Olio

Olio is a restaurant at The Artist Gran Hotel on Alameda de Mazarredo in Bilbao’s Abando district. Its culinary identity brings together Basque and French influences, with a focus on local producers, seasonal ingredients and carefully handled raw materials. The restaurant presents dining as both a meal and a considered sensory experience.

Olive oil provides a central thread. It is treated not only as an essential kitchen ingredient but also as a link to the hotel’s artistic character, with the cooking described through the language of colour, tone and composition. That idea gives the restaurant a creative style without moving away from the produce itself.

The menu is built around authenticity and imagination, using seasonal ingredients to develop dishes that aim to stimulate the senses. The approach reflects the wider food culture of the Basque Country while incorporating French technique and a more refined, artistic presentation. The result is suited to diners interested in a structured gastronomic experience rather than a casual meal.

Wine forms an important part of the offering. The selection brings together bottles from respected plots and different Spanish denominations of origin, providing a considered match for the food. The combination of regional produce, Basque-French influences, olive oil and selected wines gives Olio a clear sense of place while allowing room for creative interpretation.

As a hotel restaurant, Olio offers a polished setting for a special meal, a food-focused occasion or an evening connected with Bilbao’s cultural side. The restaurant is also a suitable stop for travellers exploring the city alongside San Sebastian, particularly those drawn to seasonal cooking and the relationship between food and art. Reservations are available, and larger parties follow a more defined format, with the tasting menu offered for groups of seven or more. Olio suits diners who value provenance, technique and a dining experience that gives equal attention to ingredients, presentation and atmosphere.