Sevilla Foodie Checklist Guide: Must Eats + Best Tapas Bars

Andalusia, for me, will always be that border world between Europe and North Africa with its unmistaken convergence of two distinct cultures that has transformed into something of its own. From the Romani gypsies and the Arab Berbers, we have the wild passion and rhythm of Flamenco.

And like the hot desert wind that blow across the sea from the Sahara, the spices of North Africa combine with traditional Spanish flavors to createthe many mouthwatering dishes and tapas that can be enjoyed in cities like Sevilla.

I’m always saving recommendations and places way before I get to a city. Sevilla was no exception. Once I got there, I wandered around and walked into countless restaurants to check out their menu and come up with a short list of places that piqued my interests. After the most recent trip to Sevilla, I was able to return to some of my favorite spots as well as add a number of new gem to the list.

If you need help planning your trip to Sevilla, check out my 3 DAY MUST DO’S + FOOD ITINERARY that’s been curated to include the best places to eat on this list along with seeing the city’s most worthwhile attractions.

The Best Tapas Bars and Foodie Places To Eat In Sevilla

They are in no particular order and I’ve linked to their Google Maps location. I’ve also put an * next to my favorite places. If you’re a foodie, bookmark this page and check out a few of these places when you arrive to Sevilla.

A Note About Restaurant Charges and Tipping In Spain

It’s quite common for restaurants in Sevilla to bring out and bread, picos (crunch bread sticks or crackers) and olives. There’s a .€50 to €2 charge for this pan, picos y aceitunas servicio or some variation and it’s perfectly acceptable to refuse it if you don’t want it.

The cartas or menus should list this charge and also indicate that all prices include I.V.A  or VAT, which are taxes on the food.

Sometimes, you might also a terrace fee or different prices for sitting outside on the terrace. This is legal and should also be clearly noted on the menu or posted on an advertisement board.

Other than the listed bread services, by law, cubierto (cover) and servicio (service) charges are illegal for restaurants to include on your bill. When dining, I always advise people to take a closer look at the menu prior to ordering just so there’s no confusion afterwards about prices or additional charges.

If you are unsure, you should not hesitate to ask about the fee. On a personal note, unless it looks good, I rarely eat the bread and crackers brought out. They are often low quality or stale bread they bring out and reuse since most people won’t bother with refusing the bread and charge.

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Sevilla and Spain. If you’d like to leave a tip 5% is fine and 10% for great service. Alternatively at tapas bars and cafes, you can leave €1-2 in coins as a gesture.

Must-Try Things To Eat In Sevilla

As someone who loves tapas, I look for my classic favorites as well as dishes that are unique to Sevilla. For the sake of keeping this list reasonable, I leave off dishes like Pulpo a la Gallega, Tortilla Espanola, Jamon Iberico only because you’ll either find them everywhere in Spain or they are better in different regions.

This list is meant to give you an idea of some different things you try if you haven’t already.

Carrillada De Cerdo: Braised pork cheeks cooked until they melt in your mouth and typically served in a rich red wine or tomato-based sauce. It’s so good, I have to keep myself from ordering it every time.

Rabo Del Toro: A slow-cooked stew made with ox-tail braised in red wine that is deeply savory and tender. The fragrant spices hit first and lingers long after you’ve tried to pick every piece of meat off the bone.

Solomillo Al Whisky: A popular Sevillian dish of succulent pork tenderloin served with a tangy whisky-garlic sauce and often with crispy potatoes. You’ll find this in practically every tapas bar and many will claim theirs is the best.

Boquerones: Deep fried anchovies, light salted and eaten whole. They are usually quite small and come served in a paper cone like fries. Extremely addictive, especially with a cold beer.

Alcachofa A La Plancha: Grilled artichokes are popular in the region and you can find it served simply with lemon, garlic and olive oil or paired with jamon or shrimps.

Lentejas: A comforting lentil stew with chunks of chorizo and vegetables. It’s a warm and hearty dishes in the cooler months, but I enjoy it anytime of the year with a good chunk of bread.

Espinacas Con Garbanzos: Another traditional Sevillian tapa. This vegetarian dish combines sautéed spinach with chickpeas and seasoned with spices like cumin and paprika for a simple but tasty dish.

Salmorejo: A thicker, creamier cousin to gazpacho, this cold soup is made from puréed tomatoes, stale bread, olive oil, and garlic. It’s refreshing on its own, but can be a heartier meal when topped with jamon and diced boiled eggs.

Huelva Shrimps: Delicate and sweet shrimps from the nearby Huelva coast that are often grilled, steamed or boiled. It only needs a sprinkle of course sea salt to bring out its flavors. Like the deep fried boquerones, this is a perfect pairing for a light cold beer.

