Since 1903, Café Iruña has been a fixture of Bilbao life, drawing locals to its ornate dining room for pintxos, txakoli, and conversation. More than a century later, the crowds keep coming.

At Río Oja, four classic Basque sauces and a counter full of casseroles offer a taste of the Bilbao that existed long before the Guggenheim changed the city.

From century-old pintxo bars to modern Basque grill houses, this is your essential guide to where to eat in Bilbao, Spain