🍷 The Bars and Taverns of Seville promise to be a historic experience that will consolidate the city as the world capital of tapas and miniature gastronomy.
📅When and where can you enjoy the Bars and Taverns of Seville?
The Bars and Taverns of Seville open their doors every day of the year, but the true ritual of Sevillian tapas begins at 1:00 p.m. for the pre-lunch aperitif, and resumes at 8:00 p.m. for dinner.
The entire city is a tapas stage, but the neighbourhoods with the highest concentration of emblematic bars are the historic centre (Mateos Gago, Santa María la Blanca, Alfalfa, Cuna, Sierpes streets), the mythical Triana neighbourhood (Betis, San Jacinto, Castilla streets) and the lively Alameda de Hércules.
This is not the first time Seville has boasted of its bars and taverns, but every year the city reaffirms its status as the cradle of tapas, a tradition that has managed to preserve its essence without renouncing the avant-garde.
🏛️Who keeps the tradition alive in the Bars and Taverns of Seville?
Behind every bar counter there is a family history, generations that have passed the baton from parents to children. In Seville, bars and taverns are mostly run by Sevillian families who have turned their businesses into authentic institutions.
Some of these establishments, such as El Rinconcillo or Casa Morales, have been in the same premises for more than 350 and 175 years respectively, run by the same families for generations.
The Seville City Council also plays a fundamental role in the protection and promotion of this culture, declaring some of these establishments as Intangible Cultural Heritage and promoting tapas routes that encourage gastronomic tourism.
📜 A brief history: the origin of the tapa in Seville
The history of tapas is intimately linked to Seville. In fact, the people of Seville proudly claim that tapas were born in their city. The word "tapa" was coined in the Andalusian capital during the second half of the 19th century.
The legend of King Alfonso XIII
The most widespread version places the origin of tapas in an anecdote starring King Alfonso XIII. The story goes that, on a visit to southern Spain, the King ordered a glass of Sherry wine in a Sevillian tavern. It was a very windy day and the waiter, to protect the drink from dust and flies, placed a slice of ham as a "tapa" over the glass.
The king liked the idea so much that he continued to order his drink with a "tapa" from then on. Although historians consider this legend "patently false", the truth is that the lexical origin of the word "tapa" does indeed come from "lid".
The first time "tapa" was written
The oldest documented reference of the word "tapa" as food appeared in the Sevillian newspaper El Tío Clarín on 26 June 1865. In a brief news item about the festivities of San Juan and San Pedro, it was mentioned that «in the taverns you cannot find a slice of cod nor a portion of tapas for an eye of the face».
Another legend: the tapa that saved a colonel
A third legend, less well known but equally curious, places the origin of the tapa in a carelessness in the red wine jug of a colonel in a Sevillian tavern. When serving him the drink, the waiter accidentally dropped a slice of cold meat that covered the mouth of the glass, and the colonel liked it so much that he ordered it to always be served to him that way.
Whichever version you prefer, the truth is that the Tapa was born as a quick snack to mitigate hunger between meals and has evolved to become one of the most universal hallmarks of Spanish gastronomy. And if you are Vegan, we present the Vegan Tapa Route in Seville
🗺️What are the most emblematic bars and taverns in Seville?
In Seville there are bars like mushrooms in a forest in autumn, but the ones that always triumph are the classics, the ones from forever. Here is a selection of the must-sees:
🍷 El Rinconcillo (1670): the oldest in Andalusia
- Located at 40 Gerona Street, El Rinconcillo is the oldest bar in Andalusia, with more than 350 years of history. It opened its doors in 1670, when Charles II reigned in Spain, and since then 15 kings and four dynasties have passed through the throne.
- In 1858 the De Rueda family acquired the premises and still runs it today. Its walls hold three centuries of history: the Tarifa tile floor, the wooden beam ceiling and the tiles from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. On the ground floor, the waiters still write down the order with chalk on the mahogany counter, an image that transports the visitor directly to the past.
