Bar Charly Gilda ★ 4.2
Bar Charly on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao since 1973 serves the classic pintxo gilda, the 1946 Donostia-origin skewer that started the pintxo tradition.
Try: Pintxo Gilda (anchovy, olive, guindilla pepper)
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Bar El Globo Txangurro ★ 4.5
Bar El Globo on Diputacion in Bilbao serves the txangurro gratin, the spider crab pintxo that has been the bar's defining counter order since 1997.
Try: Txangurro gratin pintxo
Sorginzulo Tortilla ★ 4.5
Sorginzulo on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao makes a championship tortilla de patata with Euskaber eggs, a 2023 Spanish Tortilla Championship finalist.
Try: Tortilla de patata
Cafe Bar Bilbao Rabas ★ 4.3
Cafe Bar Bilbao on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao since 1911 fries rabas (squid rings) at a Belle Epoque marble counter, paired with a glass of vermut.
Try: Rabas (fried squid rings)
La Vina del Ensanche Joselito ★ 4.6
La Vina del Ensanche on Diputacion in Bilbao since 1927 serves the canonical Joselito Iberian ham on toasted crystal bread, hand-cut at the counter.
Try: Tosta de jamon de Joselito
Gure Toki Cheesecake ★ 4.5
Gure Toki on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao serves a Basque burnt cheesecake critics rank among Spain's best, alongside the championship Idiazabal cheese soup.
Try: Basque burnt cheesecake
Cafe Iruna Pinchos Morunos ★ 4.4
Cafe Iruna on Jardines de Albia in Bilbao since 1903 grills the pinchos morunos at a corner charcoal grill, a Moorish-origin skewer of pork.
Try: Pinchos morunos (Moorish skewers)
Baster Bocadillo de Calamares ★ 4.3
Baster on Calle Correo in Bilbao cooks the bocadillo de calamares to order, a Madrid-origin squid sandwich with a Basque accent, plus tortillas.
Try: Bocadillo de calamares