Mina

Bilbao is not an easy place in which to make a name for yourself when it comes to food, however it is here that chef Álvaro Garrido decided to set up shop in a discreet building along the estuary, opposite the Ribera market. The pleasantly surprising interior decor of this restaurant, which owes its name to a former mine entrance that once existed beneath the building, features an open kitchen and a fusion of stone and wood (the bar is a single piece of oak) that combine with cutting-edge designer detail. Ably supported by his wife Lara Martín, the chef conjures up innovative cuisine with a hint of fusion influence on a single tasting menu (choose between a shorter and longer version). The cuisine is overtly seasonal, championing ingredients sourced from local suppliers, something that is strongly visible in dishes such as the seasonal tuna with codium or the delicious cod tripe with a smoked salsa and oyster mushroom. Take a seat at the counter to watch the chefs hard at work.