Café Iruña, over a century of flavor and history in the heart of Bilbao

Bep Al·lès/Bilbao - Some places don’t just serve food — they serve the city itself. Café Iruña, opened in 1903 opposite the Albia Gardens, is one of those iconic spaces that form part of Bilbao’s soul. With more than a hundred years of history, this café-restaurant has been a meeting point for intellectuals, artists, and travelers, and today it remains a must-stop for foodies eager to taste tradition in a monumental setting.

Stepping through its doors means entering a Mudéjar-inspired universe, with polychrome tiles, ornate arches, and murals that evoke another era. The experience begins at the generous and colorful bar, where pintxos sit alongside house classics such as pinchos morunos and the emblematic serranito. It also offers a daily set menu and an à la carte selection of traditional Basque cuisine — ideal for a leisurely lunch or an informal dinner right in the city center.

Café Iruña is the kind of place worth enjoying without haste: for a vermouth, an afternoon coffee, or a full meal after visiting the Guggenheim and the Old Town. Lively and cosmopolitan, it naturally combines local essence with tourist appeal. For the gastronomic traveler, it is much more than a restaurant — it is a living icon of classic Bilbao.

Café Iruña

Location: Colón de Larreátegui, 13 – 48001 Bilbao, Bizkaia (emblematic space opposite the Albia Gardens)
Phone: +34 944 237 021
Web: www.cafeirunabilbao.net
Email: cafeiruna@grupoiruna.net
Opening year: 1903
Specialties: Assorted pintxos, pinchos morunos, serranito, and traditional Basque cuisine
Atmosphere: Historic, monumental, and full of local character
Open: Year-round, serving breakfast, daily set menu, and à la carte dinners
Ideal for: Vermouth, breakfast, lunch, or dinner with classic charm and a historical immersion