# Eating in central Ronda, between El Mercadillo and the old town

> Where La Pilastra sits between El Mercadillo and La Ciudad, how to get around central Ronda on foot and what you can see nearby before or after your meal.

https://lapilastra.com/en/restaurant-ronda-old-town

La Pilastra sits at the hinge of central Ronda: at the end of Puente Nuevo where Calle Armiñán begins, just inside Ronda old town (La Ciudad). From here you can walk the historic quarter and the Plaza de España and bullring area without needing a car.

## Two quarters divided by the gorge

Central Ronda comes in two halves. North of the Tajo is El Mercadillo, the quarter that grew up outside the old walls: Plaza de España, the Real Maestranza bullring and the main shopping streets are there. South of the gorge is La Ciudad, the medieval core, with narrower streets, palaces and churches.

Puente Nuevo stitches the two sides together, and La Pilastra stands at its southern end, at number 1 Calle Armiñán, the main street of La Ciudad. Put simply: cross the bridge from El Mercadillo and you are here; carry on along Calle Armiñán and you are in the old town.

## A centre made for walking

The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot. If you arrive by car, the easiest plan is to park as you come into town and leave it there until you go; [getting here](https://lapilastra.com/en/how-to-get-here) covers the options by car, train and bus.

From the restaurant door, the [bullring](https://lapilastra.com/en/restaurants-near-ronda-bullring) and Plaza de España are just across the bridge, while the other way lie the streets of La Ciudad: Palacio de Mondragón, the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor and, further down towards the river, the Arab Baths. To fit it all into one day, see [Ronda in one day](https://lapilastra.com/en/things-to-do-in-ronda).

## Where lunch fits in

Because the restaurant stands right where the two quarters meet, it makes a natural halfway point: see El Mercadillo in the morning, cross the bridge and sit down before exploring La Ciudad, or the other way round. If eating with a view of the gorge matters to you, read how [the terrace](https://lapilastra.com/en/restaurant-with-a-view-ronda) works before you book.

## Dishes we recommend from the menu

- **Ronda-style oxtail stew** — 26.50 EUR. Slow-braised and served with fries.
- **Tomato selection with tuna belly** — 17.90 EUR. Tomatoes, tuna belly, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic dressing.
- **Serranía cheese board** — 24.00 EUR. A selection of cheeses from the Serranía region.
- **Broken fried eggs** — 19.50 EUR. Over fries, with Iberian ham and black truffle oil.

## Book in central Ronda

Tell us the day, the time and how many of you there are, and we will confirm your table by phone or WhatsApp.

Call to reserve: [+34 744 71 72 13](tel:+34744717213) · WhatsApp: https://wa.me/34744717213

## Frequently asked questions

### Is La Pilastra in El Mercadillo or in La Ciudad?

In La Ciudad, the historic quarter, right at the end of Puente Nuevo. El Mercadillo is just across the bridge, a few steps away.

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La Pilastra · Calle Armiñán, 1, 29400 Ronda · 12:00 — 23:00 · +34 744 71 72 13

Updated 2026-10-22