Opened in the early 20th century and lined with tiles that have watched the square change around them, Café Bar Bilbao is the comfortable, unpretentious anchor of Plaza Nueva. The counter runs long with a generous spread of traditional pintxos, and the tiled interior gives it a warmth that the more formal neighbours lack. This is where you start a txikiteo without thinking too hard about it.
Location
Casco Viejo, Bilbao
Map
Insider Intel
The classic cold pintxos along the counter — tortilla, the anchovy-and-pepper gilda, and the croquetas. It's a point-and-eat bar, so survey the spread before you commit.
Late morning to midday for the easy aperitivo crowd, or Sunday during the Plaza Nueva market when the whole square is alive.
A century-old fixture on Plaza Nueva with a beautiful tiled interior. Relaxed and welcoming — a good first stop for anyone new to the pintxo ritual before moving on to the Siete Calles.