Bilbao’s pintxos scene is legendary, and as someone who knows the city’s bars inside out, I’ve handpicked the best spots for 2026. These aren’t just recommendations—they’re the places I trust for their quality, creativity, and the kind of authentic Basque experience that keeps me coming back. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this list is your shortcut to the city’s most unforgettable flavors.

From historic bars in the Casco Viejo to innovative wine bars and oyster specialists, each place on this list offers something special. Think award-winning pintxos, legendary tortillas, and the perfect glass of wine to match. So, if you’re ready to eat like a local, dive in and discover the best of Bilbao’s pintxos culture this year.

1. Gure Toki

Area: Casco Viejo (Plaza Nueva)
Style: Creative, award-winning pintxos; a mix of tradition and innovation. Famous for oxtail croquettes, scallop with potatoes, grilled foie with apples, and cod pil-pil.
Highlight: Their Idiazabal cheese and mushroom soup won a Basque pintxo competition, and the Basque cheesecake is legendary. The bar is a reference for high-quality, artistic pintxos in the heart of Bilbao’s Old Town

Gure Toki’s Barra is astonishing but do not miss the seasonal pintxos written by the kitchen

2. El Globo

Area: Ensanche (Calle Diputación)
Style: Classic and innovative pintxos, with a focus on seafood and gratinated specialties.
Highlight: The txangurro gratinado (grilled spider crab) is their star pintxo, and the bar is a historic institution, blending tradition with a vibrant and social environment

3. La Viña del Ensanche

Area: Ensanche (Calle Diputación)
Style: Specializes in acorn-fed Iberian ham (Joselito) and classic Basque pintxos, with a family-run, old-school charm.
Highlight: Their mini-tortilla de patata and Joselito ham pintxos are must-tries. The bar has been a Bilbao staple since 1927, offering a cozy, wine-rich experience

4. Bilbao Berria

Area: Indautxu (Calle Ledesma)
Style: Vasco-Mediterranean fusion, with a wide range of hot and cold pintxos, including vegan options.
Highlight: Their solomillo with foie, pimiento del padrón, and oporto reduction is a standout. The bar is known for its lively atmosphere and live music

5. Baster

Area: Casco Viejo (Calle Correo)
Style: Traditional Basque tapas and pintxos, with a focus on homemade tortillas and vermouth.
Highlight: The tortilla de patata is considered one of the best in Bilbao, and the bar is pet-friendly, with a charming terrace

6. Cork (Wine Bar)

Area: Indautxu (Calle Licenciado Poza)
Style: Wine bar with a curated selection of natural wines and creative pintxos.
Highlight: Their steak tartar and wine pairings are exceptional. Cork is run by a sommelier and offers a cozy, knowledgeable atmosphere for wine love

Cork’s extensive offering of wines by the glass

7. El Puertito

Area: Indautxu (Calle Maestro García Rivero and Ledesma)
Style: Specializes in oysters, offering a unique twist on the pintxos tradition.
Highlight: The first oyster bar in Bilbao, with a daily selection of fresh oysters from around Europe, served by the unit. The concept is casual, innovative, and focused on democratizing oyster consumption

The Ultimate 2026 Guide: Where to Find the Best Pintxos in Bilbao