where-to-eat
Where to Eat in Seville: Best Restaurants & Tapas Bars (2026)
The city that invented tapas. Here's where to eat them properly.
Eating in Seville at a Glance
Seville is where tapas culture began.
The story goes that King Alfonso X, recovering from illness, was prescribed small portions of food with wine. He liked the habit so much he decreed that taverns should serve food with drinks. Whether true or legend, Seville takes tapas more seriously than anywhere else in Spain.
The city offers everything from standing-room-only bars unchanged in a century to sleek contemporary restaurants pushing Andalusian cuisine forward.
The challenge is not finding good food but choosing from the abundance. Every neighbourhood has its institutions, every street its secrets.
Sevillanos eat late, even by Spanish standards.
Lunch starts at 2pm and can last until 5pm. Dinner rarely begins before 9:30pm, often later in summer when the heat of the day finally breaks. The tapas crawl, moving from bar to bar, eating a dish or two at each, remains the defining way to eat in this city.
What makes Seville's food special?
Local tip
Seville's tapas are not free like in Granada. Each tapa costs €2.50-5, with larger raciones at €10-18. This means higher quality and more variety. Order one or two dishes per bar, then move on. The crawl is the point.
The cuisine here reflects Seville's position as the gateway to the Americas and the heart of Andalusia.
River fish from the Guadalquivir, pork from the Sierra de Aracena, produce from the fertile countryside. The cooking is bold, confident, and unapologetically traditional, though a new generation of chefs is adding modern touches.
Local ingredients that define the cuisine:
- Iberian pork from the Sierra de Aracena (some of Spain's finest)
- Fresh fish from Cadiz and Huelva coasts
- Olive oil from the surrounding countryside
- Oranges from the trees that line the streets
- Sherry from nearby Jerez
Best restaurants in Seville
Fine dining and special occasions
Abantal
€€€€Creative AndalusianNear Santa Cruz · One Michelin star, elegant and refined
Must try: Tasting menu, innovative Andalusian cuisine
Seville's Michelin-starred flagship, where chef Julio Fernandez transforms Andalusian ingredients with modern technique.
The tasting menu is a journey through the region's possibilities, from river prawns to Iberian pork to garden vegetables. The setting is elegant without being stuffy. Service is polished. A destination for serious food lovers.
Canas y Tapas
€€€Modern AndalusianCentro · Contemporary space, relaxed fine dining
Must try: Creative tapas, seasonal menu, wine pairings
Creative Andalusian cooking in a contemporary setting that feels more relaxed than typical fine dining.
The kitchen takes traditional dishes and refines them without losing their soul. Wine pairings are thoughtfully chosen. The atmosphere encourages lingering. A good choice for a special meal without excessive formality.
Az-Zait
€€€Andalusian-MediterraneanArenal · Sophisticated dining, local following
Must try: Seasonal menu, excellent seafood, rice dishes
A sophisticated restaurant that locals trust for celebrations and business dinners.
The kitchen handles seafood with particular skill, and the rice dishes rival those of Valencia. The setting is elegant, service professional. Less tourist-focused than some upscale options, which keeps quality consistent.
Traditional restaurants
Casa Robles
€€Traditional AndalusianNear Cathedral · Classic Seville restaurant, white tablecloths
Must try: Carrillada, rabo de toro, seasonal fish
A Seville institution since 1954, Casa Robles serves traditional Andalusian cooking with the consistency that decades of practice bring.
The carrillada is slow-cooked to perfection. Rabo de toro falls from the bone. Fish arrives fresh from Cadiz. The setting is classic, with white tablecloths and formal service. This is how Seville has eaten for generations.
El Rinconcillo
€€Traditional tapasSanta Catalina · Seville's oldest bar (since 1670), standing room
Must try: Espinacas con garbanzos, pavias de bacalao, jamón
The oldest bar in Seville, serving since 1670 from the same premises.
The interior preserves original tiles and woodwork. Staff chalk your bill on the wooden bar as you order. The espinacas con garbanzos is legendary, as are the cod fritters. Standing room fills quickly. A place of genuine history that happens to serve excellent food.
Eslava
€€Creative tapasSan Lorenzo · Modern classic, always packed
Must try: Slow-cooked egg with truffle, foie with reduction, carrillada
A modern classic that bridges traditional tapas and contemporary cooking.
