Discovering the Best Pintxos in Bilbao: A Culinary Journey
Planning a trip to Basque Country? Prepare your taste buds! This region is world-renowned for its innovative culinary scene and the locals’ deep passion for gastronomy. If you’re visiting Bilbao, Spain, prepare to be amazed by the sheer variety and deliciousness of pintxos. Here’s your guide to finding some of the very best pintxos that Bilbao has to offer.
Basque Country is truly the heartland of pintxos, and Bilbao is a fantastic place to experience this unique culinary tradition. These small, skewered bites are a cornerstone of Basque culture, offering a delightful explosion of flavors in every mouthful.
During our previous adventure in San Sebastian, Spain, we were captivated by the incredible range of pintxos on offer. Our visit coincided with the TBEX Europe travel bloggers conference, providing us with a fantastic opportunity to sample some of the best pintxos San Sebastian had to offer. The experience was simply unforgettable!
Following our time in San Sebastian, our culinary explorations continued as we ventured north to the vibrant city of Bilbao. Alain and I dedicated two nights and three days to exploring Bilbao’s gastronomic delights through separate excursions. I was fortunate enough to participate in a FAM tour as part of the TBEX conference, generously hosted by the Basque Country Tourism Board, who covered the expenses of my trip. This provided a unique insight into the region’s culinary scene.
Over the course of our three days in Bilbao, Spain, we immersed ourselves in the city’s culinary landscape, savoring the diverse offerings of its pintxos bars, restaurants, and cafes. We ate and drank our way through the city, discovering hidden gems and experiencing the true essence of Basque cuisine. Continue reading to discover our favorite spots and where we unearthed the very best pintxos that Bilbao has to offer.
What are Pintxos? A Basque Culinary Tradition
Traditional pintxos are essentially ready-to-eat snacks, often served on a slice of crusty bread and secured with a skewer. These delectable small bites are displayed prominently on the counters of restaurants and bars throughout Basque Country, tempting patrons with their colorful and diverse ingredients.
Pintxos are a relatively recent culinary innovation, having emerged in the 1940s as a way to encourage more people to visit restaurants and bars and to promote socializing among locals. The word “pintxos” originates from the Spanish word “pinchar,” meaning “to pierce.” This refers to the skewer or cocktail stick that holds the various components of the pintxo together.
Bilbao Pintxos: A Culinary Exploration
Most pintxos bars offer a selection of the most popular and classic pintxos, while also showcasing their own unique creations and variations. This allows visitors to experience familiar flavors while also discovering new and exciting combinations. You’ll often find these traditional pintxos at nearly every bar or restaurant:
- Gilda: A simple yet iconic skewer featuring anchovy, olive, and pickled pepper, delivering a burst of salty, briny, and spicy flavors.
- Tortilla de Patatas: The classic Spanish omelette, a comforting and satisfying bite made with potatoes and eggs.
- Txangurro: Spider crab, often served in its shell or as a filling for pastries, offering a taste of the sea.
- Txuleta: Grilled beef steak, a hearty and flavorful option for meat lovers, showcasing the quality of Basque beef.
We embarked on a memorable pintxos bar crawl as part of our tour with the Basque Country Tourism Board, visiting three fantastic establishments. Additionally, Alain and I ventured out on our own to explore another highly recommended pintxos bar. Here’s a glimpse into our experiences:
Berton: A Taste of Tradition
Our pintxo tour, organized by the Basque Country Tourism Board, began at Berton pintxos bar on our final night in Bilbao. Berton, nestled in the heart of Casco Viejo, Bilbao’s Old Town, is known for its vibrant atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. The bar itself is renowned for its commitment to using high-quality ingredients and preserving traditional Basque flavors.
At Berton, we indulged in the classic Bacalao al Pil-Pil (Cod in Pil-Pil Sauce). This dish features salted cod prepared in a traditional Basque pil-pil sauce made with garlic, olive oil, and chili. The sauce is emulsified through a gentle swirling motion, creating a creamy and flavorful coating for the cod.
We also savored Wagyu beef sliders topped with peppers. The beef was incredibly tender, and the peppers were bursting with flavor – offering a delightful sweetness rather than overpowering heat. It was a delicious combination of textures and tastes.
The pintxos at Berton range in price from €2.00 to €5.00 each, offering an affordable way to experience high-quality Basque cuisine.
Address: Calle Jardines, 11, 48005 Bilbao, Spain
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Sunday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Berton website.
