Going out for pintxos in Pamplona is, in itself, a real statement of intent for visitors to the city. This is without doubt the best way to meet the people of Pamplona in a natural and fun way, as well as the thousands of visitors who wander from bar to bar along the main streets in search of food and fun.
Going out for pintxos in Pamplona is something that encourages social interaction and is a popular and successful alternative to big meals and sit-down dinners, which the capital of Navarre is also famous for, featuring the best cuisine the region has to offer (link to typical Navarrese cuisine URL).
Pubs and pintxo bars in Pamplona can be found all over the city, from the touristic Old Town (link to URL on the Old Town) to the neighbourhoods surrounding it, such as the Ensanche (link to URL on Second Ensanche). Each establishment has its own specialities that justify a stop on this long pintxo route that the people of Pamplona rightly boast about.
Of course, to discover the pintxos of Pamplona is to also delve into the pleasure of tasting the best products produced in Navarre’s vegetable gardens, fields, rivers, valleys, and forests.
The best pintxos in Pamplona
Among the best pintxos on offer in the bars of Pamplona and, without doubt, one of the most popular ones is the pintxo with eggs with chistorra sausage. This is a popular tapa which, depending on the quantity and whether it’s served with fried potatoes, can even become a main course when you sit down to lunch or dinner.
A common sight in pintxo bars is lean pork with tomato, fried cubes of ham, cooked in a tomato-based sauce, topped off with a fried egg.
As in the neighbouring Basque Country, the best pintxos in Pamplona include duck foie gras, grilled and seasoned with a reduction, such as Pedro Ximénez. And no less popular are the little dishes of cod with ajo arriero (garlic and spices) or pocha beans in the Navarrese style, so typical of the cuisine of this autonomous region. As are the piquillo peppers, usually stuffed with cod, but also with prawns and other seafood and fish.
Without a doubt, among the best pintxos in Pamplona are the so-called “bechamel appetisers”. That is to say, those in which that delicious sauce is accompanied by a main ingredient. For example, mushrooms, eggs, peppers, cheese, mussels or, typical fried foods, such as fritters or croquettes with the most varied and creative fillings.
The best pintxo bars in Pamplona
Any selection of pintxos in Pamplona is always incomplete and never enough due to the quantity, variety, and quality of these smaller dishes and the good work the establishments put into preparing and serving them. That said, below is a list of the most popular and most highly recommended establishments.
Bar Gaucho (Espoz y Mina, 7)
What makes this centrally located establishment stand out is the quality of its culinary offerings, beyond the chistorra and fried foods. Here, for example, the cod cheek fritters are a hit.
Iruñazarra (Mercaderes, 5)
In one of the most bullfighting friendly and “San Fermin style” streets in Pamplona, it’s impossible not to succumb (several times, even) to the spectacular pintxos at this bar. Among the specialities are the varied croquettes and preparations based on quality meat. There’s a lot of artistry in the plating.
Vermutería Río (San Nicolás, 15)
Their fried egg dish is one of the iconic dishes on Pamplona’s pintxo route. It’s a delight that fills hungry stomachs. Especially if paired with one of the bar’s vermouths on tap.
Bar Ezkia (Navarrería, 10)
Right next to the Cathedral, this establishment is well known among the Pamplona parishioners for its variety of fried food. The ones with peppers and squid justify a stop at this bar that also has some vegan options.
Taberna Onā (San Gregorio, 22)
A small bar with a classic style and décor, as well as a home-style cook, whose specialities include tortilla skewers and garlic prawns.
Infernu Taberna (San Agustín, 4)
This bar, located next to the Town Hall and that has a striking décor, is a hit with the younger (and not so young) crowd for its selection of Spanish craft beers, wines, vermouths, and a variety of cocktails. Also for its gildas (toothpick skewers with an olive, an anchovy, and a guindilla pepper), and torreznos (pork scratchings).
Baserriberri (San Nicolás, 32)
Modern cuisine, although with a strong traditional base; small plates (such as the pintxos) or sit-down dining (in the dining room, à la carte, or from two tasting menus). Among the pintxos, the croquettes, the original sandwiches and the bOOmVeja, one time winner of the Navarre Pintxo Week competition, stand out.
La Mandarra de La Ramos (San Nicolás, 9)
Unconventional pintxos in an establishment that is as welcoming as it is busy, especially during festivities and at weekends. Among the most popular are the truffle, bechamel and caramelised onion pintxo, the pepper ball, and the fried foods in general.
Mejor ruta de pintxos de Pamplona
The best pintxo route in Pamplona to enjoy during a morning or noon break or in the afternoon/evening must start at Bar Gaucho. It’s a place where you’ll be delighted to be surrounded by the best meats, vegetables, and pulses Navarre has to offer. It’s also home to some of the region’s best wines.
Then you can go to Baserriberri and get a taste of the creative and innovative Navarrese cuisine in the form of pintxos and sharing plates. This is a highly recommendable experience, and you should go with an open mind.
Afterwards, Iruñazarra is well worth a visit. A classic stop on Pamplona’s pintxo route which, nevertheless, has been partly renovated to continue offering what, for many, are the best tapas and sharing plates in the city. In this regard, it’s a good idea to ask the local staff for advice and enjoy the seasonal delicacies.
The fourth stop on the best pintxo route in Pamplona should undoubtedly be Asador Katuzarra (San Nicolás, 34-36), where you can order their omelette, which is one of the biggest delicacies on the menu. The omelette is as exquisite as it is juicy and irresistible.
An ideal last stop is La Mandarra de la Ramos. As well as enjoying its varied offer of creative pintxos there, we recommend that you observe and discover some of the defining elements of Navarrese culture. Although it’s certainly true that, depending on your stamina levels, you could continue the pintxo route in many other nearby bars.
Where to eat in Pamplona
If you’d like to know where to eat in Pamplona, that’s an easy one: anywhere in the city. The range of pintxo bars and restaurants on offer (link to Where to eat in Pamplona URL) is very wide indeed, which is surprising when you consider how many people live in the municipality.
And, even so, there are certain areas with a more extensive gastronomic offering compared to others. The old town is a particular highlight, where there are more than 200 catering establishments of varying sizes. In other words, almost a fifth of all the establishments of this type in the whole of Pamplona.
But there are also places to enjoy the pintxos of Pamplona and large-scale cuisine in the Ensanches and other outlying districts.
For example, in bars and restaurants such as La Navarra (Amaya, 10), where they serve one of the best potato omelettes in the region. Or La Bankada (Castillo de Maya, 25), to which many locals and visitors flock to try their special croquettes and salads. There are also the different bars located in or around the Ensanche Market. A good example is the pintxos and creative dishes at El Mercáo.
