LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO We visited La Cuchara de San Telmo, San Sebastián, one of our favourite pintxo bars in the old town, tucked away in a side alley off 31 de Agosto Kalea, at the back of the historic city. It’s definitely worth seeking out, so don’t hesitate to go in, even if it’s busy. La Cuchara de San Telmo is known for its traditional Basque spoon dishes, which differ from pintxos — small portions of food often served on a slice of bread and sometimes held together w

Pamplona/Iruña is the historical capital of Navarre/Navarra and was the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Navarre. In the early 16th century, Castile conquered the southern part of the kingdom and later incorporated it into the Crown of Castile. The city is famous worldwide for the running of the bulls during the San Fermín festival, which is held annually from July 6 to 14. This festival gained literary renown with the 1926 publication of Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Sun A

LA RIOJA - LOGROÑO PINCHO BAR CRAWL On our recent trip to La Rioja, we decided to go on a pincho bar crawl down the famous Calle Laurel. These were our favourite bars and bites on this hectic but pleasant November evening. Our Logroño pinchos crawl took us through some of the city’s best-known traditional pinchos bars. BAR CID Travesía de Laurel, 1, 26001 Logroño, La Rioja It’s truly a hole-in-the-wall spot and easy to overlook. Traditional Bar Cid features vines and grapes h

GANDARIAS JATETXEA We returned to Casa Gandarias San Sebastián, one of the best-known pintxos bars in the Parte Vieja, for our regular fill of pintxo de solomillo and red wine! We had a bottle of El Lagar de Isilla Paraje Peñalobos Tinta del Pais 2018 DOC Ribera del Duero. This was a good match with the solomillo. Solomillo pintxos. The famous Basque Gildas. Guindilla pepper, green olive and fresh anchovy - named after Rita Hayworth (hot, tall and spicy). During this visit,

KBZÓN TXIKI During our 2025 trip, we discovered a spot we had not been to before: Bar Kbzón Txiki, a small hidden gem in the parte vieja (old town) that offers a delightful culinary experience. The atmosphere is inviting, and the decor is charming. The bar offers innovative dishes crafted from familiar ingredients. They appear to use the sous vide method in their excellent cooking, which enhances the flavours. We settled in and ordered a couple of glasses of txakoli, the refr

BAR SPORT We returned to Bar Sport, once a bit of an insider tip, but it now gets very busy. True to its name, this place is especially popular during sports events, but it also offers beautifully assembled pintxos throughout the week. This authentic bar offers traditional pintxos in a lively atmosphere, all at very reasonable prices. Popular among locals, it features a rustic interior and provides a classic Basque dining experience. The bar is further enhanced by a good sele

For this visit to San Sebastián for a pintxos bar crawl in June 2026, we concentrated on pintxos rather than sit-down meals. We started our pintxo tour in Parte Vieja (the old town). We always prefer hot pintxos, as they are made to order. The pintxos on the bar are not a problem, but you may eat too much bread! We tend to have no more than two pintxos and a glass of wine or beer per bar, so we don’t get too full too early. The best time to visit pintxo bars is 8.30 — 10.30 p

HOTELA M&UGA We stayed for three nights in the Basque Country town of Elorrio at Hotela M&UGA. The town stands out for its unique medieval and modern heritage. In 1964, it was declared a Medieval Heritage Site. It is set in a green valley, with the river Zumelegi running down its centre. Strolling through the streets lined with palaces and ancestral houses, crafted from stone and intricately carved masonry dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, is truly delightful. We ch

BILBAO - PLAZA NUEVA PINTXO BAR CRAWL On a recent trip to Bilbao, we had a little pintxo bar crawl around the Plaza Nueva. The arcaded Plaza Nueva is bustling with locals from early evening onward. Take note of the local tradition of pacing yourself when enjoying a txikito, a small glass of wine or beer. In pintxos bars, it is common for patrons to throw paper napkins on the floor, while only shy tourists tend to leave them on tables or other surfaces. On weekends, the area

If you’re heading to Bilbao, you’re in for a treat. This city isn’t just about the Guggenheim Museum or its stunning riverside views. Nope, Bilbao is a food lover’s paradise. From pintxos bars tucked away in narrow alleys to Michelin-starred restaurants that push culinary boundaries, the dining scene here is vibrant and diverse. I’ve spent quite some time exploring the best dining in Bilbao, and I’m excited to share my discoveries with you. Ready to eat your way through this