Best Pintxos Route in Bilbao

Are you in Bilbao and feeling hungry? It's time to eat! But before we dive into the delicious offerings of this Basque city, let us confess our unconditional love for Bilbao and, of course, its pintxos. This city knows how to captivate us, and I speak from experience, having traveled frequently to the Basque Country for work, indulging in more food than I care to admit. Now, it's time to share some must-visit places with you, so here comes a fabulous route of the best pintxos in Bilbao.

* You can also check out our recommendations for restaurants where you can eat well and affordably in Bilbao.

If you’re new to the Basque Country or unfamiliar with the concept, let’s explain it in two lines. A pintxo is a small serving of delicious food that accompanies a drink. It's not a free tapa; in fact, pintxos usually range from €2 to €4, and they are downright addictive!

Typically, the routine involves a bar-hopping adventure, where you order the house pintxo (or whatever you fancy at that moment) at each stop. A zurito of beer or a glass of txacolí pairs perfectly with your pintxo, but don’t worry if you prefer a Coke—welcome to the wonderful world of pintxo-pote!

Tip: Join a free tour of Bilbao to discover every corner of the historic district.

In Bilbao, you’ll find several pintxo areas, such as Plaza Nueva, Calle Ledesma, and Calle Santa María, but honestly, wherever you go, you won’t leave hungry. We promise you that!

Ready? Here’s the route of the best pintxos in Bilbao:

Gure Toki: A Perfect Start

Located in the heart of Plaza Nueva, Gure Toki is a fantastic place to kick off your pintxo-pote journey. However, beware! The pintxos are so delicious and varied that you might want to start and end your route here. You’ll feel like you’re indulging in high cuisine in bite-sized portions—try to resist the temptation; there are many more bars to explore.

Recommended pintxos: While we’d love to say all of them, do not miss the Idiazábal cheese soup with quail egg (or with octopus). If you’re in the mood for something sweet, order the cheesecake.

Sorginzulo: A Step Away

You won’t have to walk far to enjoy another legendary local spot, Sorginzulo, literally just steps away! This bar offers a wide selection of pintxos to please every palate and has won several awards, so you know you’re in good hands. It’s a place I frequented with my work colleagues.

Recommended pintxos: Try the sirloin with foie. And don’t miss the 'patatas canalla' and 'squid with alioli'—they are divine!

Café Bar Bilbao: A Bilbao Institution

Staying in Plaza Nueva, we move to Café Bar Bilbao, another staple of the city. This establishment has been serving locals and visitors alike for years, and it’s easy to see why.

Recommended pintxos: Go for the cod pil-pil pintxo and the calamari.

Bar Bacaicoa: Spicy Delights

If you’re craving a good chorizo al infierno (chorizo cooked with peppers), head over to Bar Bacaicoa. A zurito and a chorizo pintxo make for a winning combination! Just be cautious—it’s spicy, so don’t forget your drink!

Recommended pintxos: Chorizo al infierno and 'champignon a la gloria' (with secret sauce).

Bar Fermín: Classic Pintxos

I must admit that I’m not a fan of gildas (a skewer with olive, anchovy, and chili), but as one of the most typical pintxos of the Basque Country, you have to try it! They say this place serves some of the best gildas in Bilbao.

Recommended pintxo: Gilda.

Bar Restaurante Baste: Mussel Heaven

Short and sweet: this is the place to come for one of the best stuffed mussels in the world.

Recommended pintxo: Stuffed mussel.

Melilla y Fez: A Must-Visit

A classic stop on any pintxo route in Bilbao, especially to savor their house specialty: the pincho moruno (€2.50), probably one of the most delicious you’ll ever taste. It has a slightly spicy touch that’s simply delightful. Another legendary pincho moruno can be found at Café Iruña.

Recommended pintxo: Pincho moruno.

Bar El Eme: Crossing the River

We cross the Bilbao River to enter the Abando neighborhood, which is home to several iconic establishments. Among them, Bar El Eme is a must-visit where you’ll want to order the "triángulo" (which is actually square)—a sandwich made with homemade bread, ham, lettuce, mayonnaise, and a delicious secret sauce. I haven’t tried the 'torre,' which is similar but replaces the ham with anchovies.

Recommended pintxo: Triángulo.

Bar Nashville Bilbao: Tortilla Lovers Unite

This bar consistently ranks among the best places to try the best tortilla pintxo in Bilbao. Located in Indautxu, its potato omelet is juicy (if you prefer it well-cooked, this might not be your spot). I’ve also heard great things about the squid tortilla from Aritz, which has many fans, and the one from Salón de Juego Concha 1.

Recommended pintxo: Tortilla de patatas.

El Huevo Frito: Generous Offerings

Located in Indautxu, this restaurant features an abundant selection of pintxos, with quail eggs being the stars of the show (hence the name of the place).

Recommended pintxo: Cazuelita of broken eggs with Iberian ham.

Extra: Con B de Bilbao

This establishment is on our bucket list as we haven’t been yet, but we’re sure that our next pintxo route will start there. Amazing reviews abound!

This is our route of the best pintxos in Bilbao, although there are countless more, and we’re sure we’ve forgotten some essential stops. If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment and help us enhance this route 😉

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