Spain is a regional cuisine, so dishes, and even tapas, vary from region to region and city to city. And, in a food-focused city like Seville, it can be overwhelming. There are so many tapas bars in Seville! In our Seville food guide, we share our recommendations for where to find the best tapas in Seville.
For three years, we called Spain home, so we know a thing or two about tapas. But, we actually lived in Girona, Catalonia, in Northeastern Spain. Sure, we have tapas, but tapas are not from there. Tapas originated in Southern Spain.
This is why Seville should be on the top of any must-visit food destination list. It’s one of our favorite food cities in Spain. In our Seville tapas guide, we share our top tips on how to eat the best food in Seville, with a focus on tapas.
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How To Find The Best Tapas In Seville Spain 2023
In this Seville Food Guide, we want to share the best of Seville when it comes to food. The focus here is to share a list of must-eat Seville tapas while also sharing tips on how to find the best food in Seville.
Although we don’t offer an exhaustive list of restaurant reviews, we will share some recommendations on the best places to eat in Seville for travelers searching for amazing tapas experiences.
An early note, what is the difference between Sevilla and Seville? Seville is the English version of Sevilla, which is Spanish. Within Spain, you will see mostly references to Sevilla.
I use both words interchangeably here. I tend to use the word Sevilla because we live in Spain, but most travelers tend to use Seville, particularly travelers from the UK or US.
Learn more about traveling in Spain:
Spain Packing List – Travelers Guide To What To Wear In Spain
Spain Food Guide – What To Eat In Spain
Seville Travel Blog – How To Visit Seville Spain
How To Book Hotels In Spain
Since leaving the US over a decade ago, we’ve traveled to Spain numerous times. We’ve even lived in Spain for over three years. During these trips to Spain, we learned a few things about booking hotels in Spain. We’ve stayed at stunning luxury hotels like the Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville and the W Barcelona. And sadly we have stayed in our fair share of not-so-great hotels in Spain.
When planning our trips to Spain, we use Booking.com for hotels in Spain. In addition to booking hotels, we’ve used them to book apartments in Spain for longer stays. When we’ve wanted something special, we’ve used Booking to find stunning villas in Spain. We’ve even found some charming and less expensive guest houses in Spain on Booking.com.
Why Is Seville Spain Famous For Food?
When it comes to answering what is Seville famous for, many people answer with Flamenco dancing! And, that is true. But, for food travelers, it is known for tapas.
This most typical food in Seville is tasty, authentic, and cheap. There is a long history of tapas and traditional Spanish cuisine. I wanted to learn all about it, and of course, eat all the food.
And, I wanted to learn about regional tapas. Not just Spanish croquetas, but dishes that are typical of Sevilla and Andalusia.
Spain’s Regional Cuisine
Most travelers to Spain know what tapas are. There are a handful of dishes and drinks that people associate with Spain. Tapas are just one of these dishes. Travelers also think Spanish cuisine is patatas brava, which are really from Catalonia. They are not really a thing in Seville, which is located in the region of Andalusia.
The thing is that Spanish cuisine differs based on region. Catalan food is different from Basque food. The food in Andalusia is also different. Not only is it the home of tapas, but the ingredients and the seasonings used differ.
There is more of an influence from Africa and spices that were introduced from the East through the spice trade. Other great food cities in Andalucia include Cordoba and Granada.
This post will not tell you where to find the best patata bravas in Seville, nor will it share where to eat the best paella in Seville (that’s a dish from Valencia). We will share what we know about Andalusian cuisine and that means tapas! One of the most famous Spanish foods.
Taking A Food Tour In Seville
People often ask us how we find great food in a city we’ve never visited. In addition to doing our own research and asking friends, we always take a food tour. Not only will you learn what to eat and where, but food tours are also a great way to learn your way around a city.
There are lots of great food tours in Seville and choosing the right one is tricky. We are big fans of Devour Tours. Devour Tours does a great job of explaining the food and drink in a city.
They have the local knowledge to discover off-the-beaten-path bars and restaurants only locals go to. Over the past decade, we’ve easily been on a dozen Devour food tours across Spain.
