Gastronomy · Málaga City

Bodega El Pimpi

Bodega-bar in an 18th-century Málaga mansion beside the Roman Theatre, opened in 1971 and known for its barrels signed by visitors, sweet Málaga wines and fried boquerones.

About Bodega El Pimpi

Two men from Córdoba, Paco Campos and Pepe Cobos, opened the bodega in 1971 in an 18th-century house built over an old Roman road between Calle Granada and Calle Alcazabilla. It is named after the pimpi, the Málaga character who guided ships' crews and passengers from the port. Over five decades it has become a meeting place for locals, visitors and celebrities, many of whom have signed the barrels that line its rooms.

The bodega pours Málaga wines, from sweet moscatel and Málaga Virgen to Sierras de Málaga reds. The food is Málaga cooking: boquerones fritos (fried anchovies, €13 a ración), adobo malagueño (marinated fried dogfish, €13), salmorejo (€8.50), ensaladilla rusa with prawns, flamenquín (rolled fried pork with cheese) and Iberian chacinas. Tapas are served at the bars; the rooms and terrace have table service.

It opens Sunday to Thursday 12:00–00:00 and Friday and Saturday 12:00–00:30, with the kitchen non-stop. Raciones cost about €8–18 and a meal with wine about €30–40 per person (2026). Book tables by phone or email; the bars are walk-in. The menu is in English.

Late afternoon, around 17:00–19:00, is the quietest time and has the best light on the terrace facing the Roman Theatre; evenings and Holy Week are very busy. Tip: start with a glass of sweet Málaga wine, then walk through the rooms to find the signed casks.

Bodega El Pimpi in pictures

Wine casks chalked with messages from visitors at Bodega El Pimpi, Málaga

Counter with fruit, hanging hams and plants in a patio room at Bodega El Pimpi, Málaga

What you’ll find

English menuMenu in EnglishFree
Fried fishPescaíto frito (€13–€15)Buy
Ham and charcuterieHam and cured meats (€10–€22)Buy
Historic interiorHistoric premisesFree
Late openingOpen lateFree
RacionesSharing plates (€8–€18, 12:00–23:59)Buy
ReservationsTable bookingBook
Sherry and wineWines by the glass (€3–€6)Buy
Signature dishHouse speciality (€13)Buy
TapasTapas at the bar (€4–€8, 12:00–23:59)Buy
TerraceOutdoor seatingFree

Nearby places to visit

El Pimpi's terrace faces the Roman Theatre of Málaga (110 m), rediscovered in 1951, with the walls of the Alcazaba of Málaga (160 m) rising above it. The Málaga Museum (190 m) in the Palacio de la Aduana is across the street, and the Flamenco Museum (180 m) is in the lanes behind. Málaga Cathedral (230 m), known locally as La Manquita for its unfinished tower, is a short walk west. For wine straight from the cask in an 1840 tavern, continue to Antigua Casa de Guardia (650 m) on the Alameda Principal.