Paella and Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Our paella & Basque cheesecake it’s a true hands-on experience. Local wine, cook two different types of paella, and the iconic Burnt Basque Cheesecake from scratch.
Crustless cheesecake baked in parchment at high heat until the surface caramelises almost black and the centre stays soft and barely set. Pure cream cheese, sugar, eggs, cream and a whisper of flour; nothing more.
Tarta de queso was invented at La Vina restaurant in San Sebastian in 1990 by Santiago Rivera. The crustless burnt-top format went viral globally in the 2010s. Bilbao adopted it across every pintxo bar; Gure Toki, La Camelia and Berton all run notable versions, with Gure Toki's pintxo-sized one slice the local cult.
4 editor picks for Tarta de Queso (Basque Burnt Cheesecake) in Bilbao, ranked by editorial score. All Bilbao signature dishes · Tarta de Queso (Basque Burnt Cheesecake) across every city.
Gure Toki ★ 4.4
Plaza Nueva 12, 48005 Bilbao
Gure Toki on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao won the Euskal Herria pintxo championship 2016 with Idiazabal cheese soup, oxtail croquettes and cheesecake.
La Vina del Ensanche ★ 4.4
abando · Calle Diputacion 10, 48008 Bilbao
La Vina del Ensanche on Diputacion in Bilbao since 1927 runs three rooms under the third family generation, Joselito Iberian ham the house pintxo.
Berton ★ 4.2
casco-viejo · Calle Jardines 11, 48005 Bilbao
Berton on Calle Jardines in Bilbao's Casco Viejo runs a standing pintxo bar and a Basque dining room with rabas and hand-cut Iberian ham daily.
Bar Charly ★ 4.2
Plaza Nueva 8, 48005 Bilbao
Bar Charly on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao since 1973 keeps a traditional Casco Viejo pintxo counter with bacalao croquettes, bonito and the gilda.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Tarta de Queso (Basque Burnt Cheesecake) makes more sense with someone from Bilbao explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Taste Tarta de Queso (Basque Burnt Cheesecake) with a local in Bilbao
Bilbao: Pintxos & Basque Flavours Food Tour with 9 Tastings
Discover Bilbao through its legendary pintxos on a guided food tour. Skip tourist traps, taste authentic Basque flavors, and explore local wine, cider, and culture.
Bilbao: Rioja Wine and Cheese Tasting with a Sommelier
Join a wine tasting in the heart of Bilbao. Learn all the secrets of Rioja, the most-known wine region of Spain with your sommelier, and enjoy 5 kinds of wine paired w...