- Essential tapa: Spinach with chickpeas
- Other recommendations: Cod pavías, chacinas
🍖 Casa Morales (1850): Carlos Herrera's favourite corner
- A stone's throw from the Cathedral, at 11 García de Vinuesa Street, Casa Morales is one of the most emblematic taverns in Seville.
- Founded in 1850 as a Valdepeñas wine shop, today it remains a symbol of the most authentic Sevillian tapas, with its century-old barrels, its wooden counter and that atmosphere that seems stopped in time. The journalist Carlos Herrera, a Sevillian soul, is clear: "It is a very Sevillian classic with the wines of always. If you go to the centre and don't come here, you have missed part of Seville".
- Essential tapa: Iberian carrillada
- Other recommendations: Cod pavías, cuttlefish meatballs, ensaladilla, chickpea stew, tagarnina stew
🥩 Las Golondrinas (more than 40 years): the most famous sirloin tips
- We cross the river to the genuine Triana Neighbourhood. There, in a small, most authentic bar, the same family has been serving tapas that mark tradition since the business opened its doors more than 40 years ago. Las Golondrinas is a place where simplicity becomes art.
- Essential tapa: Sirloin tips on a slice of bread, accompanied by bagged potatoes. "You can be sure that you will not try anything like it in any other bar in the whole world"
🍺 The old Bodeguita del Salvador: the queen of Plaza del Salvador
- There is no midday in the centre of Seville that begins differently than with a beer at the Bodeguita del Salvador, in the very Plaza del Salvador.
- On sunny days there is no greater wonder. They have recently renovated the classic building and now you can enjoy tapas in one of the four charming floors they have enabled with typical Sevillian decoration and brutal views of the square.
Essential tapa: Grilled Gilda (although it is not so Sevillian, it is incredible)
🏺 Las Escobas (1386): the oldest tavern in Seville (in Spain?)
- Located at 62 Álvarez Quintero Street, Las Escobas is, according to some testimonies, the oldest tavern not only in Seville but in all of Spain.
- It is believed that around 1383 or 1386, a broom maker from the city, in order not to see his fortune diminished, had to simultaneously dedicate himself to making brooms and selling wine to passers-by and residents, setting up tables and barrels. Today, in its little more than 80 square metres, you can still enjoy its Sherry wines and typical Sevillian cuisine.
- Essential tapas: Marinated dogfish, salmorejo, oxtail croquettes, dressed potatoes
These are the Bars and Taverns of Seville where you can find us most often
🍇Taberna Manolo Cateca: the embassy of Sherry wine in Seville
- In one of those alleys behind Plaza de la Campana, specifically at 13 Santa María de Gracia Street, hides one of the most precious gems for wine lovers. It is the Taberna Manolo Cateca, a tiny space —barely 22 square metres where 15 people fit— that carries out an almost apostolic work around the wines of Jerez and Montilla-Moriles.
- What makes this tavern unique is its impressive selection of wines. It has up to 200 different references of wines from Jerez and Montilla-Moriles, all enjoyable by the glass, something not common in establishments with such variety.
- The customer can drink from just 1.70 euros to up to 30 euros per glass, at the consumer's pleasure. It is no coincidence that in 2023 this establishment was chosen by Solera as the best wine tavern in the city.
But the Taberna Manolo Cateca is not only for drinking. You also eat a lot and well with essential references from the Sevillian bar:
- Huevos a la flamenca: a classic impossible to miss
- Tomato soup: one of the few places in Seville where it is still prepared
- Chicken livers with amontillado: a unique speciality that combines wine with the product
- Spinach with chickpeas and meat with tomato: lifelong stews
- Cured meats, cheeses and pickled products: ideal to accompany their wines
- Its owner serves with contagious passion, and the premises keep intact elements from another era: mahogany wood, draught beer and hydraulic floor. A true rarity in the new Sevillian wave of clone businesses. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
🐟 Bodega Mateo Ruiz: the temple of Icelandic cod
- Located behind Feria Street, at 33 Palacios Malaver Street, the historic Bodega Mateo Ruiz is one of those taverns where words are superfluous and silence becomes the best companion for a good tapa.
