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As we wandered through the streets, it became evident that the tapas bars in Seville, both classic and trendy, are part of the city’s culture and beauty. People gathered around outdoor tables and squeezed their way into small Seville bars. As we were in search of the best tapas in Seville, we eagerly joined the crowds to sample the Spanish fare!
Locals let us in on a little secret about their Andalusian city: people there live outside of their homes. Instead of being indoors, time is spent with family, friends and neighbors at their favorite Seville restaurant sipping on local wine and snacking on Seville tapas.
Eating traditional Seville food is a key element in how they socialize. Based on a few recommendations and simply following the locals to the action, we found our way into the best bars in Seville, Spain for tapas – and a few drinking bars as well!
5 Tapas Bars for the Best Tapas in Seville, Spain
There are many Seville, Spain Attractions, but none intrigued us as much as eating! To be more accurate, on our trip to Spain we were mostly interested in eating tapas in Seville.
While we would not recommend any visitor missing the Seville top sights, we don’t think a trip to the city would be complete without dining in at least one tapas bar. With numerous choices for tapas, we worked diligently to compile our list of the best tapas bars in Seville!
#1 El Rinconcillo Sevilla
El Rinconcillo was founded in 1670 – making it the oldest tapas bar in Seville. Located on a quiet square northwest from the Cathedral, it is worth the effort to find this spot for both the incredible Sevilla tapas and the warm ambiance.
We fell in love with the atmosphere at El Rinconcillo as soon as we walked in the door. The shabby chic interior of the dimly lit room was inviting and cozy. The long bar offers plenty of standing space and the room is decorated with hanging ham legs and dusty bottles lining the shelves. Staying in character of the old-fashioned vibe, our tab was chalked directly onto the bar with each tapas dish we ordered.
We clustered at the end of the bar and were entertained by the bartender, who at first seemed crusty, but we quickly learned it was just part of his charm. We tossed aside the El Rinconcillo Sevilla menu and took his recommendations for tapas and wine, going out of our comfort zone with a cooked spinach dish that was surprisingly delicious. Our entire experience at El Rinconcillo was fabulous, which earned the restaurant our top spot for Best Tapas Bar in Seville!
#2 Las Golondrinas Sevilla
We had to squeeze our way into the packed Las Golondrinas, one of the highly recommended Triana, Seville restaurants. Although it’s top-rated in tour books and Seville food guides, we found both tourists and locals inside, which made us wonder if Las Golondrinas is, perhaps, the best restaurant in Triana, Seville.
In the completely packed bar, it was impossible to get recommendations from the staff, but we came prepared with a list of the house Seville food specialties: tapas of pork sirloin and sautéed mushrooms. We were not disappointed; the dishes lived up to the touts as best tapas in Triana, Seville.
#3 Bodega Siglo XVIII
We were lured into Bodega Siglo XVIII by the number of satisfied patrons that were spilling out the front door – and are certainly glad we seized the opportunity. We scored seats close to the bar and watched and array of savory dishes of cured meats, pungent cheeses and smoked fish – being created. A steady flow of regulars rotated through the bar, chatting up the bar staff and ordering their favorite tapas.
#4 Bar Alfalfa Sevilla
We liked Bar Alfalfa Sevilla more for the Seville nightlife than for the Seville tapas. That’s not to say that the tapas weren’t good, but just that Bar Alfalfa was an incredibly fun Seville bar that attracted a jovial bunch!
We grabbed seats at the center table, which quickly became a community table as the bar filled up with local patrons and fellow tourists. We chatted with other travelers, expats, and locals and ‘just one drink’ turned into a several hour affair. Sampling the wine slowly (but surely) took precedence over eating Sevilla tapas!
#5 Bar Blanco Cerrillo
Blanco Cerrillo is a tapas bar Sevilla gem! This Seville tapas restaurant came highly recommended by our Airbnb host – for good reason. More modern, but keeping traditional hours, Blanco Cerrillo was closed the first time we passed by in late afternoon.
