ELENA COBOS IN DIARIO SUR. A CONVERSATION FOR MÁLAGA FUTURO.

In the heart of Málaga, there is a place that not only serves great food but also embodies the soul of the city: El Pimpi. Founded in 1971 by Pepe Cobos and Paco Campos, it was born from the dream of two men from Córdoba who aspired to be free. Decades later, this iconic restaurant has become a benchmark for Spanish and Andalusian gastronomy on an international level, with an annual turnover exceeding 17 million euros and a team of 240 employees.

During a new edition of the Málaga en Futuro series, organized by Diario SUR and sponsored by Cajamar, Elena Cobos, CEO of El Pimpi, shared her vision of the present and future on the stage of Sohrlin, a performing arts and entertainment space. In a close conversation with Diario SUR’s deputy editor, Javier Recio, Cobos reflected on the restaurant’s recent history, the impact of figures like Antonio Banderas, and the essential role of her father, Pepe Cobos, in the professionalization of the business.

“The arrival of Antonio Banderas as a partner pushed me to be more demanding with myself. If we failed, it wasn’t just El Pimpi falling—it was also his powerful personal brand we were carrying,” says Elena Cobos.
This pressure became a driver of excellence, positioning El Pimpi not only as a culinary landmark but also as a business model deeply committed to its community.

Its fame has reached far beyond Spain.

“My father once got into a taxi in Rome, said he was from Málaga, and the driver mentioned El Pimpi.”
There is even a restaurant in Russia with the same name, although it has no connection to the original.
“El Pimpi is world-renowned. It’s seen as a symbol of Spain and Andalusia,” Cobos adds proudly.

But El Pimpi goes beyond gastronomy. Through its foundation, it promotes social and cultural initiatives that reinforce its commitment to the city and its people. Some of its standout projects include:

• Festival Los Soles, an inclusive cultural event

• Cantera, a hospitality school for young talent

• Castañuelas Rosas, flamenco classes for women with cancer or chronic illnesses

• Genius, a program that shines a spotlight on local producers

Looking to the future of Málaga, Elena Cobos offers a reflection that could easily apply to El Pimpi’s philosophy:

“Málaga is ready for takeoff and has a great runway ahead, but we need to do it right and work hard.”
Order, organization, and commitment—three values that shape her vision of a city in full transformation.

For those who want to dive deeper into the history, vision, and social commitment behind El Pimpi, the full interview with Elena Cobos is available on our YouTube channel or on the Diario SUR website.