You can't go to the Basque Country without trying the local tradition: the famous pinxos!
In Bilbao, they are all over the city. You can eat them on the go or take the time to do a full tasting of the different combinations.
But what are pinxos? Well, it's very simple. A slice of baguette with a bunch of different ingredients on top, all held together by a toothpick stuck in it. There are all kinds of pinxos, made up of different products, natural, grilled, pan-fried or cooked in sauce: fish, seafood, sausages, meat, vegetables, etc. You can also find omelettes of all kinds of flavours or sandwiches.
Traditionally, popular festivals and gatherings in the Basque Country and other regions are the occasion for cooking competitions between neighbourhoods, villages, towns, cities, gastronomic societies or among friends. This is how tapas and pintxos developed.
In Bilbao, it is customary to tour the pintxo bars with friends or family. They usually eat one or two pintxos with a glass of txakoli, a white wine from the northern Spanish region of Rioja, or a beer before moving on to the next bar and so on. From Thursday night until Sunday the bars are packed.
They are usually laid out on plates scattered around the counter, and are paid for by the unit (+/-2€ each).
I've personally adopted them! When I'm having a drink with friends and I'm a bit peckish it's perfect. The flavour combinations are sometimes surprising, but I've never been disappointed.
My favourite place to try them is Plaza Nueva, located in Casco Viejo. It's a bit touristy but the setting is perfect. Also, there are only pinx bars in the Plaza, so you are spoilt for choice.
The good thing about pinxos, if you are one of those who hesitate for hours in a restaurant between two dishes, is that you don't take too many risks. You can try everything without necessarily having to choose one dish.
Go for it!
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