The slow-cooked egg with mushrooms and truffle is famous citywide. Foie with Pedro Ximenez reduction melts on the tongue. Carrillada is perfectly braised. The space is stylish but unpretentious. Always packed because the food delivers. Book or arrive early.
La Azotea
€€Modern Andalusian tapasMultiple locations · Contemporary tapas, quality ingredients
Must try: Salmorejo shots, Iberian pork, seasonal specials
A small chain that maintains quality across multiple locations.
The kitchen modernises Andalusian classics while respecting their essence. Salmorejo comes in shot glasses as an amuse-bouche. Iberian pork is sourced from quality producers. The atmosphere is contemporary and welcoming. Reliable choice when you want quality without hunting.
Tapas bars in Triana
Casa Cuesta
€Traditional tapasTriana · Historic Triana bar, tiled walls, standing room
Must try: Pavias de bacalao, carrillada, montaditos
A Triana institution since 1880, with original tiles and a bar that has seen generations of locals.
The cod fritters arrive hot and crispy. Carrillada is properly braised. Montaditos are generous. Stand at the bar, order in Spanish if you can, and experience tapas culture as it has been for over a century. Essential Seville.
Bar Las Golondrinas
€Traditional tapasTriana · No-frills neighbourhood bar
Must try: Gambas al ajillo, chicharrones, simple tapas
A no-frills neighbourhood bar where Triana residents actually drink.
The gambas al ajillo arrive sizzling. Chicharrones are properly crispy. The atmosphere is everyday Spanish life, unmarked by tourism. Prices are what locals pay. This is what tapas bars looked like before they became attractions.
La Primera del Puente
€€Seafood tapasTriana · Seafood specialist, busy terrace
Must try: Grilled fish, fried seafood, cold shellfish
A seafood-focused bar right by the Triana bridge, where fish arrives fresh from the coast.
The terrace fills quickly on warm evenings. Grilled fish is simply prepared, letting quality speak. Fried seafood is light and crispy. A good destination when you want seafood done properly without the full restaurant experience.
Sol y Sombra
€Traditional tapasTriana · Traditional bar, bullfighting decor
Must try: Flamenquines, tortilla, daily specials
A traditional Triana bar decorated with bullfighting memorabilia.
The flamenquines (breaded pork rolls with ham) are crispy and satisfying. Tortilla is made fresh. Daily specials depend on the market. The atmosphere is pure old Seville, with regulars who have been coming for decades.
Tapas bars in the centre
Bodeguita Romero
€Traditional tapasCentro · Standing-room bar, local institution
Must try: Montaditos de pringá, carrillada, simple tapas
A tiny bar famous for its montaditos de pringá, the slow-cooked meat mixture that is pure Seville comfort food.
Stand at the bar, elbow to elbow with locals, and order from the chalkboard. The space is cramped, the atmosphere intense, and the food excellent. This is tapas as it was meant to be.
Bodega Santa Cruz
€Traditional tapasSanta Cruz · Historic bodega, tourists and locals mix
Must try: Jamon, manchego, montaditos
A proper bodega in the tourist zone that maintains quality despite its location.
The ham is carved by hand from legs hanging behind the bar. Manchego comes in proper portions. Montaditos are generous. Yes, tourists come here, but so do locals who know the quality. Fair prices for the neighbourhood.
Duo Tapas
€€Modern tapasNear Metropol Parasol · Contemporary, younger crowd
Must try: Creative tapas, local ingredients, natural wines
A more contemporary approach to tapas, appealing to younger locals and visitors wanting something beyond traditional offerings.
Natural wines feature prominently. Ingredients are locally sourced and treated with creativity. The space is modern and inviting. A good option when you want quality in a contemporary setting.
In Alameda de Hercules
Contenedor
€€Market cuisineAlameda · Trendy but genuine, creative cooking
Must try: Daily changing menu based on market finds
A market-driven restaurant where the menu changes based on what the chef finds fresh each day.
The approach is creative but grounded, letting quality ingredients shine. The space is industrial-chic, the crowd young and food-focused. One of the restaurants putting Alameda on the culinary map.
