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Latest update: 15 February 2025
Córdoba is more than just the Mezquita and charming alleyways. Food lovers have plenty to discover, from surprisingly good coffee bars to a three-star Michelin restaurant, traditional churros, and modern tapas. In this food guide, I’ll take you to the tastiest spots in the city.
Coffee bars in Córdoba
Generally, I find coffee in Spain pretty much undrinkable. It’s almost always a disappointment. First, because frothing milk is usually unsuccessful, and second, because Spanish establishments often serve torrefacto coffee. This means that sugar is sprinkled over the coffee beans at the very end of the roasting process. The sugar melts and forms a thin layer around the beans, making them look black and shiny. For taste, it means it lingers longer and is bitter. I personally don’t like it at all, but fortunately, I’ve found some coffee bars in Córdoba that do serve good coffee!
The Coffee Club
In the heart of Córdoba, you’ll find The Coffee Club, a small but lovely coffee bar that stands out from the predominantly Spanish coffee scene in the city. They serve a surprisingly good oat milk cappuccino and fresh croissants. The space is modest – with just two seats and a small bar – and the open door doesn’t make it ideal for lengthy coffee sessions. Still, this is one of the few places in Córdoba where you can truly enjoy a quality cup of coffee. A perfect pit stop for a quick caffeine boost while walking through the city’s historic streets.
Arábiga Coffee
At Arábiga Coffee, the owner selects the best coffee beans from countries including Colombia and Peru. It’s a small place with modern decor and a super friendly barista (who I think is also the owner). There are only a few seats, and they’re all taken, so I get my cappuccino to go, which is perfectly made. If you’re hungry, they also have sweet treats ready for you.
Churros at Mojaelchurro
At Mojaelchurro, it’s all about fresh churros – you know, those long, crispy Spanish snacks that taste a bit like funnel cake. Sweet + fried = delicious! The cheerful ladies behind the counter make them fresh and serve them with hot chocolate so thick your spoon almost stands up straight in it. Most people take their churros to go, but if you’re lucky, you might snag a spot on the sunny terrace.
![Churros Córdoba Mojaelchurro - Churro shop 'Mojaelchurro' with turquoise drawers, decorated with red Christmas baubles, selling churros, chocolate and natural juices]](https://i0.wp.com/tripunlocked.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Churros-Cordoba-Mojaelchurro.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
Traditional dishes from Córdoba
Of course, you’ll order tapas in Spain. Make sure to try the local Córdoba dishes too, as they’re worth tasting. Salmorejo, rabo de toro (oxtail), berenjenas con miel (eggplant with honey), and flamenquín are on most local restaurant menus.
Salmorejo is probably the most famous – a creamy cold soup made from tomatoes, bread, garlic, and olive oil. It’s different from gazpacho because it’s thicker and creamier due to the bread. Usually served topped with bits of ham and boiled egg. I personally love it.
Then there’s rabo de toro (oxtail), a stew historically made from bulls that had fought in the arena. The meat is braised for hours until it’s butter-soft, in a rich sauce of red wine and vegetables. Many restaurants make different dishes with oxtail, so you can try various versions.
Berenjenas con miel (eggplant with honey) is also typical of Córdoba – crispy, fried slices of eggplant drizzled with honey. The mix of savory and sweet is surprisingly delicious. Fair warning: the portions are usually huge.
Another specialty is flamenquín – like breaded rolls of ham and cheese fried until crispy. It sounds too much like a Cordon Bleu to me, and I’m not a fan of those, so I skip the flamenquín.
Drinks at CRV
Near the impressive Mezquita, you’ll find CRV, a sunny spot perfect for relaxed drinks. The terrace has a prime location: as soon as you cross the Roman Bridge (Puente Romano) and walk through the stately Bridge Gate (Puerta del Puente), you’ll see it. It’s the perfect place to recover from sightseeing with a drink and some small bites while people-watching.
Dining at Garum 2.1
At Garum 2.1, traditional Andalusian cuisine is reimagined with a modern twist. Their award-winning salmorejo – a cold, creamy soup enriched with apple and shrimp – is an absolute must-try. The steak tartare arrives under a smoke-filled glass dome, and they even serve oxtail churros (yes, really!). The service is super attentive. While it’s not the cheapest restaurant in Córdoba, it’s the place to go for innovative flavors.
The restaurant’s name refers to an ancient fish sauce: garum. It was a fermented fish sauce essential in ancient Roman cuisine, comparable to how we use soy sauce today. It was made from fermented fish with salt and had quite the smell. While it’s no longer made today, you still come across the name, like at Garum 2.1 in Córdoba or the Garum wine from Bodegas Luis Pérez.
Modern food hall Mercado Victoria
Mercado Victoria is THE place where locals grab their lunch or drinks – you can tell by the lively atmosphere. In this modern food hall, everything from ham and cheese to tacos and pizzas is spread across different stalls. It’s usually bustling with Spaniards. Be patient when looking for a spot – sometimes you need to wait a bit or be smart and join others at the high tables. But once you’re settled with a plate of fresh fried fish and a glass of wine, you’ll understand why everyone loves coming here.
La Bicicleta
La Bicicleta offers a refreshingly different cuisine than you might be used to in Spain. A friendly hostess in this small, cozy bar serves light, healthy dishes like cod with orange and zucchini with goat cheese. The menu is a welcome change from all the fried tapas in the city. The restaurant only has a handful of tables and is popular, so get there early! During the day, it’s also an excellent spot for a healthy smoothie.
Three-star dining experience at Noor
If you’re celebrating something special and want to go upscale, make a reservation at Noor. At this three-Michelin-starred restaurant, you know from the first moment that this won’t be an ordinary evening. It starts with washing your hands with orange blossom water – a small ritual that makes you curious about what’s to come.
The black and white dining room has a theater-style setup: you’re practically in the open kitchen (it takes some getting used to having the entire brigade watching you eat). We even have front-row seats, which is slightly awkward. The service is SO attentive – your glass literally never runs empty, and all plates are set down or cleared with military precision. Even the bathroom is perfectly styled, with black toilet paper and fancy Aesop soap. You choose your menu in advance, and each dish is served with an explanation in English – although sometimes it is more whispered than said out loud. The chef even comes to say hello at your table.
While not everything is a home run (I found the lamb with wagyu a bit too fatty, for example), an evening at Noor is a memorable experience where every detail has been carefully considered.
More Spain inspiration?
Helpful links for your Spain trip
- Accommodation. Booking.com is always a popular choice. But you could also check Homecamper | campspace or Hostelworld for more options. HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. You can also check out WithLocals. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalk and try Baja Bikes for bike tours.
- Attractions and museums. Interested in a 5% discount on museums and other attractions? Use this discount code at Tiqets: KIMOPREIS22
- Bus and train. If you want to travel by bus or train to or in Spain, Busbud and Omio are excellent companies for planning your transportation.
- Boat. You can take a boat from Barcelona to the Balearic Islands, or take a ferry between the islands. Check out the options at Direct Ferries.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check out Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You could try Expedia or CheapOair.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel guides. I like paper travel guides to browse through, for sale at Amazon, among others.
- Yoga retreat. Or treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Spain.
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