72 Hours in Northern Spain and wondering where to find the best pintxos from San Sebastian to Bilbao? We’ve got you’ve covered!
What better way to familiarize ourselves with Basque Country than via a personalized, pintxos tour led by world-renowned, Michelin One Star, No. 56 World’s 50 Best Chef Josean Alija? That was a mouthful of adjectives, but he’s got a lot of accolades. When a leading chef offers to take time out of his busy schedule to give you a tour, you put on your walking shoes, hit the road and prepare to eat and drinks for hours on end. 🙂
Josean Alija is famous for his role as executive Chef of Nerua Guggenheim, an exquisite dining experience in the heart of Bilbao that we enjoyed twice over the duration of our stay in Biscay. Heeding Chef’s advice, over a three day period, we ventured into the heart of Bilbao and San Sebastian following his lead noshing on all the best bites Northern Spain has to offer. Below is a handy list with some delicious pics and a few suggestions for what to order (and do) at each location in Bilbao and San Sebastian. Chef Josean knows all the legit, non-touristy spots where you can eat like a local while enjoying the finest ingredients around. There’s a few places that crept onto the list that we found all by ourselves, plus a few places that our well-traveled friends recommended – those spots were pretty tasty too. All compiled below for your convenience.
Enjoy!
Bilbao : Best Pintxos & Bars
- Asador Indusi, Bilbao
- Bodega Indautxu, Bilbao (no known website)
- Corto Maltes (bar), Bilbao
- Katu Bar, Bilbao (no known website)
- LaVina Del Ensanche (pintxos), Bilbao
- Peso Neto (pintxos), Bilbao
- Pub Lust Bilbao (nightclub), Bilbao
- Ormaetxe (bar), Bilbao (no known website)
- Bar Restaurant Victor (pintxos), Bilbao
- Taberna Basaras, Bilbao (no known website)
- Zezen Gorri Montes (pintxos), Bilbao (no known website)
- Bar Zuga (pintxos), Bilbao (no known website)
All recommendations provided by Michelin Star Chef, Josean Alija unless otherwise noted.
The Specifics
Garcia Rivero Maisuaren Kalea, 7 48011, Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
- What to order: Croquetas Caseras, Jamon Iberico Corado a Chuillo, Tomatoes, Vina Tondonia Reserva Rioja, Torrijas Caramelizadas (french toast)
Bodega Indautxu (no known website)
Calle Gregorio de la Revilla, 18 48011 Bilbao
- What to order: Sardine Sandwiches & House Txakoli
Corto Maltes (bar)
Maria Diaz Haroko Kalea, 20, 48013 Bilbao, Viacaya, Spain
- What to order: Gin & Tonic.
Katu Bar (no known website)
Barrenkale, 17, 48005 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
- What to order: House Txakoli & beer
LaVina Del Ensanche (pintxos)
Calle Diputacion, 10, 48008 Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
What to order: Ibérico aged 2 years
Peso Neto (pintxos) suggested by @e.b.woodward
San Frantzisko Kalea, 1 48003, Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
What to order: Gazpacho (like you’ve never, ever had before!)
Pub Lust Bilbao (nightclub)
Calle Manuel Allende Kalea, 8 48010 Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
- What to order: Gin & Tonic and 80’s music
Ormaetxe (bar), Bilbao (no known website)
Dorre Kalea, 4 48005 Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
- What to order: beer & house txakoli and play a game of ‘throw a token into a golden frogs mouth’ a game called Juego de la Rana
Victor Montes (pintxos) ~ suggested by @e.b.woodward
Plaza Nueva 8 48005 Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
- What to order: Mini Burgers and Foie Gras Crepes
Taberna Basaras (no known website)
Pilota Kalea, 2 48005 Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
- What to order: Spicy Sardine Bread & Cheese Souffle
Zezen Gorri (pintxos) (no known website) ~ suggested @e.b.woodward
Nueva Plaza, 10 48005 Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
What to order: Brie Pepper Stuffed Corquette & Iberico Ham Toast
Bar Zuga (pintxos) (no known website) ~ suggested by @chefwjrwatton
Goikolau Cueva Kalea, 48005 Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain
- What to order: Pintxos of the day
In addition to the Bilbao suggestions above, Chef Josean Alija of Nerua Guggenheim & his resident communications specialist, Naiara Ortiz, graciously arranged a tour of ‘can’t miss’ San Sebastian restaurants which we’ve shared with you below. Two locations hold “The Michelin Plate” recognition and are worthy of a stop, and the third place is a brain-child of Mugaritz, No. 09 Best Restaurant on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list for 2017. All were outstanding recommendations.
San Sebastian : Best Lunch Spots
- Bodegón Alejandro, San Sebastian Recognition: The Michelin Plate
- Ganbara (pintxos), San Sebastian Recognition: The Michelin Plate
- Topa Sukalderia, San Sebastian Affliation to: Mugaritz
The Specifics
Bodegón Alejandro ~ lunch/dinner FAVORITE
Calle de Fermin Calbeton, 4 20003, San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain
- What to order: Croquettes, Egg, Seasonal tomatoes with dried tomatoes, peppers
Ganbara pintxos~ Suggested by @travellikeacheiff
San Jeronimo Kalea, 19 20003 San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain
- What to order: mushrooms and egg plate
Topa Sukalderia lunch/dinner
Agirre Miramon Kalea, 7 2002 San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain
Basque/Latin American Fusion introduced by Chef Andoni Luis Anduriz of Mugaritz, No. 09 World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017
- What to order: guacamole, mole tacos & “Al pastor” Basque style tacos
When you find yourself in Basque Country, take this list with you. It will definitely come in handy and it will ensure that you won’t get stuck in the touristy spots around town. Do keep in mind that daily between 2 pm – 4:30 pm, restaurants and businesses close, so be sure to plan around the afternoon break and go early or late. Let us know if you have any questions or need further advice on attractions in the area. It’s a short 1.5 hours drive between San Sebastian and Bilbao with beautiful scenery along the way. If you make the drive, it will set you back about 25 euro to drive on the tollway that connects the cities, so be sure to take cash ~ it’s worth the spend!
Gracias!
E & B Woodward
Tastemakers World’s 50 Best Restaurants
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This is nicely expressed! I’ve not been on a pintxos tour, but it’s on my bucket list. Cheers! MK
Nicely put. Cheers.
Nicely put guys. Going on a Pintxos tour in spring.
Thanks,
John
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