In Sevilla, Devour Tours offers a mix of food tours and sightseeing tours. Tour prices range from $70 to $130 per person. Most of Devour’s tours max out at 12 guests making it a more enjoyable experience. Here are the food tours Devour currently offers in Sevilla.
Seville Tapas, Taverns & History Tour
Tastes, Tapas & Traditions of Seville Food Tour
Best Restaurants In Seville For Tapas
Seville is one of those food destinations that require more than one visit to get a lay of the land. Thankfully we’ve had the opportunity to visit nearly a half dozen times. During those trips, we’ve made to take meticulous notes on which tapas bars serve the best tapas.
With so many to choose from, we’ve narrowed down the list to these 12 tapas bars, including information on which tapas they do best.
| 🇪🇸 Sevilla Restaurants & Bars | 📍 Address | 🍽 What To Order |
|---|---|---|
| El Rinconcillo | Calle Gerona, 40, 41003 | Espinacas Con Garbanzos – Spinach With Garbanzo Beans |
| Bodega Santa Cruz | Calle Rodrigo Caro, 1, 41004 | Berenejas Con Miel – Eggplant With Honey |
| Bodeguita Romero | Calle Harinas, 10, 41001 | Papas Alinas - Spanish-style potato salad |
| Casa Moreno | Calle Gamazo, 7, 41001 | Montadito de Lomo con Cabrales - Pork Loin and cheese sandwich |
| Bodeguita Antonio Romero Origen | Calle Antonia Díaz, 19, 41001 | Montadito de Piripi - Pork loin sandwich with bacon and cheese |
| Casa Morales | Calle García de Vinuesa, 11, 41001 | Montaditos - Pork sandwiches |
| Bar Mary Reyes | Calle Almte. Lobo, 13, 41001 | Montadito de Pringa -Slow cooked pork sandwich |
| Bar Santa Ana | Calle Pureza, 82, 41010 | Chicharrones -Fried, crispy pork |
| Bar Alfalfa | Calle Candilejo 1 41004 | Salmorejo - Tomato and bread soup |
| Cerveceria Giralda | Calle Mateos Gago 1 Barrio de Santa Cruz | Cazon de Adobo – Fish in Adobo Seasoning |
| La Grande | Lopez de Gomara Barrio de Triana 41010 | Mojama – Cured Tuna |
Seville Tapas Guide – What To Eat In Seville Spain
There is so much to eat when it comes to Seville’s traditional food, but for us, it was all about the tapas. It’s true that many Spaniards sit down to eat a long lunch or dinner with family or friends, particularly on the weekend.
They may stop for a tapa or two beforehand. But, for food travelers who are limited on time, the tapas crawl is the way to go. It’s the best way to try the best Seville cuisine during a visit to the city.
Here’s our list of must-eat dishes in Seville, including sandwiches, snacks, and contemporary tapas. Some of these tapas are typical Spanish dishes and others are unique to Andalusian cuisine. We also include some recommendations on the best places to eat in Seville for a particular tapa.
Snacks and Sandwiches
Let’s start at the beginning. In much of Spain, the late morning snack involves a small sandwich or bocadillo. In Sevilla, this small sandwich is often called a montadito.
For this late-morning snack, I am recommending a few different montaditos as well as some other small tapas that could be eaten with a beer or a glass of vermouth before lunch. Most of these sandwiches and tapas range between €2.50-€4 per tapa or sandwich.
Seville Food Guide Pro Tip:
Most people in Seville, and throughout Spain, eat more than three times a day. They eat a small early breakfast, a snack before lunch, lunch, a late afternoon snack, and then dinner. Eat like the locals do – eat all day!
Montadito de Pringa
This was one of our absolute favorite things to eat in Seville. Most Seville bars and cafes will offer several different kinds of sandwiches, and more often than not a pringa. A pringa is a small sandwich filled with pork, sometimes morcilla (black sausage), or often a stew of yesterday’s leftover meats.
Where to find these montaditos in Seville? Everyone says you must have the pringa at Bodeguita Romero on Calle Harinas, close to Plaza Nueva. Their version is good, with pulled pork and morcilla.
Our choice for the best is Cerveceria Mary Reyes on Calle del Almirante Lobo, near Puerto de Jerez. For us, it was one of the best tapas in Seville Spain! Hands down!
