Córdoba's vegetarian address
La Bicicleta has become the meeting point for vegetarians and vegans passing through Córdoba. In a city where ham and meat are everywhere, this bar near the Miraflores Bridge makes a confident case for eating brilliantly without animal protein. Carnivores come here too, pulled in by the freshness of the produce. The interior is warm and deliberately casual — mismatched chairs, wooden shelves, plants — with the energy of a neighbourhood bar rather than a concept restaurant.
The tostas
Thick slices of grilled bread with inventive combinations: avocado and sun-dried tomatoes, goat's cheese with honey and walnuts, marinated tuna with herbs. The warm courgettes with pine nuts and goat's cheese (calabacines tibios al queso de cabra) are a fixture on the menu for good reason — the courgette retains some bite, the goat's cheese melts slightly from the residual heat, and the pine nuts add crunch without taking over. The salmorejo vegano (egg-free) honours the spirit of the classic while making it work for plant-based diners: same depth of tomato and olive oil, thickened with extra bread. The house-made hummus arrives with olive oil and paprika in a decent-sized portion, best shared with a couple of tostas.
The drinks
The drinks list is worth as much attention as the food. Fresh juices pressed to order: orange, carrot-ginger, apple-celery. Thick smoothies. In the evening, artisan cocktails take over — made by someone who knows what they are doing. The gin and tonic list is longer than you expect.
Why the hours matter
Unlike most Spanish restaurants, La Bicicleta stays open through the afternoon from 14:00 — which solves the mid-afternoon hunger problem in a city where most kitchens are closed by 4pm. The buzz peaks on Friday evenings around 10pm. Save room for the homemade cakes, particularly the orange cake: dense, moist, with a clean citrus finish. A practical option on the food tour Córdoba circuit for vegetarian guests. Expect €20–30 for a full meal. The kitchen is fully cashless; card only. No reservations accepted — it is a drop-in format. The bar section near the entrance is good for a quick juice and tosta without occupying a full table. Instagram updates carry the day's specials and seasonal cake changes, which rotate more often than the printed menu.
