Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao

In the heart of Bilbao’s unrivalled centerpiece, the world-famous Guggenheim art museum of Frank Gehry, we find one of the city’s finest haute cuisine establishments. The ultra-modern Nerua restaurant, not to be confused with the Bistro Guggenheim, is captained by talented young chef Josean Alija and located right next to Richard Serra’s colossal piece The Matter of Time. The venue prides itself on its innovative gastronomic creations and makes a pronounced effort to lead its diners through every stage of their culinary quest.

The titanium hulk that is the Guggenheim would cast a long shadow over any other restaurant, but under the direction of chef Josean Alija (alumni of El Bullí), Nerua’s plates rival the levels of artistic technique in the neighbouring museum. Nerua has chosen a different route to its one-Michelin stardom, passing over expensive proteins in favour of the humble vegetable. Expect rule-breaking combinations, like the Norwegian lobster-pig ear dish, garnished by onion jus and tarragon, and meticulous, austere plating.

Restaurants such as Boroa Jatetxea, Etxanobe, Etxebarri, Nerua Guggenheim, Zortziko, Andra Mari and Zarate offer exquisite dining experiences, as well as gourmet Basque-style cuisine. To really splash out, book a table at Azurmendi, the only restaurant in the city with three Michelin stars. Headed by chef Eneko Atxa, it was named as the world’s 16th best restaurant in 2016 and serves up international cuisine using homegrown produce from its own rooftop vegetable garden.

The Museo Guggenheim Bilbao’s Michelin-starred, modernist, white and ultraminimalist restaurant is under the direction of chef Josean Alija (a disciple of…

I hjertet av Bilbao's uovertrufne midtpunkt, det verdensberømte Guggenheim kunstmuseum i Frank Gehry, finner vi en av byens fineste haute cuisine etablissementer. Den ultramoderne Nerua-restauranten, for ikke å bli forvekslet med Bistro Guggenheim, er kaptein av talentfull ung kokk Josean Alija og ligger like ved Richard Serra's kolossale stykke The Time of Time . Spillestedet er stolt av sine innovative gastronomiske kreasjoner og gjør en stor innsats for å lede sine dinners gjennom alle stadier av deres kulinariske søken.

Chef Josean Alija is one of the great masters of sauces and broths and they play a prominent role on Nerua’s menu that reflects seasonality, showcases local produce, and is all about the purity of the product with no visual contamination. A lot like the bright, open dining room set inside the stunning Guggenheim museum, overlooking the mists that creep up to your window. It’s a brainy, thought through cuisine, one that commands attention to subtle nuances that make up Alija’s genius.

Ubicado en el espectacular Museo Guggenheim, el restaurante Nerua —término latino con el que se conoce la ría de Nervión— es la casa del cocinero Josean Alija, con estrella Michelin desde 2012. El menú del restaurante está compuesto por platos que utilizan ingredientes locales y de temporada y que se renueva varias veces a lo largo del año. Sin embargo, no se evitan los toques exóticos en las creaciones si llegan para sumar y ayudar a convertir cada plato en una obra de arte.

The Guggenheim’s in-house restaurant is a one-star Michelin venue occupying an elegant minimalist space overlooking the river (entered by way of the kitchen). It specialises in seasonal and tasting menus with wine pairings as well as a carte. Founded in 2011 as a conscious gastronomic complement to the Museum, Nerua has developed a cuisine rooted in the best local produce and the know-how of an experienced team under the guidance of chef Josean Alija (above).

Welcome to the stunning Nervión riverfront, where an architectural miracle stands tall, enticing art lovers and bewildering pigeons alike. Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao is an avant-garde masterpiece, as if a once-drunken steel giant decided to take up yoga and adopted a graceful, asymmetrical pose. Inside, you'll find a delightful fusion of contemporary artwork and gastronomy, giving you a taste of culture that will make your taste buds skip a beat.