- In the 80s when the owner's son, Mateo Ruiz, took over, he turned the warehouse area into a tavern and included a menu with tapas and portions. Today it is run by the third generation: Roberto Ruiz (1984) behind the bar, and Raúl Ruiz (1987) in the kitchen.
- The most characteristic thing about this wine cellar is its silent atmosphere. Mateo and his son Raúl are mute, and communication in the premises is done with gestures and looks.
- Customers speak softly, captivated by the intimate atmosphere and the quality of things made with concentration and parsimony. As a curiosity, the accounts are still done with chalk on the counter.
- Since the 90s, the family began to prepare Icelandic cod, and soon it would give them great fame, especially thanks to its star speciality: fried cod in tacos, prepared with a secret batter mixture and fried with Núñez de Prado extra virgin olive oil.
In addition, the menu offers multiple ways to enjoy this fish:
- Cod in oil with almonds and pine nuts
- Basque-style cod omelette
- Cod pepito in oil with angel hair
Other delights of the house are freshly cooked prawns, prawn salad, cheese in oil, Barbate mojama, and prawn, blood sausage or morcón pepitos.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 12:30 to 16:00 and from 20:30 to midnight; Sundays from 12:30 to 16:00. No reservations.
🍽️What do you eat in the Bars and Taverns of Seville?
The most typical tapas in Seville
Sevillian gastronomy is a universe of flavours served in small portions to be able to try everything. Here are some of the most emblematic tapas:
Spinach with chickpeas
- Dish of convent origin, traditionally cooked during Lent
- Contains chickpeas, spinach, paprika and cumin. It is vegan and conquers all palates
Fried fish
- Anchovies, baby squid, cuttlefish, marinated dogfish, squid...
- The secret lies in the thin batter and frying in very hot olive oil
- La Mar de Fresquita (San Luis street)
Montadito de pringá
- Pringá is the leftover meats from the stew (chorizo, blood sausage, bacon, shredded meat) crumbled and served hot inside crusty bread (Andalusian mollete)
- The old Bodeguita del Salvador
Sirloin with whisky
- A modern classic that was born in the 70s
- Prepared with garlic, white wine, lemon juice and whisky, which was originally flambéed
- Its sauce is so delicious that few resist "dipping" with bread
Baby shrimp fritters
- "Cadiz art" that conquered Seville
- Crispy, thin and golden, they are prepared with flour (wheat or chickpea), onion, parsley and fresh baby shrimp
- If they crunch when bitten, they are at their perfect point
Salmorejo and Gazpacho
- Salmorejo is thick (bread, tomato, garlic, oil) and is served with ham and egg
- Gazpacho is lighter and is drunk to refresh yourself
- Salmorejo is originally from Córdoba, but the people of Seville have adopted it as their own
Carrillada with Pedro Ximénez
- Pork cheeks cooked in sweet wine from Montilla-Moriles
- A cult tapa, for palates seeking intensity and tradition
- Made with the tender leftover meats from the stew, a traditional Andalusian stew
Huevos a la flamenca
- Spoon dish with eggs, tomato, ham, peas and pepper
- Taberna Manolo Cateca, Casa Morales
Chicken livers with amontillado
- Chicken livers cooked with Sherry wine
- A delicious rarity that only the classics preserve
Fried cod in tacos
- The undisputed king of Bodega Mateo Ruiz
- Icelandic cod battered with a secret mixture and fried in extra virgin olive oil
🥂What do you drink in the Bars and Taverns of Seville?
The perfect pairing for tapas
In Seville, the drink is as important as the tapa that accompanies it. These are the most common options:
- Beer: A well-chilled caña (small beer) is the most common companion. Local brands such as Cruzcampo (born in Seville in 1904) have a massive presence.
- Sherry wine: Fino or Manzanilla are the generous white wines par excellence. Manzanilla comes from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, very close to Seville. In Taberna Manolo Cateca you will find more than 200 references of these wines.
- Valdepeñas wine: Bodega Mateo Ruiz keeps alive the tradition of this wine from La Mancha that was the king of bulk sales throughout the 20th century.
