Aizian, The Gastronomic Restaurant At Meliá Bilbao, Wins Its First And Well-deserved Michelin Star
At its much-awaited annual awards held yesterday in Marbella, the prestigious Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2014 presented one of its highly sought-after stars to Aizian, the gastronomic restaurant at Meliá Bilbao.
The Michelin Guide is acknowledging an avant-garde Basque restaurant run by José Miguel Olazabalaga, head chef at Aizian since 2003. This is in recognition of the work of the Basque chef and his team as a whole, as well as the excellence of the restaurant's facilities and services.
Olazabalaga has extensive experience in the world of gastronomy and has honed his skills in such iconic restaurants as Goizeko Kabi, Zalacaín and Andra Mari, with stages at El Bulli. He has always aimed high, resulting in his being awarded the title of Spain's top young chef in 1998 and winning the Premio Pil-Pil for the most imaginative dish.
This serious, modern restaurant is a true exponent of the finest Basque cuisine. Aizian has been designated a "Kilometre Zero" restaurant, due to its use of Slow Food products which are not only organic but also locally produced. Good raw ingredients in a five-star hotel environment.
Traditional cuisine with a modern touch and a well-balanced menu offers tasting menus, every dish of which is a work of art and masterfully presented. The outstanding dishes of delicate squid ribbons with a veil of ink and pumpkin alioli, and the wonderful mussels in vermouth are both examples of the gastronomic quality displayed by José Miguel and his team. And as Olazabalaga is a true expert in cod, we must not forget his chunk of cod confit served with its own tripe and a pumpkin and butter sauce.
The Aizian Restaurant, opened in 2003, has a warm and stylish atmosphere, enhanced by its décor of strips of red cedar and sukupira wood, in the style of a cigar box, and the stunning views of the Doña Casilda Park.
About Melia Hotels International
Rooted in Mallorca (Spain), with a global footprint, Meliá Hotels International has evolved over seven decades into one of the world's leading hospitality groups. Today, we are proud to be recognized as Europe's most sustainable hotel company by S&P Global, and as a Top Employer Large Enterprise 2025, reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and responsible tourism.With a portfolio of over 400 hotels across key destinations worldwide, we deliver differentiated guest experiences through our nine distinct brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. Each brand is designed to meet the evolving expectations of our guests, while staying true to our Mediterranean roots and values.Our strategic focus on sustainability, talent development, and digital transformation continues to position Meliá as a benchmark in the global hospitality industry, driving long-term value for our stakeholders and creating meaningful experiences for millions of travelers around the world. . For more information, please visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com
