Bilbao Food Guide

Get your taste buds ready for a flavor-packed journey through Bilbao’s food scene! From mouthwatering pintxos to bold Basque flavours, this Bilbao food guide will take you on a culinary journey! Whether you’re a serious foodie or just craving some unforgettable bites, Bilbao’s got you covered. It’s time to eat, explore, and experience the city’s edible wonders like never before!

Although Bilbao is visited primarily for the Guggenheim Museum and old-town architecture, it will not disappoint in terms of food either! Here are some suggestions:

Café Iruña

A local café, one of those places with history and soul, where you can 100% feel the atmosphere of the city. Good both for pintxos and for lunch or dinner.

Gure Toki

It would be super hard to pinpoint the best pintxos (tapas) bar, but Gure Toki is one of the most noteworthy, with a large selection of different pintxos and decent prices. The downside may be the small size of the place, which can be crowded during popular hours.

Meson Claudio

If you are looking for a place with an authentic, local atmosphere, you will certainly find it here. The bar specializes in jamon, you can also try local cheeses and drink wine for pennies.

El Puertito

A famous spot for sampling seafood! All you will find here are oysters, so whoever has a weakness for this specialty, we recommend looking here for a plate of delicious, fresh oysters and a glass of wine.

Rio Oja

A simple, authentic restaurant with classic Basque cuisine. Here you will try, among others, dishes such as chipirones en su tinta (squid in a sauce made with their own ink) or bacalao al Pil-Pil (cod in olive oil, garlic, and chili sauce).

Mercado de la Ribera

It is one of the largest food markets in Europe, where you can find modern bars and restaurants as well as traditional stands with local products. The location of the market is exceptionally picturesque: on the waterfront, opposite the elegant San Anton church, not far from the historic center of the city. It is also a great introduction to the world of local gastronomy.

The local market is the place tourists always should head to first. After all, it is here that the culinary heart of every city usually beats, and Bilbao is not an exemption. The Mercado de la Ribera’s beautiful building and its location right on the river make it a real eye-catcher for all visitors. At the market, you will find all the wonders that Basque Country is famous for. There is excellent quality meat, various versions of wonderful chorizo, excellent black pudding, ripening hams, fish, cheese, fruit, vegetables, and high-quality seafood products. There is also a pinchos bar zone in Mercado de la Ribera. You can eat here some of the best pinxos in the city, drink great wine, and try very good cocktails (including excellent Spanish vermouths, perfect caipirinha, and mojito). All at very attractive prices – for a few euros you can be full for the whole day.

Where to Stay in Bilbao

One of the popular places to stay for young travelers in Bilbao is Latroupe La Granja hostel, located in the heart of the city. Latroupe offers all the amenities you may need, and the prices are reasonable. It is a perfect place to meet like-minded travelers! You couldn’t make a better choice for your stay in Bilbao!