Bar Santamaría is a tapas bar in Casco Viejo, Bilbao. Rated 4.6 stars from 1863 Google reviews. Known for grilled pintxos made to order and generous portions and quality meat. Best for groups and solo dining. Features a terrace. Price range: €10-20.
Rankings updated June 2026
Bar Santamaría
Across 1,830 rated reviews, 92% gave four or five stars.
| Rating | 4.6★ |
| Reviews | 1,863 |
| 1-star share | 2.3% |
| Best for | Lunch |
In Their Own Words
Review highlights surfaced by Google — shown in English, with the original beneath
“Delicious pintxos – we tried the cod and the 'secreto' and they were absolutely delicious.”
“Deliciosos pintxos, hemos probado el bacalao y el secreto y muy muy buenos.”
“A lovely atmosphere; the grilled tapas are delicious.”
“Ambiente agradable, muy ricos los pinchos a la brasa.”
“A skewer of sirloin, chorizo and black pudding... all absolutely delicious and highly recommended.”
“Brocheta de solomillo, chorizo, morcilla....todo super rico y muy recomendable.”
Quick Verdict
Bar Santamaría is a casco-viejo institution for grilled pintxos and brasa-cooked meats, delivering consistent quality, generous portions, and welcoming service at fair prices.
You want authentic Bilbao pintxos made fresh at the grill, with generous portions and a lively, unpretentious crowd.
About Bar Santamaría
Bar Santamaría sits at the heart of casco-viejo's tapas culture, known for consistent excellence. The kitchen specializes in pintxos a la brasa—grilled skewers of bacalao, solomillo, chorizo, and morcilla—all cooked to order and served piping hot. Reviewers praise the quality of the meat, the generosity of portions, and the fact that nothing arrives reheated. The bar draws a mix of university students, local groups, and tourists seeking authentic Bilbao pintxo experience. Service is attentive and friendly, with staff navigating the perpetual crowds with ease. Pricing sits comfortably at €10–20, striking a balance between quality and accessibility. The atmosphere is informal and lively—a place to stand at the bar, order a few pintxos and a beer or wine, and soak in the energy of the old town.
In the last 90 days, Bar Santamaría has drawn 37 substantial written reviews (50+ characters of genuine feedback) — recent momentum that is one of the signals behind its place on the hot list.
What Stands Out
Grilled pintxos made to order
Multiple reviewers highlight 'pintxos a la brasa hechos al momento' and 'recién hechos' (freshly made), with one noting 'cooked meats pinxtos' are 'above average' and another calling them 'the best in Bilbao'.
Generous portions and quality meat
Reviewers consistently praise 'raciones generosas', 'cantidades super generosas', and note the 'buena calidad' of the meat, with specific praise for bacalao, entrecot, pulpo, and chistorra.
Fair pricing and value
Multiple 5-star reviews emphasize 'muy buen precio', 'precio justo', 'precios competitivos', and 'barato', with one noting 'calidad-precio adecuado' and another calling it 'muy bueno y barato'.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
Andra Maria Kalea, 18, Ibaiondo, 48005 Bilbao, Biscay, España
☀️Outdoor
Frequently Asked Questions about Bar Santamaría
Yes. Bar Santamaría specializes in pintxos a la brasa cooked to order at the grill. Reviewers consistently praise them as 'hechos en el momento' (made to order) and 'recién hechos' (freshly made), never reheated.
Yes. The bar is popular for solo dinner and designed for standing at the counter. You can order a few pintxos and a drink without commitment, making it ideal for a quick, informal meal.
The grilled pintxos are the signature: bacalao, solomillo, chorizo, morcilla, pulpo, entrecot, and chistorra are all frequently praised. Alcachofas con jamón (artichokes with ham) is also a standout.
Yes, it's consistently busy, especially during lunch and dinner hours. The small space fills quickly, but service remains efficient. It's best suited for those comfortable in a lively, standing-room atmosphere.
Expect to spend €10–20 per person. Pintxos are individually priced and modest in cost; a few pintxos plus a drink typically falls in the lower end of that range.
Yes, the bar offers outdoor seating (asientos al aire libre), though space is limited in the narrow casco-viejo streets.
Also in Casco Viejo
View all22 venues changed rank in Casco Viejo this week → See full zone ranking
How We Rank Venues
Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
How our monthly rankings work