Toma Y Daka: A Plaza Nueva Gem
Our next stop on the pintxos bar crawl was Toma Y Daka, situated in Old Town’s historic Plaza Nueva. This charming square is surrounded by narrow, lively streets and showcases the stunning traditional Basque architecture. Plaza Nueva is a hub of activity, making it an ideal location for a pintxos bar.
Similar to many pintxos bars, Toma Y Daka offers various seating options to accommodate different preferences. While it might seem crowded at first, venturing further into the restaurant often reveals additional seating areas. There are tall tables outside where you can stand and savor your pintxos while soaking in the atmosphere. You can also find seating at and around the bar area, as well as more traditional restaurant seating downstairs.
At Toma Y Daka, we enjoyed a pintxo that was a miniature version of albondigas, the classic Spanish meatball dish. It was served with a side of crispy French fries, adding a playful touch to the experience. We also sampled a delicious tuna fish pintxo, perfectly seasoned and bursting with flavor.
The pintxos at Toma Y Daka typically cost between €2.00 and €5.00, providing an affordable and delicious culinary experience.
Address: Calle Jardines, 11, 48005 Bilbao, Spain
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Update: It has been reported that Toma y Daka has permanently closed as of 2025. It’s always a good idea to check the latest information before planning your visit.
La Olla de la Plaza Nueva: Award-Winning Innovation
Just a few steps away from Toma Y Daka, we discovered La Olla de la Plaza Nueva. This pintxos bar and restaurant has garnered numerous awards over the years for its innovative and creative approach to pintxos. Their “KIRIKIÑU” sea urchin pintxo was even a finalist in the prestigious Bizkaia Pintxos Championship, a testament to their culinary excellence.
At La Olla, we savored a delectable pork belly pintxo with a teriyaki glaze, complemented by fresh pico de gallo, crispy fried onions, a creamy aioli, and topped with flavorful patron peppers. The combination of sweet, savory, and spicy elements was simply divine.
They also offer a unique sweet and savory pintxo featuring salmon and mango coulis, served in a dish shaped like an egg. This playful presentation and the unexpected flavor combination make it a memorable culinary experience.
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the La Olla restaurant website.
Abando Bar & Restaurant: A Modern Culinary Experience
On our final day in Bilbao, Alain and I explored Abando Bar & Restaurant, a bustling establishment located in the Abando district of Bilbao.
Abando is a vibrant pintxos bar and restaurant that caters to both the business community and tourists alike. The Abando district itself is an upscale and centrally located neighborhood known for its harmonious blend of modern and historical elements.
The area is bustling with shops, businesses, and cultural sites, and is conveniently located near major attractions such as the Guggenheim Museum and Plaza Moyúa. This makes Abando a perfect spot for both locals and visitors to enjoy the city’s culinary offerings.
At Abando, you can enjoy a wide array of pintxos at the bar. They are particularly known for serving some of the city’s best Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician Style Octopus), Bacalao a la Vizcaína (Cod in Vizcaina Sauce), and Rabas (Fried Calamari).
During our visit, we indulged in the Gambas a la Plancha (Grilled Prawns). These fresh prawns were expertly grilled with olive oil, garlic, and parsley, and served on a small piece of toasted bread, creating a simple yet flavorful pintxo.
We also ordered a couple of Mini Beef Burger with Caramelized Onions pintxos. These featured a small beef patty topped with sweet caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a touch of mustard, all served on a miniature bun. It was a satisfying and delicious bite.
Most pintxos at Abando range in price from €3.00 to €6.00 each.
Address: Alameda Urquijo, 13, 48008 Bilbao, Spain
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
For more information or to make reservations, please visit the restaurant website.
Book a Bilbao Pintxos Tour
To fully immerse yourself in the pintxos culture of Bilbao, consider booking a guided pintxos tour. These tours offer a fantastic opportunity to learn about the history and traditions behind pintxos, discover hidden gems, and sample a variety of delicious bites with the guidance of a local expert.
A pintxos tour is an excellent way to experience the best of Bilbao’s culinary scene and create lasting memories.
Explore More of Spain
Bilbao is just one gem in the crown of Spain. Consider extending your travels to other regions to discover the diverse culinary landscape and rich cultural heritage that Spain has to offer.
From the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the historic cities of Andalusia, there is something to captivate every traveler. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the flavors, sights, and sounds of this incredible country.
We hope you have a fantastic time exploring the pintxos scene in Bilbao! If you visit any of these spots, we’d love to hear about your experience. Be sure to tag us on social media using @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. Happy travels and bon appétit!