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- - Bilbao pinxtos (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bilbao-pinxtos-1016377/)

We visited SanSebastian several years ago and were blown away by the pinxtos extravaganza! On that visit we stayed in the city several nights and had quite a bit of time to enjoy the experience. In Oct. we are taking a cruise that ports in Gexto / Bilbao. It is possible to get to SS (using public transportation we need to get into Bilbao and then bus to SS) but it is a bit of a trek. If we stay in Bilbao, can we experience the same vibrant pinxtos scene? restaurant / bar rec's? thanks!

Yes, Bilbao has a vibrant pintxos scene.

http://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoT...en/de-renombre

My sister and I really enjoyed the pintxos, and the scene, during both trips we made to Bilbao. Here's what I wrote in one of my TRs

One of the things we really loved about Bilbao last time was the lively street scene in the pedestrian streets around the center of town. We were not disappointed this time. First, we walked to the area of Calle de la Diputación, where a number of bars share a central square, and the party flows into the square and the streets. I love the scene of kids kicking around soccer balls and friends gathering, drinks in hand enjoying the late afternoon and early evening. We found a similar scene in the area around Calle Ledesma. Bilbao may not be as pretty and picturesque as San Sebastian, but it has a spirit that resonates and is hard not to enjoy, especially at txikiteo time!

We loved the ham at La Vina del Ensanche

http://www.lavinadelensanche.com

I don't think it's as good as Donostia for tapas/pintxos but it's still good. Check out La Vina del Ensanche.

<b><i>"restaurant / bar rec's?"</i></b>

For restaurants in Bilbao we loved Etxanobe (been twice, can't wait to go back a third time) and liked Mina. Both of these are Michelin one stars. Etxanobe is a blend of traditional Basque dishes plus creative modern plates and you can order ALC. Mina is strictly modern small-plate tasting menus, 7 or 10 or 14 courses.

For a great restaurant just outside Bilbao, a few km from the airport, try Azurmendi. This is a Michelin 3* recently rated # 7 in the world by Elite Traveler Magazine (I think it was # 26 in the more widely-followed Pellegrino/Restaurant Magazine rankings). Very creative chef with a wonderful staff that goes out of their way for the customers.

We had a 25 course meal at Azurmendi in mid-May that we're still buzzing about.

http://en.etxanobe.com/
http://www.restaurantemina.es/?idioma=en

http://www.azurmendi.biz/?idioma=en
http://www.andyhayler.com/restaurant/azurmendi
http://www.bacononthebeech.com/2013/...bao-spain.html
http://www.gastroenophile.com/2012/1...di-basque.html
http://www.spanishhipster.com/2014/01/azurmendi-bilbao/

Well, I´ve just have today a couple of young Americans that wanted to taste Bilbao pintxos after a trip to San Sebastian. They have not been the least disappointed and have enjoyed them thoroughly. You have to take into account that "Pintxos" are part of our culture and you find them in any town in the Basque Country. They are not a specialty of San Sebastian only. We like having pintxos every day, never as a meal, but as an appetizer before lunch or dinner. And one per bar, never ever on a plate and never sitting down. It crashes against American culture of staying in one bar...we go from bar to bar, drinking small glasses of beer, or wine, or natural cider, and one pintxo at a time. Bilbao has a lot of places with excellent pintxos...and it´s a town really worth visiting (of course, San Sebastian too...but they are very different)

Kimhe, I was yesterday at the Iruña...great lamb skewer for 2,30eur...

mikel, that's definitely a winner!