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Pintxos and Beyond: The Best Restaurants in Bilbao

Exploring Bilbao’s food scene is a journey through centuries of Basque culture and heritage. From historic pintxos bars in the medieval Casco Viejo, to family restaurants preserving recipes passed down through generations, and Michelin-starred chefs – food is at the heart of life in Bilbao. Dishes have even become the stuff of legends, such as the beloved cod pintxos which is said to have saved the people of Bilbao during the Carlist siege. 

For Slow Cyclists looking to extend their stay in Spanish Basque Country, Bilbao is an excellent city to sample a huge array of local cuisine.

Here are just some of the best food spots and restaurants in Bilbao. 

Pintxos Bars

The heart of Bilbao’s food scene lies in its pintxos bars, where small elaborate bites showcase the region’s culinary creativity. There’s no better way to witness the ebb and flow of this historic city than by moving from bar to bar, having a small bite and drink at each stop.

Café Bar Bilbao

Cafe Bar Bilbao is a quintessential pintxos bar with plenty of local charm and a vibrant mosaic interior. They serve much loved classics such as bacalao (salted cod), gildas (anchovies and pickled peppers) and tortillas as well as larger raciones (portions).

Victor Montes

Originally built in 1879, inside you can feel the history of the Basque people. Victor Montes offers a delicious selection of pintxos to enjoy while watching the world go by from terraces looking down on the Plaza Nueva.

Mercado de la Ribera

Originally built in 1929, the Ribera market (pictured below) is one of the largest covered markets in Europe. There are countless small bars with terraces that look out onto the estuary. It’s the perfect place to hop from one pintxos bar to another tasting the various dishes on offer, of which there are many. 

La Viña del Ensanche

La Viña del Ensanche is one of the oldest bars in Bilbao and has long been known for its speciality of stewed pork cheek and egg.

Xukela

Xukela is a charming bar attached to the old stock market building. Its captivating authentic décor adds to its welcoming atmosphere. In addition to the classics, they serve a range of innovative pintxos.

Mercado de la Ribera, a great food spot in Bilbao

Sit-Down Restaurants

Enol

Bilbao is synonymous with fresh seafood and nowhere does it better than Enol. Enol is a small restaurant in the heart of the centre that has become a classic due to its delicious seafood dishes that never disappoint. There are plenty to choose from but the rodaballo is our particular favourite.

Amaren

Amaren is a world-renowned steak house and for good reason. You are able to hand-pick your steak from a wide selection of cuts and even breeds of beef. It truly is a temple for meat lovers.

Rio Oja

Rio Oja is a classical Basque restaurant, which specialises in traditional meals such as casseroles, cod, stewed meats and squid. Being a family run restaurant means you have the chance to gain a deep insight into the traditions that make this cuisine so unique.

La Barraca

You can’t visit Spain without eating your fill of paella and some claim that La Barraca serves the best paella in Bilbao.

Guggenheim Musuem, Bilbao, home to Nerua Restaurant and some of the best food in the Basque Country

Fine Dining

Nerua

Situated in the iconic Guggenheim Museum, at Nerua you can enjoy a menu inspired by nature, using seasonal ingredients from vegetable gardens, farms and the sea.

Restaurant Mina

This Michelin-starred restaurant is a member of the Slow Food movement. Its tasting menu is built around local flavours and ingredients that represent Bilbao’s close relationship to the ocean.

Ola Martin Berasategui

Another Michelin-starred restaurant, Ola features creative dishes with flavours steeped in Basque roots. Its dishes are equally matched by an impressive wine cellar.

Traditional Pintxos in Bilbao, Spanish Basque Country

If you’d like to explore Spanish Basque Country and its excellent food, join us on a journey from Rioja to Biscay. Contact us to find out more. 

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Pintxos, Spanish tapas, in the Ribera Market (Mercado de la Ribera) in Bilbao, Spanish Basque Country

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