Basque cuisine is severely underrated. This region in the north of Spain has incredible food. Think salt cod, roasted piquillo peppers and to wash it all down, txakoli wine. Of course, we can’t talk about Basque cuisine without mentioning pintxos. Delicious morsels of bread with different toppings including tortilla, chorizo or fish that are held together by a simple cocktail stick. The bill is then calculated by the number of sticks you have left on your plate. To sample some great Basque dishes, here are some of the top Basque restaurants in Barcelona.
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Takita Berri
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If you’re going to Takita Berri it’s best to get there early as the place usually fills up very quickly which makes it hard to find a seat. Sit at the bar, ask for a plate, order a drink and then start to select any of the 25 varieties of pintxos on display. Don’t fill up too early though as they keep adding new pintxos every time a tray starts getting empty.
Location: Carrer de València, 169
Related article: Where to find Catalan tapas
Euskal Etxerra
As you wander through the streets of El Born, close to the Santa Maria del Mar church down a side street is a great pintxos place located in the Cultural Centre Euskal Etxea, also known as the Basque House. Euskla Etxerra showcases the best of Basque cuisine, serving excellent pintxos with a great atmosphere. If the crowd of the bar gets too big for you to handle being among them, there is a seated restaurant towards the back.
Location: Placeta de Montcada, 1
Blai 9
Carrer de Blai is a whole street dedicated to pintxos where you can find them at an incredible value of just 1€ and 1.50€ each. Head to Blai 9 if you’re looking to appreciate the classic pintxo in a whole new light and are after something a bit different. The bar serves creative and innovative pintxos that aren’t made on slices of bread. Instead, you’ll find blinis, wraps, croquettes, crepes, quesadillas and much more. The bar is not big, so, like with most places in this street, the trick is to arrive early enough to grab a seat. They also serve great local wines here from small bodegas.
Location: Carrer de Blai, 9
Maitea
Maitea is often quoted as being one of the best pintxo bars in Barcelona with over 100 different variations to choose from. The chef here learned all his skills from his mother and family from the Basque country, but you can also find a Catalan influence in the cuisine at Maitea. For example, the classic pan con tomate and a delicious calçots tortilla, which are served between January and March.
Location: Carrer de Casanova, 155
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Irati Taverna Basca
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Irati is located just off La Rambla in a small bar that you might otherwise walk straight past. This place has been in business for over 20 years offering traditional Basque dishes and of course the San Sebastian pintxo. In the restaurant area, you can sample more substantial meals such as cod ‘al pil pil’ or homemade ravioli filled with txangurro (crab).
Location: Carrer del Cardenal Casañas, 17
Which are your favorite places to eat Basque cuisine in Barcelona? Let us know by sharing and commenting below!
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* Main photo by Marcus Hansson via Visualhunt
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