Montadito de Lomo con Cabrales
If you like goat cheese, try the Lomo con Cabrales. Lomo is sliced pork loin. It is topped with Cabrales, an intense blue cheese from Northern Spain. The sandwich is served warm with oozing cheese.
Where to find these montaditos in Seville? Why shouldn’t one of the best bars in Seville be hidden in the back of a small grocery store?
Look for these sandwiches at Casa Moreno on Calle Gamazo, close to Calle Harinas. It’s a small food shop, with a long bar in the back, kind of hidden. It can get pretty busy, particularly on weekends. Be patient and elbow in.
Montadito de Piripi
This is a more classic sandwich in the American sense. The piripi is a small sandwich with pork loin, bacon, cheese, tomato, and mayonnaise. It’s not as common at Seville tapas bars as the pringa is.
The best places to eat in Seville for piripi are Antonio Romero. I say “places” because they have a few different locations, and also shouldn’t be confused with Bodeguito Romero (above).
Where to find these montaditos in Seville? Bodeguita Antonio Romero on Calle de Antonia Diaz.
Chorizo or Chorizo Picante
Chorizo is common throughout Spain and is popular at most Sevilla restaurant stops. It is a popular pork sausage flavored with garlic, pepper, and smoked paprika.
In Seville, it is common to find chorizo or chorizo picante (spicy) montadito. It’s likely you can find this at almost every Spanish tapas bar in Seville. It’s a little oily, but so tasty on a fresh roll.
Where to find these montaditos in Seville? You can probably find this at the best Spanish tapas bars in Seville. We ate this one at Cerveceria Mary Reyes on Calle del Almirante, alongside our tasty pringa.
Chicharrones
We both simply love chicharrones, fried pork heaven. It’s common to find at more traditional places to eat in Seville.
Whereas in Mexico, chicharrones are pork rinds, in Spain they tend to be fried pork belly. Often somewhat crispy, they are loaded with pork goodness. It’s also on the top list of the best food in Seville to eat alongside a cold beer or glass of vermouth.
Where to find these tapas in Seville? You can find these at most traditional Sevilla tapas bars. Some of the tastiest, though, was at the simple Cafeteria Santa Ana in Triana.
This is a no-frills kind of bar in Sevilla. It’s supported by the local brotherhood that supports the nearby Santa Ana church. Very interesting place.
Papas Alinas
This is another way to start an afternoon eating out in Seville. Papas Alinas is like a Spanish potato salad. Generally, this is a potato salad recipe originating in Cadiz, along the coast in Andalusia.
This version included potatoes, onions, and peppers in a crisp and tangy vinegar sauce. Pair with a cold beer or crisp white wine called Verdejo.
Where to find these tapas in Seville? This is a house specialty at Bodeguita Ramero on Calle Harinas.
Patatas Aioli
This is one of the best tapas in Spain, in particular, because it’s so simple, so easy to find, and so tasty. Chunks of potatoes coated in aioli, garlic, and olive oil sauce.
Many travelers assume the white sauce coating the potatoes is mayonnaise, like an American potato salad. But, the best aioli is handmade, by simply mixing garlic and olive oil until it emulsifiers.
Where to find these tapas in Seville? Pretty much everywhere. Look for them in the cold food cases on the bar. Patatas aioli is one of the top classic tapas dishes.
If you love potatoes, take a look at our recipe for Patatas A Lo Pobre – Spanish Poor Man’s Potatoes. You won’t be disappointed.
Bruschetta con Salmorejo
Although you can find salmorejo across Andalusia, there is one version we only saw in Seville. This Seville food takes a thick salmorejo and spreads it liberally across toasted bread.
Again it’s topped with Jamon, but when out of the bowl they call it bruschetta con salmorejo. Travelers probably don’t associate bruschetta with Spain food names, but here you have it.
Where to try these Seville foods? Bar Alfalfa Seville Spain offers more modern tapas than traditional Spanish tapas. Bar Alfalfa is centrally located and definitely has a slightly more hipster vibe.
They are well known for their salmorejo bruschetta as well as other contemporary bruschetta varieties made with traditional Spanish food ingredients.
