Bilbao: Basque Food Tour and Wine Tasting with Guide
Discover the best of Bilbao food culture on a guided walking tour. Sample mouthwatering bites, sip local wine, and explore the charming city while learning about local...
Txuleta is a thick Basque ribeye on the bone, dry-aged from an old work-ox or mature dairy cow, salted only and grilled over a vine-wood or oak fire until the fat caramelises and the inside stays rare.
The Basque txuleta tradition built around old vacas viejas (old dairy cows and oxen) that gave their meat after a working life, with the rich fat marbling that comes only with age. Casa Rufo since 1955 cooks the canonical Bilbao txuleta from local and Galician beef. Across the river in Axpe, Bittor Arginzoniz at Asador Etxebarri took the technique to one Michelin star and a perennial top-three spot on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, with custom-engineered grills for the wood-fire-everything kitchen.
3 editor picks for Txuleta in Bilbao, ranked by editorial score. All Bilbao signature dishes · Txuleta across every city.
Asador Etxebarri ★ 4.9
Plaza de San Juan 1, 48291 Axpe
Asador Etxebarri in Axpe near Bilbao holds one Michelin star and ranked No. 2 on The World's 50 Best 2025 for Bittor Arginzoniz's wood fire.
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.
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.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Txuleta makes more sense with someone from Bilbao explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in Bilbao
Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local
Experience the flavors of Bilbao with a knowledgeable guide on a culinary tour. Sample anchovies, local cheese, croquetas, codfish and pastelito vasco and discover its...
Bilbao: Immersive Basque Cooking Class
Master the culinary techniques of the Basque Country during this hands-on cooking class in downtown Bilbao Enjoy your own creations over a meal paired with local red a...