Cafetería Florida

Cafetería Florida

A Classic with Soul in the Heart of Bilbao

Florida Café isn’t just a legendary burger joint in Bilbao — it’s a piece of living history. It opened its doors in 1981 at number 28 on Rodríguez Arias Street and has since become a beloved meeting place for entire generations.

For over four decades, Florida has witnessed first loves, endless chats between friends, after-school snacks, and late-night dinners after concerts. Everyone who’s been there has a memory: the unmistakable flavor of their burgers, the aroma of grilled meat, pancakes with whipped cream and syrup, the L-shaped bar with its metal stools, and that unmistakable vibe of a true lifelong café.

From the beginning, their winning formula has been simple: homemade food, friendly service, and lots of care in every dish. What started as a humble neighborhood spot slowly won over the heart of the whole city. Today, speaking of Florida is speaking of one of Bilbao’s most cherished culinary institutions.

Their menu doesn’t need fancy flourishes. The stars are their 100% beef burgers, freshly made, with fried onions, homemade American sauce, and crispy buns. But you’ll also find classic sandwiches, timeless combo plates, croquettes, and of course, their legendary pancakes — a staple of Bilbao’s collective memory.

Florida is one of those places where there’s always a familiar song playing in the background, where the waiter knows your name, and where everything stays just the same, no matter how many years go by. That’s where its magic lies: in consistency, flavor, and authenticity.

Florida Café isn’t trying to reinvent itself — it doesn’t need to. It’s a place to return to, to enjoy again and again, to savor the past without rushing. And in a city that’s changing at full speed, Florida remains a reference point, a refuge, a small piece of shared memory.