Seville is the capital of ‘tapas’, those tasty little appetizers that Spaniards eat with their drink before heading off to dinner. Rather than going to a restaurant you can tour the tapas bars of Seville. There’s no end of dishes to try and no end of bars to try them in.Below we’ve selected a few of our favourite Seville tapas bars and listed them according to areas of the city.
How to Order Tapas:
Remember that a ‘tapa’ is very small whilst a ración is a full plate of the same dish. Often it’s a good idea to order half portions (media raciónes) of dishes you fancy trying. This gives you the chance to order a selection of different things which you can share rather than filling up on full portions.
The City Centre
Referring to “El Centro” might be rather vague but for the purpose of this listing of recommended tapas bars we’re referring to the area around c/Sierpes and c/Tetuan where you’ll find most of Seville’s main shopping streets:
Blanco Cerillo (c/Jose de Velilla, 1)
Just off the main c/Velazquez shopping street this bar specializes in fish in a marinade (adobo).
La Flor de mi Viña (c/Jose de Velilla, 7)
A little further down the same street is an absolute gem offering a fine selection of great tapas.
Bar Santa Marta (Plaza San Andres)
Great place to sit outside and try their well known ‘flamenquin’.
Lizarran (Javier Lasso de la Vega, 14)
Loads of innovative tapas on offer and the waiters are always bringing around specials for you to try.
El Patio de San Eloy (c/ San Eloy 9)
Decorated with ceramics throughout, this is a popular place where the locals enjoy sandwiches on freshly baked bread whilst sitting on the steps at the back of the bar.
El Arenal
This is whole area between the Cathedral and the river including the streets around the bullring:
Bar Hijos de E. Morales (c/Garcia de Vinuesa)
Great atmospheric old bodega with sherry barrels around the place.
Bodegas Diaz Salazar (c/Garcia de Vinuesa)
Another atmospheric old bodega serving simple tapas at the bar.
Meson Serranito (c/Antonia Díaz 11)
Tapas bar/restaurant offering a wide range of typical Spanish dishes.
Bodega Antonio Romero (c/Antonio Diaz, 19)
Great spot near the bullring to try a fine range of tapas.
Enrique Becerra (c/Gamazo, 2)
This well known restaurant also serves excellent tapas in its downstairs bar.
Cerveceria Internacional (c/Gamazo, 1)
Great place to sample a selection of beers from all over Europe.
Barrio Santa Cruz and Cathedral Area
This is the main tourist area which is made up of the many streets behind the Cathedral and Alcazar heading towards Menéndez Pelayo:
Bar Giralda (c/Mateus Gagos 1)
One of Seville’s most famous bars which was originally a Moorish bathhouse. Offers a huge selection of tapas. Try the espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas).
Bodega Belmonte (c/Mateus Gagos 24)
Excellent tapas attracting a large tourist contingent.
Bodega Santa Cruz (c/Justino de Neve 2)
A lively place which attracts locals and tourists alike. Offers a great choice of tapas. Notice how the waiter chalks your bill on the bar.
Casa Román (Plaza de los Venerables 1)
Superb old tapas bar famous for its jamón de jabugo (one of Spain’s finest cured hams) and caña de lomo (a pork stew).
Bodeguita Casablanca (Adolfo Rodríguez Jurado, 12)
Good selection of local tapas at this bar near the Archivo de Indias.
Hostería del Laurel (Plaza de los Venerables 5)
On the opposite corner of the square from Casa Roman this historic bar offers excellent tapas including zarzuelita de mariscos (shellfish cocktail).
Las Teresas (c/Santa Teresa 2)
An atmospheric bar with a bullfighting tradition which serves a fine selection of tapas.
Casa Antonio (Plaza Alfalfa)
You simply shouldn’t leave Seville without trying Antonio’s cabrillas. These are delicious snail dishes served in a moist, herb sauce.
Bar Modesto (c/Cano y Cueto, 5)
One of the city’s best and most well known tapas bars located to the north of Santa Cruz. Unbelievable choice.
La Judería (c/Cano y Cueto, 13)
Good mid-priced restaurant for a sit down lunch.
