Restaurante Marisquería Serantes I

Restaurante Marisquería Serantes I is a traditional Basque fish and seafood restaurant on Poza Lizentziatuaren Kalea in Bilbao’s Abando district. Its cooking centres on seasonal produce, with particular attention given to fish and shellfish sourced from the northern coast. The restaurant’s identity is rooted in classic Basque cuisine rather than modern tasting-menu formats, making it a suitable address for meals built around carefully selected seafood and familiar regional flavours.

The venue combines two distinct ways to dine. The bar provides a more informal setting, while the dining room occupies the upper floor for a conventional restaurant meal. Both areas follow the same culinary offer and service, allowing diners to choose between a livelier bar atmosphere and a more settled table setting. The bar is also associated with Bilbao’s tradition of eating rabas, making it a natural option for a casual stop in the city.

Seafood remains central, but the kitchen extends beyond marisquería in the narrow sense. The broader style includes traditional preparations of fish, rice dishes, meat and other ingredients connected with Basque cooking. The menu changes with the seasons, and the restaurant places emphasis on the quality of the raw material rather than elaborate presentation. That approach gives Serantes I a classic, produce-led character.

The dining room suits visitors looking for a more formal meal, while the bar works well for a shorter or less structured visit. The atmosphere is traditional and sociable, reflecting the restaurant’s long connection with Bilbao’s food culture. A considered wine selection accompanies the cooking, with attention to pairings for both seafood and meat.

Serantes I can appeal to travellers exploring Bilbao’s central districts, as well as diners comparing Basque seafood addresses during a wider trip through northern Spain. For visitors moving between Bilbao and San Sebastian, it offers a distinctly Bilbao setting centred on regional cooking, a busy bar and a dedicated dining room. Takeaway service is also available, with rice dishes given a particular place in the off-site offering.