Taberna Basaras is a tavern in Casco Viejo, Bilbao. Rated 4.6 stars from 610 Google reviews. Known for anchovy pintxos that stop people mid-trip and wine list curated by someone who cares. Best for pintxos crawl and wine by the glass. Ranked #5 of 12 in Casco Viejo.
Rankings updated April 2026
Taberna Basaras
Zone Ranking
Ranked weekly from live Google review data
in Casco Viejo
↓ Down 1 this week
Quick Verdict
Locals return 3+ times during short trips because the anchovy pintxos are the best in the neighbourhood and the wine selection is genuinely curated, not tourist-marked up.
Go if you want to stand at a counter with locals, eat fresh anchovy pintxos, and drink wine recommended by someone who actually knows wine—not if you're looking for a table reservation.
About Taberna Basaras
Taberna Basaras is a small, traditional pintxos bar in Bilbao's Casco Viejo—one of the few original tascas still standing in the old town. You stand at the counter, pick from pintxos displayed on the bar, and eat standing or outside on Pilota Kalea. The place runs on wine knowledge and ingredient quality, not volume. The owner and staff recommend dishes and wines with genuine enthusiasm (reviewers praise their enólogo credentials and wine curation). Anchovy pintxos (antxoas en salazón) and fresh tortilla de patata are the backbone. The wine list is extensive—national and international, many by the glass at fair prices—which is rare for this quality level in the area. It's busy by evening, full of locals and return visitors, but daytime works for quick snacks. This is txikiteo culture: you're not booking a table or settling in for 3 hours. You're grabbing pintxos, drinking txakoli or wine, and moving on—or staying longer if the conversation holds.
What Stands Out
Anchovy pintxos that stop people mid-trip
Reviewers returned 3 times in 4 days specifically for the anchovy pintxos. Multiple reviews cite 'antxoas en salazón' and 'anchoillas' as imprescindible (essential). One described them as 'the best anchioves pintxos you'll find in the neighbourhood.'
Wine list curated by someone who cares
Reviews highlight 'amplia variedad de vinos interesantes, tanto nacionales como internacionales' and praise the enólogo's recommendations. One reviewer noted 'vale la pena pagar algo más por vinos de autor aconsejados por el enólogo del local'—worth paying more for author wines advised by the house enologist. Wines offered by the glass at fair prices.
Authentic Basque pintxos culture, not performance
Described as 'one of the few traditional places left in the Casco Viejo.' Reviewers emphasise the local crowd, standing culture, and 'real, authentic Bilbao.' One review notes the 'standing crowd in front of the door is the epitome of the social pintxos culture in Bilbao.'
What Customers Say
Y sus tortillas de patata recién hechas, su cecina, etc.
En el casco viejo de Bilbao, taberna bien conservada con amplia variedad de pinchos y trato agradable.
La taberna Basaras es de los pocos lugares tradicionales que va quedando en el casco viejo de Bilbao.
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Contact
Pilota Kalea, 2, Ibaiondo, 48005 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
+34 688 81 56 83Frequently Asked Questions about Taberna Basaras
No online booking. Walk in. Daytime is quieter; evening (7pm onwards) gets busy with locals standing at the bar and outside. Arrive before 8pm if you want elbow room at the counter.
Anchovy pintxos (antxoas en salazón)—multiple reviewers called them the best in the neighbourhood. Fresh tortilla de patata also comes up consistently. Staff will recommend; let them.
Pintxos range €1–10 depending on what you pick. Wine by the glass is fairly priced for the quality; reviewers specifically noted this is rare in the area. No tasting menus or set prices—you pay as you eat.
No. It's a pintxos bar. You stand at the counter or outside on the street. A few seats exist inside but they're not the point. This is txikiteo—the Basque bar-crawl tradition. You eat, drink, and either move to the next bar or stay longer if the conversation holds.
Busy by evening with a mix of locals and return visitors standing at the bar. Reviewers describe it as 'cosy,' 'historic,' and full of 'real Basque life.' One noted 'the few seats inside are often surprisingly easy to get' despite the crowd outside.
Also in Casco Viejo
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