Txangurro is Basque spider crab, traditionally pulled from its shell, mixed with onion, tomato, leek and a splash of brandy, then gratineed under the broiler in the cleaned crab shell.
Txangurro a la donostiarra was codified by chef Felix Ibarguren 'Shishito' at the Sociedad Gaztelubide in San Sebastian in the early 20th century, but the spider crab tradition runs along the entire Cantabrian coast. Bilbao's pintxo bars run a miniature gratin version on a slice of bread, served counter-top, while restaurants serve the full caparazón. Bar El Globo on Diputacion in Bilbao is the canonical Bilbao pintxo version since 1997; restaurants like Casa Rufo run the full-shell preparation in season.
3 editor picks for Txangurro a la donostiarra in Bilbao, ranked by editorial score. All Bilbao signature dishes · Txangurro a la donostiarra across every city.
Mina ★ 4.7
indautxu · Calle Ercilla 37, 48011 Bilbao
Mina has held one Michelin star since 2013 for Alvaro Garrido's modern-Basque tasting menu, now a 25-cover Indautxu room on Calle Ercilla.
Bar El Globo ★ 4.5
abando · Calle Diputacion 8, 48008 Bilbao
Bar El Globo on Calle Diputacion in Bilbao since 1997 anchors the Indautxu pintxo crawl with the canonical txangurro (spider crab) gratin counter.
Casa Rufo ★ 4.5
abando · Calle Hurtado de Amezaga 5, 48008 Bilbao
Casa Rufo on Hurtado de Amezaga in Bilbao since 1955 grills the canonical Bilbao txuleta over open flame, between deli counter and dining room.