The Best Cafes in Córdoba, Spain

Situated in a typically-Cordoban courtyard replete with Mezquita-style archways, Salon de Té is one of the city’s most enchanting cafes. It offers a range of infused and herbal teas, Moorish pastries and sweets and good coffee. The Salon can get busy at the weekends with tourists – who are drawn in by its postcard-worthy courtyard – but it’s a great place to stop after dinner or early mornings. The service is highly spoken of and the cafe offers good value for money.

Consistently said to be one of the best breakfast spots in central Córdoba, La Tortuga is known for the quality of its homebread bread and its coffee. Let the delicious bread speak for itself by ordering a simple tostada with fresh tomatoe pureé and olive oil: what might sound like a rather plain breakfast is transformed by the freshness of the ingredients. The cafe also serves a good range of tarts as well as beers and wines, making it perfect for a stop off later in the day too. Within easy walking distance from all of Córdoba’s main attractions.

Situated in the heart of the old town, La Tarterie is said by both locals and visitors to Córdoba to sell the best homemade tarts, cakes and cookies in the city. The colourful, decadent sweets are attractively displayed along the counter in glass cabinets in a cosy, vintage-style interior. Though it specialises in desserts, Tarterie also does excellent savoury snacks and its tuna and vegetable empanada – the Spanish take on a Cornish pasty – is particularly tasty. Take-away is available if the small seating area is full.

Sought out for its “fabulous” icecreams, the popular Cafe Viena enjoys a prime location on one of old Córdoba’s principal thoroughfares. You can enjoy one of its famed helados in a small, lively inside seating area or on one of the several tables set out on the street in front – a great spot for watching Córdoba come to life as you enjoy breakfast. The coffee, hot chocolate and typical Cordoban pastries are also recommended, and beers and wines are served if you’re stopping off later in the day.

Coffee Away is situated about a 15 minute walk north of Córdoba’s historical centre, near the train and bus stations. Coffee-lovers will want to make the pilgrimage, though, as this place is said to do some of the best coffees in town. These can be enjoyed in a trendy, high-ceiligned interior along with one of the cafe’s excellent tarts or pastries. Coffee Away is also known for doing a mean smoothie or milkshake, the latter of which come in imaginative flavours such as “Kit-Kat” and “Mangum’s”. A good range of herbal teas is available as well.

Owing to the fact that this has one of the coolest patios in Córdoba (which is saying something, considering the city is famous for beautiful patios), Atrio Cafe is just as popular for evening cocktails as it is for morning coffees. Orange trees provide this lovely terrace by day and at night its smart tables and chairs are softly illuminated in blue, making it a great spot for a romantic copa. Service is friendly and the coffees and cocktails are reasonably priced.