What Food To Try in Bilbao and Food Prices

Toast with Tomato - Pan con Tomate (breakfast favorite) - Fresh bread topped with fresh ripe tomatoes, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil, creating a simple yet flavorful start to the day. Locals enjoy it at breakfast, often paired with a café con leche.

Basque-style Grilled Fish - Pescado a la Parrilla (main course) - Locally-sourced fish, typically grilled whole with minimal seasoning to let its natural flavors shine. You’ll find it popular during dinner at seaside restaurants, and you can ask for it to be served with a side of patatas bravas for a filling meal.

Cod in Sauce - Bacalao a la Vizcaína (local specialty) - Salted cod simmered in a rich red pepper sauce, balancing savory and slightly tangy flavors. Commonly found in local tavernas during family gatherings, it’s a dish that brings everyone to the table, especially during festive seasons.

Chickpea Stew - Potaje de Garbanzos (hearty vegetarian option) - A hearty stew made from chickpeas, vegetables, and spices, simmered to a comforting consistency. Typically served during colder months, it’s the go-to Sunday dinner and shared among family, making it a classic family dish.

Octopus Sandwich - Pulpo a la Gallega (street food delight) - Tender octopus seasoned with paprika and served on a bun, it’s a hearty take on classic street food. Locals grab it from market stalls while enjoying an afternoon stroll, often paired with a refreshing local cider.

Cod and Sausage - Bacalao con Chorizo (surprising combination) - A boldly flavored dish that combines salted cod with slices of spicy chorizo, simmered to perfection. Commonly enjoyed at home during winter, it's a delightful surprise for visitors unfamiliar with these contrasting flavors.

Peppers in Vinegar - Pimientos de Padrón (seasonal variation) - Small green peppers, sautéed and served with a sprinkle of sea salt, some occasionally pack a surprising heat. Typically enjoyed during summer evenings, they’re often shared as a casual appetizer in outdoor plazas.

Café con Leche - Café con Leche (milk coffee) - A comforting mix of strong espresso and steamed milk, often enjoyed in the morning. Locals usually savor it while catching up with friends at a bar or café before starting their day.

Sidra - Sidra (hard cider) - A naturally fermented apple cider that’s a staple in the Basque region, typically served from a height to aerate it. Sidrerías (cider houses) come alive in the spring, where people gather for long meals accompanied by this refreshing beverage.

Licor de Pacharán - Pacharán (sloe-flavored liqueur) - A sweet, fruity liqueur made from sloe berries, usually enjoyed as a digestif after meals. It’s common to see locals sipping it chilled or on the rocks, especially during festive family gatherings or summer evenings.

Pastel Vasco - Pastel Vasco (Basque cake) - A delicious pastry filled with almond cream and sometimes cherry jam, it’s a beloved treat to pair with coffee in the afternoon. You’ll often find it enjoyed on family celebrations, where it might even be the centerpiece of the dessert table.

Helado - Helado (ice cream) - Creamy and rich, this ice cream often features unique local flavors like txokolate (chocolate), which is quite indulgent. You can find locals relishing it during hot summer days while strolling around the bustling streets of Bilbao.

By the way, timing is key for a good sidra experience. It’s best enjoyed during the cider season, which runs from January to April, when the flavors are at their peak!