Casa el Pisto is another great example of the kind of drinking den Córdoba does so well: tiny, cluttered rooms with big old sherry barrels serving as tables, walls plastered with old bullfighting pictures, traditional tapas and a good wine list. This is more a place to stop for a quick snack and beer whilst exploring the delights of Córdoba’s old town, in the middle of which San Miguel is situated. Try the fried fish, the flamenquines and the sausages, all of which locals say are particularly good.

Just a few minutes' walk from the Plaza de las Tendillas and opposite the lovely San Miguel Church, this popular tapas spot—also known as the Casa el Pisto (Ratatouille House)—was established in 1880. You can choose to squeeze in at the bar and dine on tapas (from €3) or spread out a little more on the patio decked with ceramics and bullfighting memorabilia, where half and full portions are served. Legendary toreador Manolete is particularly revered here.

Recently, the Ermita de la Candelaria, for updated traditional in a lovely setting, a former hermitage, the Taberna El Pisto for the Córdoban classics, La Cuchara de San Lorenzo (a Bib Gourmand), Garum 2.0 for one of the city's best salmorejos (very casual, tapas style), Terra Flea (another Bib Gourmand), La Casa de Manolete Bistró, housed in a beautiful mansion, the former home of the late matador Manolete, a contemporary bistrot (Michelin rec) .

You can stand at the bar, get a table in the back room, or sit outside on the tiny Plaza San Miguel. Order a glass of sherry from the astonishing selection, ranging from the driest fino to the smoothest Amontillado, add a plate of giant gambas, and call it lunch (478-328; tapas, $3). Salón de Té is a café with a cool shady patio—perfect for a mint tea and break while walking around town (13 Calle Buen Pastor).

For dinner, head to one of the many tabernas (taverns) – both Taberna Salinas and Taberna San Miguel (the oldest tavern in town) are great options thanks to their excellent selection of regional dishes and rustic, traditional decor. After copious amounts of hearty food and indulgent wine, we won’t blame you if you’re ready to call it a night, but if you’ve still got some steam left in the tank, then we’d recommend just following your nose (or better yet, your ears) around Centro to find a bar with live music to enjoy a night-cap.

The most famous ones are: Santos (calle Magistral González Francés, opposite the Mezquita) is famous for his potato tortilla; Pepe de la Judería (calle Romero, 1) offers innovative tapas and careful decoration; Casa Salinas (calle Puerta de Almodóvar) offers classic menu and flamenco ambience; at La Sociedad de Plateros (calle María Auxiliadora, 25) founded in 1868 is prepared cod in 18 different ways; in San Miguel-El Pisto (plaza de San Miguel, 1) you will find a more Taurine environment and traditional tapas.

Founded in 1880 and located in the San Miguel square, the tavern has been linked to the bullfighting life, passing by its tables personalities such as Manolete. A curiosity is that in this house was created the Guerrita Club in 1896 being Julio Romero de Torres one of the customers who visited the establishment. It is an exceptional place in which to enjoy the typical gastronomy, including in the menu the salmorejo.

History and tradition ooze out of this little 19th-century tavern that represents all things Andalucian. It used to be a popular haunt with the bullfighting fraternity and stars of yesteryear frequented it to enjoy the delicious soups, stews and other hearty local dishes. It’s quite timeless in atmosphere and you feel like characters from an Andalucian Picaresque novel might appear in the doorway.

Para quienes busquen la imagen más típica de taberna cordobesa con una autenticidad nítida, su rumbo debe fijarse en ‘Casa El Pisto’. Allá donde mires encuentras cada uno de las señales que rememoran a la ciudad como los farolillos o los carteles de toros, algo entendible si se tiene en cuenta que lleva abierta desde 1880. No quedan tantos lugares con la personalidad de 'El Pisto'.

Aunque su nombre real es Taberna San Miguel, su icónica receta de pisto ha pasado de ser una receta señera a convertirse en nombre propio del espacio. Con un lustro a sus espaldas, este emblemático bar del Centro pertenece a la familia López-Acedo, quienes regentan el negocio desde el 74. Sin embargo, la casa fue fundada en realidad 1880 como un tabanco ligado a la vida taurina.

One review we read about Taberna San Miguel suggested that this characterful bar was a great place for a drink, less so for dinner, and we probably couldn’t agree more. We ordered a bottle of the Vino blanco de la casa which, in Córdoba, tends to be Montilla Fino (never call it sherry!). It came in an unmarked green bottle and this wine is normally around 15% Vol……hmm.

We loved this tavern: the treatment, the atmosphere and the food, a 10. Apart from having offered us very attentive service and an entire gluten-free menu, they have recommended places to visit and invited us to some mystery flavor shots of fancy. A place like this hasn't been open since 1900 for nothing...

This tavern with a lot of charm is a meeting place for many people from Cordoba. It was founded in 1880 and since then has been linked to bullfighting life. It preserves the flavours of yesteryear and is a good representative of Cordoba’s culinary tradition.

Taberna el Pisto: Smack dab in the city center, this bustling tapas bar is the perfect place to picotear on all things Spanish tapas. They're known for their pisto (ratatouille), but I can vouch for just about everything else on the menu.

Casa El Pisto is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike. Among the restaurant’s specialties, you cannot miss salmorejo, which is the restaurant’s top seller. Absolutely delicious.

CORDOBA: EL PISTO. Fantastic atmosphere, filled with locals; a series of beautiful historic rooms--tiles, wooden beams, etc. First-rate Cordoban dishes. Very moderate price.

In the evening we dined at Taberna San Miguel – Casa el Pisto, a typical Andaluce restaurant where we sat in a tiled internal patio covered in feria memorabilia.

You can’t spend a day in Cordoba without visiting Taberna San Miguel (El Pisto). El Pisto is in a bustling and lively square just behind the church.