Basque Food Guides & Local Recommendations

Neighbourhood bar with a benchmark tortilla—creamy center, perfect with a small beer.

Area: Centro

Order: Tortilla de patata

Best for: Breakfast or early lunch (12:00)

Price: €

Another tortilla favourite—slightly custardy, very moreish.

Area: Centro

Order: Tortilla + beer or a glass of wine

Best for: Quick bite standing at the bar

Price: €

Traditional vibe and reliable bar food; locals’ stop.

Area: Centro

Order:Tortilla, classics from the counter

Best for: Old-school ambiance

Price: €

Old-school feel with a long counter and plenty of choice; reliable, unfussy, tasty.

Area: Parte Vieja

Order: Classic pintxos from the bar, ask for the warm ones

Best for: A traditional stop mid-route

Price: €€

Modern pintxo bar facing great energy, fast turnover, consistently good hot plates.

Area: Parte Vieja

Order: Beef cheek (carrillera), daily specials

Best for: First-timers who want the “wow, this is San Sebastian” moment

Price: €€

Small, always-busy spot where classics get a polished twist.

Area: Parte Vieja (Old Town)

Order: Prawn ravioli, oxtail crisp (crujiente de rabo de buey), scallop, tortilla

Best for: A couple of standout bites + glass of txakoli

Price: €€

Underrated, honest tortilla and friendly service.

Area: Centro

Order: Tortilla

Best for: Low-key breakfast

Price: €

Counter packed with winners; famous txangurro pintxo.

Area: Centro

Order: Foie pintxo, txangurro

Best for: Award-winning classics

Price: €€

For jamón and cold cuts—grab, nibble, and keep walking.

Area: Casco Viejo

Order: Jamón on bread

Best for: A salty, simple stop

Price: €–€€

Micro menu, huge fame. Two things rule: tomato salad and the steak. Queue, order, smile.

Area: Parte Vieja

Order: Chuletón (steak), tomato salad

Best for: Sharing a big steak at the bar

Price: €€€

Tiny kitchen, big flavours; iconic small plates cooked to order.

Area: Parte Vieja

Order: Pork belly, veal cheeks, foie

Best for: A couple of warm plates between pintxo stops

Price: €€

Classic counter with plenty of seafood options and hot bites.

Area: Parte Vieja

Order: Grilled prawns, cod bites, the day’s seafood pintxos

Best for: Variety lovers

Price: €€

Bilbao institution: jamón temple + elevated pintxos; book if you want a table.

Area: Centro

Order: Egg with foie, carrillera, Joselito 270º

Best for: Smart pintxos with a glass of Rioja

Price: €€

Inside the market—buzzing, photogenic, lots of options.

Area: Casco Viejo

Order: Daily pintxos / seafood bites

Best for: Mix-and-match in a lively setting

Price: €–€€

Classic old-town bar with reliable hot pintxos.

Area: Casco Viejo

Order: Warm pintxos from the board

Best for: Traditional flavours

Price: €€

Slow-cooked dishes and seasonal plates; rustic, rich, comforting.

Area: Parte Vieja

Order: Risotto (orzo), pork ribs, veal cheeks

Best for: Hearty flavours in small portions

Price: €€

The original Basque cheesecake—burnt top, creamy core. Pilgrimage material.

Area: Parte Vieja

Order: Basque cheesecake slice

Best for: Sweet finish to the route

Price: €€

Pintxos and sit-down plates; good if you want to linger.

Area: Centro

Order: Seasonal pintxos, raciones

Best for: Groups who want a table

Price: €€

Known for the tosta de jamón on pan de cristal.

Area: Centro

Order: Tosta de jamón

Best for: A savoury, crunchy stop

Price: €€

Temple of grilled meat; go straight for the steak.

Area: Centro

Order: Chuletón

Best for: Meat lovers

Price: €€

Great value local cooking; simple and well done.

Area: Centro

Order: Daily menu / house specials

Best for: Budget-friendly sit-down

Price: €

Quality-price hero; friendly room, solid plates.

Area: Centro

Order: Seasonal dishes

Best for: Casual lunch/dinner

Price: €€

One of our favourites: generous portions, upbeat vibe.

Area: Centro

Order: House specials to share

Best for: Groups & comfort food

Price: €

Seafood institution; the fish soup is legendary.

Area: Centro

Order: Fish soup, daily catch

Best for: Classic seafood lunch

Price: €€€

Michelin-starred, 20 min by car; traditional Basque cuisine at its most refined.

Area: Galdakao (near Bilbao)

Order: Tasting menu / seasonal dishes

Best for: Special occasion

Price: €€€€

The city’s most famous steakhouse—cuts, ageing, ritual.

Area: Centro

Order: Chuletón

Best for: A splurge steak night

Price: €€€