Vino De Naranja: A specialty of Andalusia, this wine is made by macerating white wine with bitter oranges to create a slightly sweet and citrusy wine that can be enjoyed with a meal or as a dessert wine.

Vermut Casero: A house-made vermouth can be commonly found in tapas bar and is a local favorite. The sweet vermouth is made by infusing and fortifying red wine with aromatic herbs and spices. In Spain, it’s sipped cold as a refreshing aperitif before meals.

Tinto De Verano: A refreshing mix of red wine and lemon soda, lighter and easier to make than sangria but possibly even more popular in Seville and Andalusia. It’s a popular summer drink for cooling off on hot days.

Breakfast + Brunch Spots

Bar El Comercio* is another old school bar that’s famous for their churros and hot chocolate. Try to get one of the tables outside and just order through the window.

Brunch Milk Away was on my list before I got to the city because I always map a couple of healthier options. I also knew I’d need a break from all the heavy Spanish cuisine at some point. Pancakes and bowls were tasty and in general, this place is good option for the those with food particularities.

Lunch

La Tienda De Placido Y Grata* was another of my favorite restaurants in Sevilla. I was surprised the place was rather empty at lunch considering how good the food was. Very pleasuring aesthetics here.

Fatouch* is a Lebanese restaurant with a great tasting menu for around €18. The food is delicious and plentiful. A favorite for sure.

El Pinton* is great lunch or brunch spot with one of the most beautiful interior spaces in Sevilla. Innovative dishes from a team from a creative team of chefs.

Rio Grande Sevilla was one of the nicest looking restaurants we walked by. Didn’t end up eating here, but it would have great for a special occasion with a spectacular view overlooking the river.

My Favorite Tapas Bars

El Rinconcillo* is the oldest restaurant in Seville that’s been around for 400 years. It’s old school here where they still write your bill on the bar in front of you. Find any open spot at the bar and get the oxtail stew or the pork cheeks.

La Flor de Toranzo* is a famous bar in Sevilla that I only discovered through an awesome tapas and tavern food tour. I actually came back here to try more of their different montadito sandwiches and the foie gras. The must-try thing here are the anchovies with condensed milk in a toasted bun. Sounds weird, but it works.

Las Columnas is your class tapas establishment. One our pass through of the popular Calle Mateos Gago tapas row, this spot jumped out as being the least touristy looking place on the street. It was fun and the food was good, but after an amazing week of eating, this was more of the experience of being on the street.

La Hermandad del Sushi is cool Japanese Izakaya meets traditional tapas tavern. It’s one of those places that catches your eye when you walk by. Japanese chef and great sushi for a good price.

Bar Catedral is almost next door to Las Columnas. It’s centrally located right on the main tapas row of Calle Mateos Gago. Service is quickly and friendly. Lots of tourist, but food was good.

Duo Tapas is off the main area of Alameda de Hercules, but well-known enough that we had to make a reservation for the next night. The tapas here were amongst the best we had all week. Nothing fancy like some of the other spots on this list, but everything as just done well.

Ovejas Negras Tapas was recommended to me as Asian fusion tapas spot. I recommend this place if you want nicer tapas offerings or an Asian take on the classic tapas.

Best Dinner

Callao Bodega Triana* is quiet restaurants away from the crowds located on the Triana side. I enjoyed everything about this restaurant from the food to the service and the just the overall ambiance.

Restaurante San Marco is housed in a 12th century Moorish bathhouse.

Pelayo Bar is another eye-catching tapas bar with a covered outdoor seating area that opens right onto the street. You’ll find all the classic dishes here and it’s always packed. I didn’t eat here, but only because I ran out of time.

La Brunilda Tapas is a slightly more upscale take on the tapas bar. After a few days, I found the tapas offering in Seville to be a bit repetitive, so it was nice to see a “better” version, so to speak. Definitely worth the price difference.

Akira is an all you can eat sushi restaurant for €20. The sushi is average but the other dishes make up for it.

Best Bars In Sevilla

Bar Casa Vizcaino* is a great bar for drinks and jamon that draws a standing crowd all day and all night. Awesome vibes.

La Grande San Jacinto* is a no frills bar that serves seafood tapas. You will love their small shrimps with a cold beer.

Bodeguita el 24 is one of those places you go to drink with friends in your neighborhood. I really liked it here for no particular reason.

Bodega La Aurora is a winery that’s been open for over 100 years. They do a flaming cured chorizo that you “cook” yourself. Simple, but fun. It’s worth a visit if you like wine.

Looking for more travel inspirations? Scroll through some of the 450+ experiences on my bucket list. Maybe you’ll find your next adventure on there.

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Updated on September 15, 2024