- Rebujito: The star drink of the April Fair, but which can be enjoyed all year round. It is made by mixing manzanilla or fino wine with a lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7 Up) and lots of ice. It is refreshing, festive and 100% Andalusian.
- Red wine: For more powerful meats, such as sirloin with whisky or carrillada, a red wine from the region (Ribera del Duero, Rioja or from the region itself) is the perfect choice.
- White wine: A Verdejo from Rueda or an Albariño pair perfectly with fried fish and baby shrimp fritters.
🌟What does tapas represent for Seville and the people of Seville?
For Seville, bars and taverns are much more than hospitality establishments. They represent:
- A way of life: "In Seville, eating is more than a basic necessity, it is a moment of shared enjoyment. We eat as we live".
- A meeting point: Tapas bars are the place where the people of Seville gather to talk, laugh and share. "Taping without tourists in Seville is not easy", but there are still temples where Seville has a special flavour.
- A daily ritual: "Going out for tapas is enjoying the city in its maximum splendour: touring it, changing bars, meeting new people".
- Living heritage: Century-old bars such as El Rinconcillo or Las Escobas are "living heritage that continues to attract those seeking authenticity in every dish".
- A gastronomic showcase: National Geographic magazine has selected the 18 best places for tapas in Seville, recognising the Andalusian capital as one of the places where the tapa is worshipped with the greatest intensity.
🏡Where to stay to enjoy the Bars and Taverns of Seville?
THE SUN PLACES: Your Luxury Refuge in the Heart of the City
At THE SUN PLACES, we know that exploring The Bars and Taverns of Seville is a unique experience that deserves accommodation to match. That is why we offer you our Luxury Apartments in Seville, the perfect refuge to enjoy the best Sevillian gastronomy with maximum comfort, elegance and, above all, to rest after an unforgettable tapas route.
🌟 Why stay with THE SUN PLACES to enjoy the Bars and Taverns of Seville?
- Strategic Location: Our apartments are located in the historic centre of Seville, in emblematic neighbourhoods such as Santa Cruz, El Arenal or Triana, just a few minutes from the most famous tapas temples. Imagine leaving Taberna Manolo Cateca (behind la Campana) and walking to your apartment in less than five minutes. Or crossing from Mateo Ruiz (near Feria Street) and walking back to your luxury accommodation.
- The True Foodie's Rest: A tapas route can last for hours, going from bar to bar, from tapa to tapa. After that experience, you need a place to rest properly. Our apartments offer you spacious areas, equipped kitchens (in case you feel like preparing your own Sevillian breakfast), high-quality beds and relaxing bathrooms to recover.
- Your Gastronomic Advantage: We will not just be your accommodation; we will be your culinary base of operations. Because tapas are enjoyed with energy and a clear mind. We offer you a peaceful and elegant environment to retire to after the tapas spree.
- Proximity to the Best Tapas Areas: From our apartments you can easily access the areas with the highest concentration of emblematic bars: Mateos Gago Street (in front of the Giralda), Plaza de la Alfalfa, Plaza del Salvador, the Santa Cruz neighbourhood and, of course, the mythical Triana neighbourhood.
- The Perfect Refuge: The Bars and Taverns of Seville are synonymous with joy, bustle and festive atmosphere. After a day (or a night) of tapas, you need a quiet and elegant place to retire. We offer it to you.
- Personalised Attention: We want your gastronomic experience to be unforgettable. That is why we help you with recommendations on the best bars according to your tastes, the most authentic tapas times, and everything you need to not miss a single bite of the city.
"The Bars and Taverns of Seville are the perfect excuse to immerse yourself in the most authentic gastronomy. At THE SUN PLACES, we open the doors of our city for you to experience this unique moment with the luxury and comfort you deserve."
📞 Contact THE SUN PLACES
Book your luxury apartment in Seville now to enjoy The Bars and Taverns of Seville like never before. We also have Luxury Accommodation in Cádiz and Sanlúcar de Barrameda if you want to extend your gastronomic experience throughout Andalusia.
Tapas, tradition and the city await you. We look forward to seeing you at THE SUN PLACES!