On our recent trip to Cordoba, Spain, food was high on the list of things our family was looking forward to. I watched countless YouTube videos and read numerous online reviews to create a restaurant list in the weeks leading up to the trip. Cordoba was the last stop on a 2-week trip through Adalusia. What I hadn’t anticipated is just how much traditional Spanish food we would have eaten by this point in the trip. We were starting to look forward to good ol’ American food again. Especially, a home cooked meal.
Bodega Guzman ranked high on our list
Bodega Guzman was highly recommended by multiple online sources. I planned to eat here our first evening. Videos I watched stressed the importance of a reservation, but it was closed when we walked by (from 4-8pm). So, I moved this restaurant to the second night. On our second day in Cordoba, everything I found online suggested that they don’t actually take reservations. We got there before it opened (at 8pm), since we didn’t have a reservation and hoped for the best. This strategy seemed to work at a few other restaurants in Spain (it was off season so that may have helped). Someone quickly welcomed us in. We were so excited to be there, until we got the menu.
But, it shouldn't have
The menu did have lots of tapas. And the prices were cheap. I understand you really need to drink the sherry here because it comes from the barrel. But, there was nothing on the list that Gary or I actually wanted to eat. We found a few things we could try to eat if we had to. But the kids…there was no way our kids would eat anything on the menu. I wish I could find the menu online to share here, as I feel like you need to see it to understand. We like to try new things when we travel, but Bodega Guzman taught us there is a limit for us. We had invested a lot of money into restaurants recommended to us online that had disappointed us, and it was kind of annoying at this point. We really wanted food that tasted good to us. We quickly left the restaurant before ordering. To be fair, if it had been the first restaurant on our trip, I am sure we would have stayed and found something good to say. But at this point in our trip, we just wanted something good to eat. I do not recommend the menu for hungry families or less adventurous eaters. Although there are lots of people who love this place. I think it is fair to say that it might not be for everyone. In any case, this place wasn’t for us. We didn’t need to spend money here to figure that out.
Adventurous eaters should definitely give this place a try, especially for the local atmosphere and great prices! I bet it is also a good place to drink and perhaps even snack, once you have already had a drink or two!
Our Search for food in Cordoba continued
After leaving Bodega Guzman, we ended up eating at Taberna Casa Bravo. We were feeling a bit defeated and it was just around the corner. We compared a few menus on the narrow street and picked this one because it looked inviting. The service was really good. Those working here were very friendly. We ordered a number of items to share as a family. Patatas bravas, the oxtail, a Caesar salad, some chicken, fried cod, and a few other things. One of the items we ordered must’ve got lost in translation because we ended up with a large plate of fried eggplant drizzled in honey.
The front of Taberna Casa Bravo located at Calle Puerta de Almodovar.
The photo above shows the back dining area. It had a true Spanish feel, and quickly filled up. We used our phones to translate menu items.
The photo above shows the oxtail, which was one of the better dishes we ordered.
The patatas bravas in the photo above weren’t the best ones we had in Spain, but we could eat them.
The Caesar salad was good. The chicken and cod were less popular. Our bill was about 100 EUR exactly. I think a person could eat here, but I wouldn’t suggest you go out of your way to find this place. Unless you are looking for good service and friendly people. This place gets a 10 out of 10 for their service based on our experience. But the food was just okay.
Other Cordoba restaurants topping our list
When we checked into our apartment, I asked two separate people with the rental agency for dinner recommendations. One told me they didn’t have recommendations yet because they had not yet finished making agreements with the local restaurants (really?!). I clarified my question for the second person and asked where they would personally eat. I was told Moriles Ribera. I was also warned that because it was close to the Christmas holiday, that it might be impossible to get a table as many locals would be there having celebrations. The reviews online are mixed, but maybe it is a restaurant to try! It looks good online…
The other places I had on my list that we didn’t try:
Bodegas Mezquita Ribera Bodegas Mezquita Ribera | Reserva ahora | See MENU
Casa Rubio | Restaurant in Cordoba – Restaurante Casa Rubio (restaurantecasarubiocordoba.es) | See MENU
Taberna Gongora | Taberna Góngora – Restaurant Córdoba | Mediterranean & Spanish cuisine near me | Book now (eatbu.com)
Discovering new places not on our list
While our dinners weren’t the best, we did enjoy our breakfasts and lunches in Cordoba. And these places weren’t planned. We just popped in, like we used to before I started planning every detail. What I learned on this trip is that we limit our experience by planning out everyplace we want to eat in advance. Chances are all the tourists are watching the same videos, recommending the same places, and then flocking to those places to cement their status as popular choices. Meanwhile, many low-key gems are missed. Trying new places you never heard of or thought of before, is a part of the adventure. It also might be the best way to find the best place to eat in Cordoba!