Nestled within the iconic Guggenheim Museum, Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao is a sanctuary of cutting-edge Spanish gastronomy. Under the guidance of Chef Josean Alija, the restaurant offers a minimalist, ingredient-focused approach to Basque cuisine. The seasonal set menus are a testament to Alija's playful brilliance, featuring dishes like baby squid lacquered with sweet onion and stewed abalone and octopus.

Nerua takes its name from the Nervión River, meaning the backbone of Bilbao, a place where the salty Atlantic ocean mixes with the freshwater river, often resulting in dynamic chemical conditions. In the same way, Chef Josean Alija recreates a similar dynamic blend by combining innovation with traditional Basque flavours. The result, dazzling dishes with depth and a nuanced play with vegetables.

A post shared by Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao (@neruaguggenheimbilbao). Bilbao’s star cultural attraction, the Guggenheim museum, also has a restaurant that treats food like art. The vegetable- and seafood-forward menu changes three times a year to prioritize seasonal ingredients according to the spring, summer, and fall-winter bounty.

Nestled within the iconic Guggenheim Museum, this Michelin-starred dining destination is a true masterpiece in its own right. Led by renowned chef Josean Alija, Nerua offers a gastronomic experience like no other. The moment you step inside Nerua, you are enveloped in an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication.

It only took the prodigy chef Josean Alija a few months to win his first Michelin star at this elegant fine-dining venue in the Guggenheim Bilbao. Alija won accolades early in his career for creating prize-winning dishes like whipped milk-protein ice cream with candied violets, or…

In addition to exhibition spaces, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has a visitor orientation room, the "Zero Espazioa", an auditorium with 300 seats, a souvenir shop and a bookshop, a cafe, a bistro-style restaurant and the gourmet "Nerua" restaurant that has one Michelin star.

Description: Located inside the Guggenheim Museum, Nerua offers sophisticated Basque cuisine by chef Josean Alija. The minimalist decor complements the artistic dishes, which change with the seasons. Signature Dishes: White asparagus with black garlic, hake kokotxas.

Nerua, the restaurant located inside the famed Guggenheim Museum, has moved up and down on the global list. Chef Josean Alija serves modern dishes based on local produce, which the top Basque restaurants are known for. Its museum location is part of the appeal.

For this trip, we had a friend’s endorsement of Chef Josean Ajila’s handiwork, so my husband booked a table at Nerúa Guggenheim to celebrate my birthday. Our meal coincided with our visit to the museum, and proved a marvelous way to celebrate a special event!

Nerua restaurant takes its name from the Nervión River which in ancient Latin was called Nerva. Located in the heart of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum and with beautiful views to the river, it is a space designed for a gastronomic and cultural experience.

Located inside the Guggenheim Museum, Nerua offers a creative and contemporary approach to Basque cuisine. The restaurant’s minimalist decor and stunning views of the museum’s atrium create a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

The list of restaurants with one star is completed by: Marqués de Riscal, Kokotxa, Zarate, Alameda, Zortziko, Etxebarri, Txispa, Mina, Nerua, Ola Martín Berasategui, Andra Mari, Alameda and Eneko.

The rooftop bars in Bilbao are also gaining popularity, with options like the Guggenheim Bilbao Restaurant and the Azkuna Zentroa Rooftop Terrace offering stunning views of the city.

Furthermore, Nerua– located within the Guggenheim in Bilbao – appears on the 51-100 list at No.56, while Martin Berasategui in nearby Lasarte-Oria is ranked No.77.

I also like to go to Casco Viejo, the old part of Bilbao, for some beers. Bilbao’s food scene is also becoming more vibrant. It’s a great place to go for pintxos.

Chef Josean Alija bets on “a free style cuisine” that combines roots and culture adapted to an avant-garde context.”. neruaguggenheimbilbao.com

If you’re up for it, make your way to Nerua - a Michelin-star restaurant inside the Guggenheim Museum. Just be sure to book in advance.

Set in the probably the most iconic building and museum in Bilbao, Nerua aims to bring art to the Guggenheim through its food.