We strolled the neighborhood and by the time we rolled back around, the place was packed! It really is all about timing. The Spanish-speaking-only, yet friendly and helpful, bartender mostly got the gist of our ‘No pescados’ request and brought a steady stream of some of the best tapas in Seville, Spain to our table.
Tapas Tour Seville, Spain
While we created our own Spanish Tapas Crawl, there are several Sevilla Tapas Tours where a local guide will lead the way and give guests a yummy introduction to the top snacks in Spain. Check out these highly-rated Tapas Tours in Seville on Viator!
- Seville Tapas Tour and Flamenco Show – Book now!
- Gourmet Wine and Tapas Tour – Reserve your spot!
- Triana Tapas Tour – Check out the reviews!
- Visiting Barcelona as well? Read our guide to Tapas Bars in Barcelona!
Seville Tapas Bars Map
Use this link to Google Maps to find all the locations of bars serving the best tapas in Seville.
See More On Our Complete Spain Itinerary!
3 Drinking Bars in Seville, Spain
While in search of the best tapas Sevilla has to offer, we wandered into a few Sevilla bars better known for their drinks than food.
Top Tip: Some Seville nightlife spots, like Bar Alfalfa double as a Seville tapas bar and drinking bar.
Live Flamenco at Farinas
Sometimes when we get a little lost we stumble into the best experiences– as was the case with Farinas. It was dark outside and were on a fairly quiet street trying to find our way back to the city center when we heard Flamenco music coming from a doorway we would have otherwise passed. A few locals standing outside smoking noticed our interest and invited us inside.
What we walked into was a tiny space with folding chairs pushed to the wall on one side, a stage with a few stools and a small bar in the back. It felt like we walked into someone’s home. Everyone seemed to know each other. The man playing guitar invited two girls to join him on stage to help him sing a round of songs and a toddler-aged boy played a beat box. As it got more crowded, a few people started to dance – those without partners danced in a group of women. The unexpected experience was beyond amazing! Update: It appears Farinas has closed.
Rooftop Bars in Seville, Spain
Sometimes drinks taste better with a view – and there are two rooftop restaurant Seville hotels that boast excellent views of the city and Cathedral.
As with most drinks-with-a-view, the prices are inflated, but come with snacks. We caught a sunset at each place…and happily paid the surcharge on drinks for the stunning view at both EME Hotel and Hotel Palacio Alcazar.
Want to experience a Seville Bar Crawl? Join fellow travelers on a tour and let a guide lead the way through the city to the top Seville bars!
Our Top Tips For Your Trip To Seville, Spain
Now that you’re certainly hungry and probably thirsty, we have a few last travel tips and packing hacks for your vacation to Spain!
Where To Stay in Seville, Spain
During our visit to Seville, we stayed in a fantastic Airbnb Apartment. We have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive than hotel rooms – with the added benefit of a kitchen and, usually, more space.
However, for those who prefer staying in traditional accommodations, there are many Seville Hotels to choose from in – or close to – the city center. Check out these top-rated hotels (based on guest reviews) for your upcoming trip: Hotel Casa Del Poeta | Hotel Amadeus & La Musica | Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla
Before You Go To Seville, Spain
- Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes. I (Sarah) will always pack these shoes by Columbia, New Balance and Reef. Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell and Sanuk.
- We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to Spain! Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera).
- It’s easy to get turned around or lost in any new city! Be sure to have a good city map and/or guidebook prior to arriving in Seville.
- Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you’ll also want a great day pack to organize all your essential everyday travel items!
- If you haven’t already obtained insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Spain! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Visiting Other Top Destinations in Spain? We’ve got you covered with our detailed guides to Madrid, Barcelona, and San Sebastian!
We want to know: What would you add to our list of Best Tapas in Seville? Do you have favorite tapas bars in Seville, Spain? How did they compare to Tapas in Barcelona or San Sebastian Pintxos Bars? Give us your best tips and advice in the comments!
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