Seville Cuisine And Andalusian Specialities
There are a handful of must-eat tapas in Seville that are more unique to Seville, or the region of Andalusia. These are the most important foods to eat in Seville because they are not generally found elsewhere in Spain. Most of these tapas in Seville range between €3-7 for a plate of tapas.
Salmorejo
Most people know Spain for gazpacho, a cold tomato soup and one of the most popular Spanish foods. In Andalusia, salmorejo is the must-eat cold soup.
Salmorejo is also a cold tomato soup, but it’s entirely different. It is smooth, thick, and creamy, and normally topped with bits of jamon and hard-boiled egg. The main difference is that salmorejo is made with bread and sherry.
Where to try this Seville Spain food? Everywhere. Seriously, it is everywhere at all of the best restaurants in Seville, and at the most typical tapas bars too.
Cazon de Adobo – Fish in Adobo Seasoning
Most people look for fried calamari (calamares fritos) when traveling in Spain. However, this has to be one of the best tapas Seville offers and such a surprise.
It’s nothing we ever heard of before traveling to Seville. Cazon de Adobo is a marinated fish, normally bone-free fish like monkfish or dogfish. It’s then breaded and deep-fried. The marinade has a tangy, vinegar taste to it, which means the fish is super moist.
Where to try these Seville foods? Try Cerveceria Giralda, one of the closest restaurants to the Cathedral Sevilla, and surprisingly decent considering how close it is to one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The portions are also very big there.
Mojama – Cured Tuna
One of the more unique Seville foods is mojama, a salt-cured tuna that is typical in Andalusia. Traditionally, fishermen would cure fish to help them last longer. Here, the tuna is cured, or dried, with salt. When ready to eat it is sliced and drizzled with a little local olive oil.
Where to try this Seville Spain food? We ate mojama at Cervecaria La Grande in Triana, which is a great stop for seafood during an evening exploring the Seville nightlife in Triana.
Espinacas Con Garbanzos – Spinach With Garbanzo Beans
This is one of the best typical Seville tapas we found, and we tried to eat it as much as possible. Spinach with garbanzo beans or chickpeas is known as espinacas con garbanzos.
This is a dish that definitely shows the Moorish influence in Andalusia, with a flavor of cumin not common in other traditional Spanish tapas.
Where to try this food in Seville Spain? The best version of this we had was at El Rinconcillo, the oldest tapas bar in Seville and often considered the oldest restaurant in Seville Spain.
If you love cooking beans including garbanzo beans, check out this white bean stew recipe popular in southern Spain. It’s easy to make, delicious, and one of our favorites. Or if you really want a challenge, try making this Spanish ropa vieja recipe made using chickpeas.
Berenejas Con Miel – Eggplant With Honey
This should be on the top of any list of Spanish tapas to eat in Seville, or really anywhere in Andalusia. Berenjenas con miel are slices of fried eggplant drizzled in honey. The sweetness of the honey offset the saltiness of the fried eggplant.
Where to try this food in Seville Spain? It’s pretty easy to find these Sevilla tapas in most of the Spanish tapas bars. Our favorite was at Bodega Santa Cruz Seville Spain, also known as Las Columnas for the columns outside.
Also, check out our own recipe for berenjenas con miel!
Carrillera de Cerdo – Pork Cheek
Looking for the best tapas in Seville, focus on searching for the best carrillera, carrillada de cerdo, or pork cheeks in English.
Traditionally, Americans might be put off by the idea of eating pork cheeks, but they are the most tender part of the animal. The same goes for beef and even cod! It’s best when slow-roasted or stewed. Many of the most popular Sevilla tapas dishes are stewed, and this one was one of our favorites.
Where to try this Seville Spain food? This single dish was one of the best 3 tapas we ate in Seville and our favorite was at Bodeguita Ramero on Calle Harinas.
Check out our recipe for carrillada de cerdo, Spanish pork cheeks.
Solomillo al Whiskey
Pork and whiskey in one dish? Yes, please! This was one discovery we are very happy to have made in Seville. Solomillo al whiskey is a popular dish in the Triana neighborhood of Seville.
It’s also a simple dish. Pork loin is fried with garlic in olive oil, then a sauce of whiskey and flour is whisked together. Add the pork back, serve over fries, and dig in.
