Pintxos is going to be a big trend this year: here’s where to eat

Looking for an authentic taste of the Basque Country without taking the flight? The UK's clutch of cool pintxos bars offer the best of south-west Europe’s snacking culture and serve up the classics in a typically casual fashion, from gildas and gambas al ajillo to lightly sparkling txakoli. Capturing the spirit of pintxos (Basque-style tapas), these buzzy tabernas make great spots for Spanish-style grazing and sipping.

Best pintxos bars in London

Legado, Shoreditch

Experience Basque dishes on a fine dining level at this elegant outlet, inspired by Basque-born chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho's childhood. Open for walk-ins only, The Taberna – the pintxos and tapas bar separate to the main restaurant – features an all-day menu that's nearly impossible to pick favourites from. However, the gordal olives and the chicharrón de Cádiz are currently on the menu and are must orders. You can also find pan con tomate, bocadillos and croquetas among the options, with a broad drinks list featuring vermouth, dry and sweet sherry and ‘three-sip’ cocktails. legadorestaurants.com

Tollington's, Finsbury Park

Housed in a former chippy, this Iberian-style fish bar breaks with tradition, inspired by the flavours of northern Spain but using local ingredients to give it a distinctive twist. Vermouth flows on tap, while the chips get a spicy salsa brava makeover – fried in beef dripping and finished with a generous hunk of homemade allioli. The line-up also includes the mighty bifana sandwich, pickled anchovies and battered cod cheeks.

The standing-only terrace and walk-in-only bar counter area elicits the energy of a backstreet San Sebastián bar, plus a back room for sit-down meals. instagram.com/tollingtons.fishbar

Bar Flor, Belgravia

Tucked away above Wildflowers in Belgravia, Bar Flor is a warmly lit wine bar inspired by Spain's love of sherry and vermouth. Expect a thoughtful selection of sherries – from saline manzanilla to the palo cortado and raisin-rich PX – alongside English vermouth from Vault, which can be enjoyed neat or topped with soda or tonic. There’s also Basque cider and a handful of cocktails, including a bittersweet adonis (sherry and vermouth) and a dirty martini with a tangy peschiole pickle liqueur twist.

Crafted by co-founder and chef Aaron Potter, the menu offers a line-up of pintxos and tapas that are perfectly matched to the drinks. Highlights include cave-aged manchego with honey, juicy gambas al ajillo and a deep-fried oyster draped in iberico guanciale. The must-order is the calamari sandwich: crisp, hot, deep-fried squid tucked into a baguette and slathered with garlicky allioli – a nostalgic nod to Madrid’s classic bocadillo de calamares.

Bar Valette, Shoreditch

Bar Valette captures the spirit of a warm neighbourhood hangout – expect mustard-hued banquettes, crisp white tablecloths and pops of modernist art, with the hum of conversation from the semi-open kitchen and bar. The bar's Pintxos Hour is a must for those seeking a taste of Basque Country's lively bar culture. From Tuesday to Saturday 5-7pm the bar serves up £4 drinks and a changing menu of pintxos, including classic gildas, barbajuans, mussel and pork skewers, and sardine toast. It’s a convivial way to graze your way through a variety of appealing morsels, in a buzzy setting that feels both welcoming yet stylish. barvalette.com

Bask Street Boys, Seven Dials Market

Bask Street Boys within Seven Dials feels more true to the pintxos bars in San Sebastián, where you tend to stand up and eat. The rotating line-up of pintxos, cold cuts, cheeses and classic gildas evokes the Basque ethos: simple, confident food done properly. Pan con tomate (our favourite on our visit) sits alongside golden Spanish tortillas, made with distinctly Basque ingredients like paprika-spiced txistorra (a type of chorizo).

Graduating from KERB’s inKERBator programme in 2024, the team traveled extensively through the Basque region, learning from local chefs and home cooks, and perfecting recipes passed down through generations. baskstreetboys.com

Topa, Islington

By day this neighbourhood spot is the slick Provisions deli, well stocked with continental cheeses, charcuterie and fine wines. Come evening, Provisions morphs into Topa (meaning cheers in Basque) – a homage to San Sebastián just minutes from Highbury & Islington station. The set-up is as convivial as the food: a communal table stretches through the space, inviting guests to share dishes and conversation, while those seeking a cosier setting can opt for a barrel table.

Chef Simon Shand draws on the deli’s premium produce to craft Basque bites, from nutty ossau-iraty cheese paired with roasted pickled onion to morcilla blood sausage with apple – a clever balance between savoury and sweet. The gildas, a trio of guindilla pepper, anchovy and olive, deliver a punchy hit of salt, heat, crunch and creaminess. From the plates think meltingly tender pork cheek stew atop creamy polenta, and wild mushrooms crowned with raw egg yolk and translucent guanciale. Order a glass of txakoli to drink, the lightly sparkling Basque white wine, or try a patxaran and tonic for a traditional aperitif with subtle notes of sloe berry. provisionslondon.co.uk

Bar Rioja, King's Cross

Tucked away around the corner of King's Cross St Pancras, Bar Rioja is an Andalusian-style hideaway dedicated to the celebrated wines of Rioja. This intimate spot is perfect for those interested in immersing themselves in the region’s famed hospitality. Pintxos are the star of the show here – from the quintessential Basque gilda (anchovy, pickled pepper and green olive skewered together) to more indulgent plates such as slow-braised, roasted Segovian suckling pig with celeriac purée and amontillado sherry jus. Hire the space and book in a tasting with passionate owner Richard Bigg for a truly memorable evening, his knowledge of Rioja’s vineyards is matched only by his enthusiasm for sharing them. barrioja.co.uk

Best pintxos bars across the UK…

Pintxo de Bath, Bath

Tucked away in Bath’s theatre district, Pintxo is a Basque-inspired tapas bar that brings a slice of northern Spain to Somerset. The pretty garden out back is the perfect spot for lingering over its dedicated sherry menu, while inside the menu is all about sharing plates and sociable snacking. Start with pan con tomate y jamón, or opt for tinned sardines with bread and aïoli before moving on to albóndigas (meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce), gambas al ajillo and fried padrón peppers. For something sweet, the concise dessert menu delivers: warm chocolate and almond cake, and vanilla ice cream can be enjoyed solo or together, ideally with a shot of pedro ximenez sherry on the side. pintxobath.co.uk

Curado, Cardiff

Brought to life by the trailblazing team behind Welsh deli Ultracomida, Curado is Cardiff’s go-to for authentic pintxos and relaxed Spanish vibes. Settle in at the bustling bar for chargrilled lamb cutlets dressed with a punchy garlic and parsley picada, or opt for baked Valencian goat’s cheese and cuttlefish a la plancha. Pintxos and jamón are sourced straight from Spanish suppliers, ensuring every bite feels like a quick trip to the Basque Country. When the evening calls for a little more, slip next door to cosy sister spot Vermut, where sherry and the eponymous herbal wine take centre stage. curadobar.com

Pintxo, Fowey

Step away from Fowey’s bustling quayside and wander towards the esplanade, where Pintxo sits tucked between lofty townhouses. This lively tapas bar is the go-to for a Spanish-inspired lunch, with a menu that champions Valencian rosemary almonds, fiery pickled chillies and manchego drizzled with orange blossom honey. There’s plenty for those in search of something special: think spider crab and saffron croquetas, best paired with either a chilled glass of manzanilla, Spanish brandy or a pour of traditional El Gaitero cider. pintxofowey.co.uk

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