🇪🇸 Bilbao shop | a different seafood restaurant

🦞 Ipar Itxaso’s Bizkaia Branch: The Viral Seafood Spot Even First-Timers Love! Ipar Itxaso’s seafood joints are legendary—basically everyone knows them. And I finally visited their Bizkaia location! 🌚 Their original spot in Vitoria always felt like too much of a hassle (car-only), but this one? Just a 20-minute drive from Bilbao—way easier. 😊 🦐 The Vibe: It’s Not Your Typical Restaurant Walk in, and it’s more like a seafood market than a diner. There’s a huge counter loaded with fresh catches—you pick what you want by weight. Drinks and desserts? Head upstairs to the bar. It’s a fun twist on dining out! 🍤 What We Ate: Even a Seafood Skeptic Was Hooked Croquetas: Two kinds—jamón y queso (ham and cheese, creamy perfection) and chipiron (squid, dyed black from ink). I was nervous about the black ones… but they’re amazing. 😋 Vieiras rellenas: Stuffed scallops—no clue what they’re called, but first bite? Love at first taste. Chopitos: Fried squid rings? Crispy, light, and so good. Gambas: Tiny shrimp—sweet, fresh, and addictive. Navajas: …No idea the English name, but tender, briny, and delicious. Langostinos: Bigger shrimp—we tried two types, both incredible. Necora: Little crabs 🦀️—messy to eat, but so worth the effort. Pulpo: Classic Spanish octopus—tender, smoky, perfect. Paella: Spain’s famous seafood rice! We picked our own seafood to add, and it was unreal. So flavorful. Desserts: Tiramisu, flan, and tarta de hojaldre (a flaky pastry tart)—all classic, all tasty. 🌟 Why It Won Me Over I used to avoid seafood—once got food poisoning from bad fish (late-night vomiting, yikes). But this place? Game-changer. Everything’s fresh, prices are fair, and now I’m actually excited to eat seafood again. If you’re in Bilbao, drive the 20 minutes. Trust me—you won’t regret it. 📍 Ipar Itxaso 2, Goierri Errepidea, 13, 48650 Elexalde, Bizkaia #IparItxaso #BilbaoSeafood #SeafoodLovers #SpanishEats #FoodieFinds