Bodegón Pez Espada (c/Hernando Colón 8 )
Hugely popular and inexpensive place to eat near the Cathedral. Excellent seafood and paella.
Barrio Triana and River Area
Crossing the river over the Puente de Triana brings you into c/San Jacinto in the Triana neighbourhood where you’ll find a whole stretch of bars specialising in fried fish dishes. C/Betis runs along the side of the river where you’ll find a fine selection of tapas bars with views over the river:
La Primera del Puente (c/Betis s/n)
A bar with a fine terrace overlooking the river. Try the chipirón a la plancha (grilled baby squid).
Kiosko de los Flores (c/Betis)
This lies at a riverside site with a superb terrace from where you can order great raciónes. Speciality is fried fish.
Bar Sol y Sombra (c/Castilla 151)
A bar with a great bullfight tradition. Try the cola de toro (oxtail) or cazuela Tío Pepe (stew with sherry).
Casa Ruperto (Avda. De Santa Cecilia, 2)
Modest bar on the outskirts of Triana serving outstanding cabrillas en salsa (snails in sauce).
Albariza (Betis, 6)
Huge variety of typical local tapas including superb chuletillas de cordero (lamb chops).
The Alfalfa & Plaza del Salvador
This is an area well worth discovering if you’re keen to find some excellent tapas bars. Find Plaza del Salvador on your map and head east to get there. You’ll find several bars with terraces (Bar Manolo, Casa Diego, Gran Tino) which are great people watching spots on a warm evening but for the atmosphere of a busy tapas bar it’s best to go inside one like La Bodega:
Bar Alfalfa (Plaza Alfalfa)
Small bar at the entrance to Plaza Alfalfa with inventive tapas that attracts a large local clientele.
La Bodega (Plaza Alfalfa)
Great selection of tapas in this bar that opens onto the street. Watch out for the skill of the busy barmen.
Bar Manolo (Plaza Alfalfa)
Try getting a table at their terrace and watch the world go by in this busy square.
Habanita Restaurant (Calle Golfo, 3)
Interesting option thanks to the Cuban influence in the available tapas.
Entrecárceles (Callejón del Agua, 6)
A tiny bar holding no more than 20 people which lies on the site of a former prison. Serves excellent sherries.
Bar Garloche (c/ de los Boteros 26)
Interesting bar with a Holy Week theme located centrally near Plaza Alfalfa.
Entre dos Hermandades (c/Recaredo 13)
Basic bar/restaurant near the Casa de Pilatos offering a great value menú del día at lunchtime.
Taberna Coloniales (Burgos, 19)
Popular locals’ haunt near the Casa de Pilatos serving great tapas.
Bar Europa (c/ Siete Revuelta 35)
A bit pricey but good tapas served on their terrace in the Plaza del Pan.
Bar Kiko (Herbolarios, 17)
Try the marinated chicken in this popular tapas haunt near the Alfalfa.
Santa Catalina
This is a popular tapas area centred on the Iglesia Santa Catalina:
El Rinconcillo (Calle Gerona, 42)
This is Seville’s oldest bar (founded in 1670). An atmospheric locale offering a limited but good selection of tapas.
La Huerta (Plaza de los Terceros)
Lovely place to sit under the orange trees and try some of their exquisite tapas.
Bar Ajo Blanco (Calle Alhondiga, 19)
Atmospheric little place adorned with jazz related memorabilia.
Alameda, San Lorenzo & Macarena Districts
San Lorenzo stands just west of the large open square called the Alameda de Hercules whilst the Macarena District runs north east of the Alameda leading to the Basilica Macarena and the Andalucian Parliament building.
Bar Eslava (c/Eslava 3–5)
Great tapas bar near the church of San Lorenzo. Try the cordero con miel (lamb with honey). Good restaurant next door.
Las Columnas (Alameda De Hércules, 19)
Get a table overlooking the square and try the meatballs at this popular spot.
Bar Alcoy 10 (Calle Teodosio, 10)
One of the most innovative selection of tapas around in this little spot near San Lorenzo.
La Madraza (Calle Peris Mencheta, 21)
A top choice among Seville’s tapas restaurants which constantly attracts many locals so it’s usually packed at weekends.