Pastelería López-Mezquita

Pastelería López-Mezquita is a pastry shop and café at Calle Reyes Católicos 39 in central Granada, Andalusia, Spain, known throughout the city for piononos. The pionono is a small cylinder of soaked sponge cake topped with toasted cream, a pastry that originated in the nearby town of Santa Fe and has become emblematic of Granada, and this shop is among the best-known places to try it. The cuisine is Granadino pastry. Churros con chocolate, served with a thick drinking chocolate, are the other signature item, making the café suitable for breakfast or an afternoon break as well as for taking pastries away. Prices are low, typically €2 to €8 per person, so a pastry and a coffee or a plate of churros costs little. The shop is on Reyes Católicos, the main street linking Plaza Nueva and Puerta Real, so it is easy to include in a walk through the centre. The atmosphere is that of a traditional pastry shop and café: busy at breakfast and in the late afternoon, with a counter for take-away orders and a small seating area, no dress code and moderate noise. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:30 and 16:30 to 20:30, Monday and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:30 and 16:30 to 20:30, and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00, though hours should be confirmed locally. Reservations are not taken and the practice is walk-in. The shop closes for the midday break, so visitors should plan visits around those hours. Piononos are sold individually or in boxes, which makes them a practical gift to carry home. The location is within walking distance of the Cathedral and the Alcaicería, which suits a sweet stop during sightseeing.