅♿️ fully wheelchair accessible entrance, dining, and bathroom. Good lighting. Not too loud.

🍅 🐟 🍰 Gazpacho was delish, as was the fish & the pork knuckle (hearty portions too!), but the highlight was dessert. The arroz con leche was the smoothest I’ve ever tasted (as we live in Mexico, birthplace of the rice pudding!) and the red berry tart was pillowy marscapone cheese topped with fresh jam—what’s not to love! I want to return to try the bruled pineapple carpaccio 🍍😋. The pre fixe menu includes the drink of your choice and that drink is unlimited (I don’t believe you can switch drinks, so choose wisely). 🍷 Rioja wine was inoffensive and paired well with the meal — waiter left me the entire bottle and I had 3 glasses, all included in the €21.50 pre fixe lunch. My wife got the beer, which was superb—so refreshing! They also offer a white wine and bottled water.

Pro Tip: 🍰For pre fixe lunch menu, desserts are large enough to share and you’ll want to try them all, so if you’re here with a group, order one of each and everyone else can swap dessert for an espresso at the same price ☕️

Note to Management: your staff is superb. Helpful, polite, and speedy. Thank...