Lomo con Pedro Ximenez
Lomo is a sliced pork loin. One of the most popular tapas in Seville is a slice of lomo topped with a sauce made with Pedro Ximenez, a sweet wine from the nearby Sherry Triangle near Cadiz. It is similar to the lomo in a whiskey sauce. Each has a little sweetness and a little tang.
Where to try this food in Seville Spain? Again at Bodega Santa Cruz. We ate there a lot.
Check out some of our recipes for solomillo, including:
Solomillo A La Pimienta – Spanish Pork Steak With Creamy Pepper Sauce
Solomillo Al Pedro Ximenez Recipe- Pork With Pedro Ximenez Sauce
Cola de Toro – Oxtail
Similar to the pork cheek above, this is another Seville tapa that comes in a stew form. I just love a slow-cooked oxtail. Some of the best just melt in the mouth. Definitely a must-eat tapas in Seville.
Where to find these local tapas in Seville? Once again, we found Rabo de toro, which translates to the tail of the bull, at one of the restaurants near Seville Cathedral. This giant portion also came from Cerveceria Giralda and only cost €4.
See our recipe for rabo de toro, Spanish oxtail cooked in red wine.
Other Spanish Tapas in Sevilla
If you only have a few days in Seville, it’s best to concentrate on the Seville tapas that are unique to the area, the list of tapas above.
But, this guide to Seville also includes some of the more typical Spanish tapas as well. If you have the time, definitely try some of the more typical Spanish foods on this list of tapas dishes.
Boquerones Fritos
To me, boquerones are one of the best tapas in Spain. They are little fried fish and are tasty! The locals often will eat the whole fish.
I tend to take off the head and eat the rest. If you are a little squirmy about eating whole fish, particularly with the large ones, you can easily open them up and remove the spine of the fish.
Jamon
All the local tapas restaurants everywhere in Spain will serve Jamon, either as a tapa, as a racion, on a sandwich, or somehow cooked into a dish. Jamon, or Spanish cured ham, practically runs through the veins of every Spanish person I know.
Look for Jamon Iberico Bellota to try the very best. It’s not difficult to track down Jamon on any trip to Spain. It seems the best food in Seville Spain will almost always include a little bit of Jamon.
Queso
We ate a good amount of queso, or cheese, in Sevilla. I often tried to ask what type it was and I was normally told “aged cheese from Seville.” I wish I had more to go on. Just try to start one evening with a small tapa of Jamon and local, Andalusia cheese.
Olives
When it comes to what to eat in Spain, if you are an olive lover, this is it! At some traditional tapas bars, you don’t even need to order olives. Sometimes they just arrive like quick tapas magic.
And, they are a must-eat in Seville because Andalusia is one of the top producers of olives in the world. They are also typically easy to find at a Spanish food market and is one of the staples of the Spanish diet.
Gambas
Seafood is big in Andalucia. Many of the traditional tapas bars in Sevilla focus on fish and seafood. Be sure to try some fresh, grilled, local prawns, or gambas in Spanish.
Grilled or Fried Artichokes
Simply fried artichokes can be found in many Spanish tapas bars in Seville when they are in season. The artichoke season is the fall. If you can find them, try them. Even if you don’t generally like artichokes when they are breaded and deep-fried they are amazing!
Where to find these tapas in Seville? Bar Eslava Restaurant Seville, offers more modern tapas ideas and dishes. Their grilled artichokes were topped with crispy slices of garlic and a little bit of salted cod, or bacalao.
How to Eat Tapas in Seville Spain
The best way to eat in Seville is to do your own little tapas crawl. A Seville tapas crawl is when you spend an afternoon or an evening hopping from one tapas bar in Seville to the next. Often during one crawl, you can hit three or four places at a time.
This is a great way of eating for people who travel for food because you can try so many more dishes than when eating a typical two or three-course meal.
The most fun way to eat tapas in Sevilla is to walk into a bar, stand at the bar, order a drink and one or two tapas, and then move to the next place.
The best places to eat in Seville can get busy, particularly at the weekend. Don’t be intimidated and move on to a Seville tapas bar that is less crowded.
Follow the crowds to find the best food. Take a deep breath, be patient, and elbow your way up to the bar (politely) when you can.
