When visiting Bilbao, be sure to try the city's renowned pintxos, a variety of small, bite-sized dishes that showcase the best of Basque cuisine, as well as must-try dishes like Bacalao al Pil Pil and Tortilla de Patatas.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Bilbao's cuisine is defined by its location in the Basque region of northern Spain, where the city's proximity to the sea and the Pyrenees mountains has created a unique blend of seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes. The city's cuisine has been influenced by its history as a major port city, with many dishes featuring cod, anchovies, and other seafood. Bilbao is also known for its high-quality txuleta, a type of steak that is often served with pimientos, roasted red peppers. The city's cuisine is often characterized by its use of olive oil, garlic, and chili peppers, which add flavor to many of its dishes.
The Basque region is also home to a strong culinary tradition, with many dishes passed down from generation to generation. Bilbao's cuisine is known for its simplicity and emphasis on high-quality ingredients, with many dishes featuring only a few ingredients. The city is also home to a number of gastropubs, where visitors can sample a variety of small plates and local wines.
In addition to its traditional cuisine, Bilbao is also home to a number of modern restaurants that offer a fusion of traditional and contemporary cuisine. These restaurants often feature innovative dishes that incorporate local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Visitors to Bilbao can sample a wide range of cuisine, from traditional pintxos to modern haute cuisine.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacalao al Pil Pil | seafood | cod cooked in olive oil with garlic and chili peppers | traditional restaurants |
| Tortilla de Patatas | tapas | thick omelette made with potatoes and onions | pintxo bars |
| Txuleta | steak | high-quality steak served with pimientos | upscale restaurants |
| Pintxos | tapas | small, bite-sized dishes featuring a variety of ingredients | pintxo bars |
| Gazpacho | soup | cold soup made with tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers | traditional restaurants |
| Croquetas | tapas | deep-fried balls filled with ham, fish, or chicken | pintxo bars |
| Pa amb tomàquet | bread | bread rubbed with garlic and tomato and drizzled with olive oil | traditional restaurants |
| Marmitako | stew | hearty stew made with tuna, potatoes, and onions | traditional restaurants |
| Arroz con Mariscos | seafood | rice dish featuring a variety of seafood, including mussels and clams | seafood restaurants |
| Chuletón | steak | thick, juicy steak served with pimientos | upscale restaurants |
Street Food & Snacks
- Pintxos: small, bite-sized dishes featuring a variety of ingredients, $3-$5 USD per piece
- Croquetas: deep-fried balls filled with ham, fish, or chicken, $2-$3 USD per piece
- Bocadillo: sandwich made with crusty bread and filled with ham, cheese, or chorizo, $5-$7 USD
- Tortilla de Patatas: thick omelette made with potatoes and onions, $4-$6 USD per slice
- Patatas Bravas: fried potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce, $4-$6 USD
- Aceitunas: marinated olives, $3-$5 USD per serving
- Churros con Chocolate: fried dough pastry coated in sugar, served with a rich chocolate dipping sauce, $5-$7 USD
- Gildas: skewers of anchovies, olives, and peppers, $4-$6 USD per serving
Drinks
- Txakoli: a dry, sparkling white wine made from local grapes, $6-$8 USD per glass
- Rioja: a red wine from the nearby Rioja region, $8-$10 USD per glass
- Cerveza: beer, $4-$6 USD per pint
- Sangria: a fruity, wine-based drink, $6-$8 USD per glass
- Café con Leche: coffee made with scalded milk, $2-$3 USD per cup
- Té con Leche: tea made with scalded milk, $2-$3 USD per cup
Dining Customs
- Mealtimes: breakfast from 8-10 am, lunch from 1-3 pm, dinner from 8-10 pm
- Tipping: 5-10% of the total bill
- Reservations: recommended for upscale restaurants, but not necessary for casual dining
- Dress Code: casual, but dressy attire recommended for upscale restaurants
- Eating Etiquette: keep hands visible on the table, do not leave the table until everyone is finished eating
- Payment: cash and credit cards accepted at most restaurants
Where to Eat
- Pintxo bars: small bars that serve a variety of small plates, often featuring local ingredients and traditional cuisine
- Traditional restaurants: restaurants that serve traditional Basque cuisine, often featuring dishes like Bacalao al Pil Pil and Tortilla de Patatas
- Upscale restaurants: restaurants that offer modern, innovative cuisine, often featuring local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques
- Markets: markets that offer a variety of fresh produce, meats, and seafood, often featuring local products and specialties
- Food courts: food courts that offer a variety of cuisine, often featuring local specialties and international dishes
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- La Bretxa Market: a market that offers a variety of fresh produce, meats, and seafood, located in the heart of Bilbao
- Mercado de Ribera: a market that offers a variety of local products and specialties, located in the old town
- Pintxo tour: a guided tour that takes visitors to a variety of pintxo bars, offering a sampling of local cuisine and drinks
- Cooking class: a class that teaches visitors how to prepare traditional Basque dishes, often featuring local ingredients and cooking techniques
- Wine tasting: a tasting that offers a selection of local wines, often featuring wines from the nearby Rioja region