Taberna Bodegas Mezquita, Córdoba

Just yards from the imposing Mezquita, this tapas restaurant is a landmark on Córdoba’s ever-expanding gastro circuit in the twisting lanes of the old town Owned by the enterprising cordobés, Baldomero Gas, the tavern was preceded in 2004 by a sister branch just north of the mosque, both now joined by a gourmet delicatessen of Andalusian products.

The focus of the tavern lies firmly in Cordoba’s culinary traditions, resulting in a menu like a hit list of the classics—whether Sephardic or Moorish “Since we are right next to the mosque, we didn’t really have an option—we had to be protagonists!” exclaims Gas, who always seems to have a new culinary project in the works As a result, it is one of the few places that serves couscous, and people come in droves to devour their honeyed Caliphate eggplants and creamy salmorejos. Reflecting such offerings, the décor is typically andaluz, though eschewing the clichés, and full of wrought iron, exposed brick, and tiled floors as well as fascinating vintage photos.