Bar Pepe Hillo
€Traditional tapasAlameda · Plaza terrace, people-watching
Must try: Simple tapas, cold beer, atmosphere
A traditional bar on the Alameda plaza where the terrace is the attraction.
The food is simple and honest rather than remarkable. But the position, watching the parade of Seville evening life pass by, makes it worth a stop. Order a cold beer, some simple tapas, and enjoy the show.
Vineria San Telmo
€€Wine bar and tapasNear Alameda · Wine-focused, knowledgeable staff
Must try: Wine selection, creative tapas, cheese boards
A wine-focused bar with particular strength in sherry, as befits a city so close to Jerez.
Staff know their bottles and can guide you through styles from bone-dry fino to sweet Pedro Ximenez. Tapas are well-crafted accompaniments. The space is intimate and convivial. Essential for wine lovers.
The serranito specialists
Bar Europa
€Traditional barCentro · No-frills bar famous for serranitos
Must try: Serranito, montaditos, cold beer
A no-frills bar famous across Seville for its serranito, the local sandwich of grilled pork, ham, green pepper, and sometimes tomato.
The version here sets the standard. Stand at the bar, order your serranito, and understand why this simple sandwich inspires such devotion. A Seville essential.
Breakfast and cafes
La Campana
€Pastry shop and cafeCentro · Historic pastry shop since 1885
Must try: Pastries, hot chocolate, coffee
Seville's most famous pastry shop, serving since 1885 from ornate premises in the city centre.
The display cases overflow with traditional sweets and modern creations. Hot chocolate is thick enough to stand a spoon in. The setting is pure old Seville grandeur. Come for breakfast or afternoon coffee.
Cafe Bar Las Teresas
€Traditional cafeSanta Cruz · Tiny bar, hams hanging from ceiling
Must try: Tostada, coffee, simple breakfast
A tiny bar in Santa Cruz where hams hang from every inch of ceiling.
The interior is atmospheric to the point of theatrical. Coffee is properly made, tostadas are generous. Yes, tourists come here, but the setting justifies the visit. The terrace on the small plaza is perfect for morning coffee.
What to order: Seville's essential dishes
Good to know
Seville takes its local dishes seriously. Many of these are specific to the city or Andalusia and rarely found elsewhere. Order them here where they are made properly.
Tapas essentials
Carrillada - Pork cheeks braised slowly until falling apart.
The signature dish of Seville. Order this everywhere and compare versions.
Espinacas con garbanzos - Spinach with chickpeas, spiced with cumin and paprika. Humble ingredients elevated to something transcendent.
Pringa - A mixture of slow-cooked meats (pork, chorizo, morcilla) served on bread. Pure comfort food.
Pavias de bacalao - Cod fritters in a light batter. Should be crispy outside, flaky within.
Flamenquines - Pork wrapped around ham, breaded, and fried. Cordoba's gift to Andalusia.
Chicharrones - Crispy fried pork belly. Simple, salty, addictive.
The serranito
Local tip
The serranito is Seville's sandwich: grilled pork loin, cured ham, and green pepper on a roll, sometimes with tomato. Every bar has a version. It is simple, satisfying, and distinctly sevillano. Order one standing at a bar counter for the full experience.
Seafood
Pescaito frito - Mixed fried fish, the Andalusian classic. Seville's version features river fish alongside coastal catch.
Gambas al ajillo - Prawns sizzling in garlic oil. The oil is for dipping bread.
Boquerones en vinagre - Fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar. Silky and tangy.
Tortillitas de camarones - Shrimp fritters from Cadiz, popular throughout Andalusia.
Soups
Gazpacho - The cold tomato soup needs no introduction. Seville's version is classic.
Salmorejo - Thicker than gazpacho, topped with ham and egg. From Cordoba but beloved in Seville.
Sweets
Torrijas - Spanish French toast, traditionally Easter but available year-round.
Yemas - Candied egg yolk sweets, a convent tradition.
Pestiños - Fried dough with honey, another Easter tradition now permanent.
Sherry and local drinks
Local tip
Seville sits close to the sherry triangle of Jerez, Sanlucar, and El Puerto de Santa Maria. The city drinks more sherry than almost anywhere else. Learn the styles: fino (dry, pale), manzanilla (from Sanlucar, even drier), amontillado (aged, nuttier), oloroso (rich, dark), and Pedro Ximenez (sweet, syrupy). A good bar can guide you through.
