Bilbao (and Basque Country in general) is like the Seattle of Spain - it can be dreary, overcast and cloudy. The sun is trying its best to break through the thick, dense cloud cover and I, poorly prepared for a day where the August daytime high was 16 degrees centigrade (low 60s Fareneheit), was in dire need of a coffee to warm me up and some breakfast.
While ambling around the various streets, I noticed very few cafeterias (which struck me as a surprise). But as I took a turn to walk in the main direction of San Nicolas (a church in the heart of Casco Viejo, or the old part of Bilbao), I spotted a cafeteria that was positively buzzing with life and brimming with people. I wedged myself in at the one seat available at the bar and asked for one of the breakfast specials, a cafe solo and a small pastry. (I have a sweet tooth all of the time, but especially at breakfast.) There was no pastel vasco (the very traditional pastry of Basque Country), so I ordered the pastel de arroz (a rice-based, tart-like pastry). For 2.30 euro, this was exactly what I needed to start my day. My 2.30 euro breakfast became a way of life while staying in Basque Country.
If pastries and croissants are not what you prefer to eat at breakfast, Cafe Bizuete also has a breakfast pintxo special - a fixed price for a pintxo of your choice and a coffee. To me, the pintxos do not seem much different than the ones you would eat at any other point during the day: tortilla, goat cheese, peppers, etc. As I said, the cafeteria is normally packed, but on a nice day, you can have a seat at the outdoor terrace area in the plaza. read more