Every year Vitoria holds annual pintxo contests, turning appetizers into art. Local bars and restaurants compete for the prize trophies.
Pintxos in Old Town
The cobblestone streets of the Old Quarter in Vitoria-Gasteiz are a great place to sample some of Alava´s best tapas. Some of the best-known pintxos can be found at, Toloño (Cuesta de San Francisco, 3), which offers unique dishes, La Malquerida (Raid, 10), try the pulpo with ali-oli, and Kokodrilo (Raid, 47), their specialties are bite sized sandwiches called pulguitas. On Calle Herrería (Blacksmith Street) a must stop is Erkiaga for la vieira del peregrino (the Pilgrim scallops). In Barron (Pintorería, 2) order the huevos rotos (broken eggs). Other notable bars in this area are Hor Dago (Fray Zechariah, 2) or the cafe, Virgen Blanca (Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, 3).
Pintxos in Down Town
The commercial area of the city, where the locals enjoy their afternoon strolls, is called the Centro. Calle Rioja has an excellent selection of bars including, El Rincón de Luis Mari and La Viña (Rioja, 24). Order las traineras, salmon rolls and mushroom pintxos with jamon and prawns at Bar Dolar (Florida, 26) and the creative pintxos from Salburua (Fueros, 19). On Calle Dato, other good bars include, JG (Dato, 27), Saburdi and Usokari.
Learn more about Vitoria Fiestas.
