26 upscale places in Bilbao, editor-picked. occasion restaurants in Bilbao: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Bilbao food.
Gure Toki ★ 4.6
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.
Cork ★ 4.6
Calle Licenciado Poza 45, 48011 Bilbao
Cork on Licenciado Pozas in Bilbao, run by sommelier Jonathan Hernando since 2014, pours 80 wines by the glass with a natural and low-intervention focus.
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.
Tip: Lunch 13:30-16:00, dinner 20:30-23:00; closed Sundays. The deli counter sells the same hams and cheeses.
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.
Tip: Lunch 13:30-16:00, dinner 20:30-23:00; closed Sundays. The deli counter is worth a look.
Bar El Globo ★ 4.5
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.
La Vina del Ensanche ★ 4.5
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.
Cork ★ 4.5
Calle Licenciado Poza 45, 48011 Bilbao
Cork on Licenciado Pozas in Bilbao, run by sommelier Jonathan Hernando since 2014, pours 80 wines by the glass with a natural and low-intervention focus.
La Vina del Ensanche ★ 4.5
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.
Victor Montes ★ 4.4
casco-viejo · Plaza Nueva 8, 48005 Bilbao
Victor Montes on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao keeps the spirit of the 1849 grocery, with grilled mushrooms with foie, charcuterie and a deep wine cellar.
Tip: The terrace facing Plaza Nueva is the spot in summer; the back dining room takes reservations.
Victor Montes ★ 4.4
Plaza Nueva 8, 48005 Bilbao
Victor Montes on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao keeps the spirit of the 1849 grocery, with grilled mushrooms with foie, charcuterie and a deep wine cellar.
Sorginzulo ★ 4.4
Plaza Nueva 12, 48005 Bilbao
Sorginzulo on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao makes a 2023 Spanish Tortilla Championship finalist with Euskaber eggs, plus traditional Basque pintxos.
Cafe Iruna ★ 4.4
Calle Berastegui 4, 48001 Bilbao
Cafe Iruna on Jardines de Albia in Bilbao opened in 1903, with 300 square metres of Mudejar tiles and pinchos morunos at the corner charcoal grill.
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 Despensa del Etxanobe ★ 4.3
abando · Calle Juan de Ajuriaguerra 8, 48009 Bilbao
La Despensa in Bilbao is Etxanobe's Michelin-Guide bistro side beside the Atelier, with a Bilbao tasting menu and traditional Basque a la carte plates.
Tip: Open until 22:15; quieter lunch service. Closed Sundays Booking recommended for weekends.
Bascook ★ 4.3
abando · Calle Barroeta Aldamar 8, 48001 Bilbao
Aitor Elizegi's Bascook in a former Bilbao salt warehouse runs a modern-Basque kitchen with the Bilbao 7 Cucharas old-recipes tasting menu set.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday; ask for a table in the brick-arched cellar room. The chef occasionally cooks in the dining room.
La Despensa del Etxanobe ★ 4.3
abando · Calle Juan de Ajuriaguerra 8, 48009 Bilbao
La Despensa in Bilbao is Etxanobe's Michelin-Guide bistro side beside the Atelier, with a Bilbao tasting menu and traditional Basque a la carte plates.
Tip: Open until 22:15; quieter lunch service. Closed Sundays Walk-ins usually OK.
Bascook ★ 4.3
abando · Calle Barroeta Aldamar 8, 48001 Bilbao
Aitor Elizegi's Bascook in a former Bilbao salt warehouse runs a modern-Basque kitchen with the Bilbao 7 Cucharas old-recipes tasting menu set.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday; ask for a table in the brick-arched cellar room.
Cafe Bar Bilbao ★ 4.3
Plaza Nueva 6, 48005 Bilbao
Cafe Bar Bilbao on Plaza Nueva since 1911 keeps a Belle Epoque tiled interior in Bilbao, with ham croquettes, peppers stuffed with cod and rabas.
Xukela ★ 4.3
Calle del Perro 2, 48005 Bilbao
Xukela on Calle del Perro in Bilbao's Casco Viejo since 1982 sits on the most traditional Bilbao tapas street with creative pintxos and wines.
Victor Montes ★ 4.3
Plaza Nueva 8, 48005 Bilbao
Victor Montes on Plaza Nueva in Bilbao keeps the spirit of the 1849 grocery, with grilled mushrooms with foie, charcuterie and a deep wine cellar.
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.
Baster ★ 4.2
Calle Correo, 48005 Bilbao
Baster on Calle Correo at the foot of the cathedral tower in Bilbao runs a Casco Viejo pintxo bar with made-to-order tortillas, quiches and vermut.
Bihotz ★ 4.2
Calle Aretxaga 6, 48003 Bilbao
Bihotz in Bilbao La Vieja runs a coffee-and-craft-beer hybrid south of the Ribera market, with third-wave coffee mornings and a beer-led evening.
Xukela ★ 4.2
Calle del Perro 2, 48005 Bilbao
Xukela on Calle del Perro in Bilbao's Casco Viejo since 1982 sits on the most traditional Bilbao tapas street with creative pintxos and wines.
Singular ★ 4.1
Lersundi Kalea 2, 48009 Bilbao
Singular on Calle Lersundi in Bilbao runs six craft beer taps with 50 weekly bottles and 50 wines, plus Iberian ham rolls as the house pintxo.
Singular ★ 4.0
Lersundi Kalea 2, 48009 Bilbao
Singular on Calle Lersundi in Bilbao runs six craft beer taps with 50 weekly bottles and 50 wines, plus Iberian ham rolls as the house pintxo.