Founded in 1968 and cited across decades of Spanish gastronomy writing as a genuine temple of the pintxo, Gaucho has collected national competition awards the way other bars collect regulars. Its txangurro — spider crab, dressed and served on bread — is among the most famous single bites in the city. Tucked just off Plaza del Castillo, it makes the natural first stop on any serious crawl through the old town.
Location
Casco Viejo, Pamplona
Map
Insider Intel
The txangurro (spider-crab) pintxo is the signature and the reason for the reputation. Follow it with whichever competition-winning bite the staff point you toward.
Open early enough to be a proper first stop — start here at the beginning of an evening crawl before the crowds thicken along San Nicolás and Estafeta.
Steps from Plaza del Castillo, which makes it an ideal opening move. The awards span decades, so this is old-guard excellence rather than a fashionable newcomer — expect classic technique executed at a very high level.