After this trip, I am rethinking my strategy for how I research places to eat. In particular, I think I will rely less on YouTube videos rehashing the same lists for other tourists. And I will be more inclined to eat at places I see in person that look good, rather than trying so hard to find someplace on my list.
Cafe Bar El Porton
Just outside Almodovar Gate is a friendly little place we stopped for breakfast at. It offered full sun, on a colder winter day which many areas inside the wall were shaded. We found the service to be efficient and friendly. But online reviews are again mixed.
Pastelerias Roldan
If you have read my post about Christmas in Cordoba, then you probably already know how much my family enjoyed this little place. It was really close to our apartment. It was filled with locals. And while we visited more than once a day, it was a great place to grab breakfast. You can of course take items to go, but you can sit down and order from the table. One of the mornings a group of local women who worked at the nearby grocery store were at the table next to us eating a traditional Spanish breakfast of Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread) and coffee before work. There are multiple locations in Cordoba, so if you see one, its worth a stop in to see what is on display!
Quick and inexpensive lunch or snacks in Cordoba
La Tranquera Solo Empanadas
Location: Calle Sevilla 13
While we were out and about in Cordoba, there were a couple of times we wanted a bite to eat but didn’t want to spend the time sitting in a restaurant. As a result, we got to try a couple of quick eats that we liked. The first one was La Tranquera Solo Empanadas selling a selection of perfectly formed empanadas. We had seen other shops selling empanadas throughout Spain, but these were the only ones we tried. And they were so good. Every single flavor we tried, from the basil caprese to the cheeseburger one. I imagine we would have ate here again if we had been in Cordoba longer.
Slice of New York Pizza (in Cordoba)
We also grabbed pizza by the slice from Slice of New York Pizza, from a pizza window. It was cheap, and it was good. It hit the spot at the time, what else can I say? I didn’t realize it was “NY” pizza until I looked up its name for this post. I thought I was eating Spanish pizza. You can find it right inside the Almodovar Gate.
Restaurante El Olivo
Location: Avd. Dr. Fleming, 25
Taberna Restaurante El Olivo | Córdoba | Facebook
We had drinks and some light food at Restaurante El Olivo, and this place was good! I also thought it was inexpensive. We paid 29,35 EUR for 2 glasses of wine, 1 glass of champagne, 1 bottle of coke, 1 liter of water, 1 patatas fritas, 1 brownie chocolate cake, and 1 piece of cheesecake. Everything tasted good and our waiter was friendly.
The reason we tried this place was because when we were checking into our apartment in Cordoba, we were told the employees were at lunch. I saw them come from this restaurant, and two hours later, I still saw them enjoying themselves here. So while they weren’t able to verbally give me many recommendations on where to eat, I could only assume they liked this place! And so did we.
The Cosmopolitan
Location: Plaza Juda Levi S/N
We had wine, a pizza, and some patatas bravas while taking a short break from exploring the historic center one afternoon. The restaurant offers nice indoor and outdoor seating. The prices were a bit higher than other places and the food wasn’t great. Of course, we only sampled two items so who knows? The pizza was for my son who loves pizza. It had a fluffy crust (almost like an American pizza), but we didn’t think it tasted very good. If we went here again, it would probably just be for drinks. As I mentioned, it has nice seating.
See the MENU
The restaurant in Cordoba I should be recommending
Restaurante La Chiquita de Quini
Location: Calle Manrique 3
The only reason we ended up at the Cosmopolitan (above) was because we didn’t eat at Restaurante La Chiquita de Quini. We had walked past this place several times during our time in Cordoba and it was always lively, filled with locals. It was probably the most lively place we came across in all of Cordoba. It was always packed with people eating and drinking, and looking like they were having the time of their life. We tried to join in, but as soon as we entered, we were clearly out of place. It was close to the Christmas holiday and everyone was dressed very nicely for a meal with friends or family. We weren’t dressed nicely. And there were no empty tables, so we stood out like a sore thumb waiting. Feeling a bit embarrassed, we left and ended up across the way at Restaurante Cosmopolitan. Had we eaten at Restaurante La Chiquita de Quini, I am pretty sure I would be recommending this place to everyone! In addition to an extensive menu (I linked it below) that caters to a variety of preferences, they also have a kids menu that would appeal to my crew! And the restaurant itself is very inviting and nicely decorated.
See the MENU
Puerta Sevilla Taberna Restaurante
Location: Postrera 51
reservations: reservas@puertasevilla.com
I also wish I would have known about this restaurant, Puerta Sevilla Taberna Restaurante. It was not on my list, but I wish it would have been. It is however a bit spendy. You can see that the atmosphere is very Cordoban and the menu looks really good. Definitely take a look, because it is so pretty! I will want to check it out the next time we are in Cordoba.
See the MENU
Where would you recommend?
Where should someone eat in Cordoba, when they have had their fill of patatas bravas and have picky eaters in their group? Please share your ideas and tips below!