Rebujito - The fair drink: fino sherry mixed with lemon soda. Refreshing and dangerously drinkable.
Tinto de verano - Red wine with lemon soda. The everyday summer drink.
Cruzcampo - The local beer. Perfectly acceptable, ubiquitous, and very cold.
Practical tips for eating in Seville
Timing your meals
- Breakfast: 9-11am. Coffee and toast at a bar or pastry at La Campana.
- Lunch: 2-4pm. The main meal. Restaurants fill by 2:30pm.
- Tapas hour: 1-2pm and 8-10pm. The crawl happens before meals.
- Dinner: 9:30pm-midnight. Earlier in winter, later in summer.
- Summer heat: In July-August, avoid eating between 2-9pm when the heat is brutal. Sevillanos do.
The tapas crawl
Local tip
The proper way to eat tapas in Seville is to move from bar to bar, eating one or two dishes at each. Start around 1pm for lunch or 8:30pm for dinner. Order a drink and a tapa, eat standing at the bar, then move on. Three or four bars make a meal. Five or six make a night.
Booking and reservations
Restaurants require booking, especially on weekends.
Tapas bars are walk-in, but popular spots like Eslava benefit from reservations. Fine dining needs advance planning. The best bars are smallest and fill fastest.
Summer survival
Seville is brutally hot in summer, regularly exceeding 40C.
Eating patterns shift accordingly. Lunch becomes the main meal, eaten in air-conditioned comfort. Dinner waits until 10pm or later when temperatures drop. Many locals leave the city entirely in August.
Tourist traps
Local tip
Avoid restaurants directly around the Cathedral and on the main Santa Cruz squares. The closer to a major monument, the worse the price-to-quality ratio. Walk five minutes in any direction and quality improves dramatically while prices drop.
Eating by neighbourhood
Centro and Cathedral area
The historic centre holds both tourist traps and genuine gems.
Quality varies enormously. El Rinconcillo and Bodeguita Romero are essentials. Avoid the restaurants with photos on menus and touts at doors.
Santa Cruz
The old Jewish quarter is atmospheric but heavily touristed.
A few quality places survive among the mediocrity. Las Teresas and Bodega Santa Cruz maintain standards. Choose carefully.
Triana
Cross the bridge to this traditional neighbourhood and find Seville as it used to be.
Casa Cuesta, Las Golondrinas, and Sol y Sombra serve locals who have been coming for generations. The most authentic tapas experience in the city.
Alameda de Hercules
The trendy neighbourhood for younger sevillanos and creative cooking.
Contenedor leads the way. Evening drinks on the plaza terraces are a Seville ritual. More contemporary than traditional.
Macarena
A residential neighbourhood with local bars serving locals.
Less polished than Alameda, more authentic. Worth exploring if you want to escape the tourist circuit entirely.
Markets
Mercado de Triana
The neighbourhood market holds excellent produce stalls and a few tapas bars where you can eat what you just bought. Come in the morning when vendors are setting up and locals are shopping.
Mercado de la Encarnacion
The market beneath the Metropol Parasol (the "mushroom" structure) combines traditional market stalls with modern tapas bars. More tourist-friendly than Triana, but quality remains good.
Day trips for food lovers
Jerez de la Frontera
The sherry capital offers bodega tours, tapas bars, and a food culture shaped by centuries of wine production. The tabancos (traditional sherry bars) are unmissable.
Jerez de la Frontera
85 km · 1 hour driveThe sherry capital offers bodega tours, flamenco, and tapas bars where sherry accompanies everything.
Huelva and the Iberian pig
The Sierra de Aracena produces Spain's finest Iberian ham. Day trips can include visits to jamón producers and the medieval town of Aracena.
Sierra de Aracena
100 km · 1.5 hour driveThe heartland of Iberian ham production, with medieval villages and dehesa oak forests where pigs roam.
Cordoba
A quick train ride brings you to the city of salmorejo, flamenquin, and Moorish splendour. The tapas bars around the Mezquita are worth the journey.
Cordoba
140 km · 45 min trainHome of salmorejo and flamenquin, with atmospheric tapas bars in the shadow of the Mezquita.
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