How To Order Tapas In Seville Spain
In my mind, there is no wrong way to order tapas. But, I can see how it can be intimidating for someone who is new to this eating style. At many tapas restaurants in the US or the UK, guests sit at a table, the server hands a menu, your order tapas, and eat. It’s not that straightforward in Seville.
Eating And Standing At The Tapas Bar
First tip, be prepared to stand, particularly at peak times. It might be intimidating but just politely elbow your way in to order.
When walking into a tapas bar, you will see some dishes on the bar counter. These are cold tapas, normally salads. The bartender will prepare a plate for you when you order.
Ordering From A Tapas Menu
There is also usually a tapas menu, of both hot and cold tapas as well as sandwiches. Sometimes the menu will be printed and will be lying on the bar. Other times, it will be on a chalkboard hanging on the wall.
Most menus will be in Spanish. Many of the bars often have staff that speaks English and we saw several bartenders being very patient with travelers ordering in English.
We even saw the servers helping people with dietary restrictions. This is important for vegetarians because the Spanish like to sneak pork into almost everything.
What If There Is No English Menu
If you don’t speak Spanish sometimes pointing to the dish on a menu is enough. Should this not be an option, hang back for a few minutes and watch what others are eating.
If something looks good, politely point to it and say “por favor.” We used this method over the years, from Brazil to the Czech Republic to China, it almost always works.
When To Pay For Your Tapas
If you are standing at the bar, then there is no need to pay as you go. At some of the most traditional Seville tapas bars, they will write your tab in chalk on the bar top. If you take your drink and tapas away from the bar, particularly if eating outside, it is expected that you pay when you receive your food.
How To Find Tapas Bars In Seville Spain?
For travelers visiting Seville, there are few neighborhoods and streets we recommend for eating. Of course there are neighborhoods a little farther afield, but for travelers who only have 2 or 3 days in Seville, it helps to focus your eating on one of the best neighborhoods in Seville for food.
Best Neighborhoods In Seville For Tapas
When searching for the best tapas bars in Seville, we would recommend focusing on three neighborhoods. Seville Old Town is home to the Seville Cathedral, museums, and flamenco dancing.
From the Cathedral there are two main eating areas nearby. Walk up Calle Mateo Gagos from the Cathedral heading in the direction of Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter. Despite being so close to the main tourist attractions, we ate well along this street. And, many of the tapas bars were filled with locals, particularly on the weekend.
North of the Cathedral is Plaza Nueva, and to the west of the square is Arenal. There are a lot of great tapas bars along and around Calle Harinas. This would be the second area I would recommend for finding great tapas bars in Seville.
Our third recommendation is Triana, the lesser-known Seville neighborhood on the other side of the Guadalquiver River. Cross the river on the Isabel II bridge. You will arrive on the main street of Triana, Calle San Jacinot.
Although we hit one local restaurant on this street, I felt it was the most touristy of the Triana Seville restaurants. To find better, more authentic restaurants, wander the neighborhood to the left of Calle San Jacinot.
FAQs – Seville Food And Tapas Guide
It’s difficult to find free tapas in Seville, other than maybe a small plate of potato chips or olives. Really the only larger city that still offers a free tapa with a purchase of a drink is Granada Spain. In Seville, tapas are ordered separately from a drink.
Even though there are no free tapas, the prices are pretty reasonable. This makes Seville a great budget destination within Spain. Most tapas range around €3-6 for a plate. Seafood will be more as well as higher quality jamon.
We recommend some of the best places to eat in Seville above with recommendations on particular places to eat particular tapas. But, if there are 5 tapas bars in Seville we love, I would recommend La Brunilda Seville, Bar Eslava Sevilla, Bodega Santa Cruz Seville, Bodeguita Romero, and El Rinconcillo. This is a good mix of traditional and contemporary and includes the oldest tapas bar in Seville.
Pin It For Later! How To Find The Best Tapas In Seville
Seville Food Guide And Blog
If you are planning a trip to Sevilla, be sure to save this post to your favorite Pinterest board. We will continue to update the post with more tips on where and what to eat in Seville to help you make the most of your trip. Happy eating!
See related posts here:
Seville Travel Blog – How To Visit Seville Spain
Spain Packing List – Travelers Guide To What To Wear In Spain