22 Best Restaurants in Seville, Andalusia

Excellent tapas (try the lamb kebab with dates and couscous), a lively bar, and an extensive wine list await at this restaurant run by the fifth generation of a family of celebrated restaurateurs. The menu focuses on traditional, home-cooked Andalusian dishes, such as cod in a green sauce, pork fillet in whiskey, and cola de toro guisado con salsa de vino tinto (stewed oxtail in red wine sauce). Don't miss the fried eggplant stuffed with prawns or the lamb meatballs. If you want a quiet meal, call to reserve a table in one of the small upstairs rooms.

The crowds gathered outside this local favorite off the Alameda de Hercules may be off-putting at first, but the creative inexpensive tapas (from €4) are well worth the wait—and so is the house specialty, the Basque dessert sokoa. Try delicacies like the cigarro para Bécquer (cuttlefish in a filo pastry cigar) and yema sobre bizcocho de boletus (egg atop a mushroom sponge). Tables at the tapas bar can't be booked (a call will get you a reservation at the next-door Eslava restaurant); to help avoid a wait, visit between 12:30 and 1:30 pm or between 5 and 8 pm.

Under the gilt-edged ceiling at Seville's most celebrated pastry outlet (founded in 1885), you can enjoy the flan-like tocino de cielo, or "heavenly bacon." For breakfast, enjoy a traditional feed of toasted bread with tomato and a strong coffee, served at a standing bar. Prices are reasonable despite its popularity.

Offering dining in a dimly lit dining room or on the street-level terrace, this popular Argentinean-owned restaurant near the touristy alcázar has a menu full of surprises. All dishes—which come as tapas, half portions, or full portions (ideal for sharing)—are superb and sophisticated, especially the eggplant stew with tomato, goat cheese, and smoked salmon; and the curried pumpkin and rocket croquettes. It can get very crowded and noisy, so it's not always an ideal place for a romantic meal for two.

Slightly off the beaten path but worth seeking, chef Julio Fernández's tasting menu takes you on a journey of the senses featuring seemingly ordinary local produce and traditional recipes elevated with unusual textures and preparations. The menu changes with the seasons, but always has nine dishes (€95) or 12 (€115) as well as extra-virgin-olive-oil menus. The long wine list includes local, Spanish, and international labels, and there are wine-pairing options. The place is relaxed and spacious, with fine crystal and freshly ironed linen on the tables. Booking is essential.

Run by the same family for more than 50 years and lavishly decorated in the colorful tiles that pay tribute to the neighborhood's potters, Las Golondrinas is a fixture of Triana life. The staff never change, and neither does the menu—the recipes for the punta de solomillo (sliced sirloin), chipirones (fried baby squid), and caballito de jamón (ham on bread) have been honed to perfection, and they're served as tapas (€3) or raciones (shareable portions) that keep everyone happy.

A couple of blocks west of the Cathedral lies one of the city’s best-loved tapas venues, usually jam-packed with locals enjoying an aperitif. Established in 1939 and now in its third generation, the bar is most famous for its meat dishes including the pringá sandwich (slow-cooked pork, chorizo, and black pudding in a bun) and pork cheeks. Cod also stars on the menu—try the carpaccio or crispy fried—along with a good selection of vegetable dishes such as the local spinach with chickpeas. Be sure to order a plate of the house potatoes, marinated in garlic and made by the owner every morning. There’s an excellent choice of wines, and sherry lovers are in for a treat because the list runs long. A warm welcome and service with a smile come guaranteed.

If you fancy treating yourself to some of the best fish in town, head for this modern Michelin-star restaurant just down the road from the Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija. Seasonal fish and seafood take center stage; you can see the catch of the day displayed in the window. The white-tiled venue has an open kitchen—choose barstool seating for the best view of the action. Look out for the daily specials—the marinated sardines are a must in summer—and staples such as swordfish on toast, shrimp tartare, or squid stuffed with pork or seafood. The wine list offers a good by-the-glass selection, and a tasting menu with paired wines (from €110) is also available. For a budget-friendly alternative, head for La Barra de Cañabota two doors away at number 5. Advance booking is essential.

Down a side street off the Avenida de la Constitución, this historic bar (formerly a wine store) takes you back to 19th-century Seville, and it is still run by descendants of the family that established it in 1850. Locals pack the place at lunchtime, when popular dishes include menudo con garbanzos (tripe with chickpeas) and albóndigas de choco (cuttlefish croquettes). The wine list is, as you would expect, extensive. There are two bar areas: the largest fronts the store and looks out onto the street, and the other is home to huge ceramic wine barrels and tiled walls.

True tradition (castizo itself) comes into its own at this busy venue serving regional dishes such as espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas) alongside more modern plates like the popular coliflor tostada con holandesa trufada (cauliflower cheese with truffle oil), plus daily fish specials and the rice dish of the day. The open kitchen gives you a frontline view of your meal in the making. Sit at the bar for tapas or at a table for larger dishes. Be sure to visit the domino-tiled bathroom.

Tucked away on the riverfront in Triana next to Puente del Cristo de la Expiración, this modern venue advocates local produce in traditional Andalusian recipes, showcased in a menu that changes on a weekly basis, along with a long wine list of Andalusian wines. The long narrow interior has striking wood-paneled walls with a verdant vertical garden in the middle, while outside dining takes in panoramic views of the river on the intimate terrace.

A stone’s throw from the Cathedral sits this undiscerning eatery famous for its signature tortitaco (a shrimp fritter-taco hybrid), paellas, choice of tapas, and value lunch menu (€10.50, weekdays only). The lofty ceilings and bare brick walls are functional rather than inspirational and there’s no outside terrace, but the prices, deliciousness, and friendly service more than compensate.

With a privileged spot a block north from the Cathedral, this central restaurant offers two dining spaces: the traditional inside patio, where wood, mirrors, and tasteful lighting create an intimate but airy space; or the pleasant terrace outside. The cuisine combines Andalusian dishes with a modern touch, with menu items such as bloody gazpacho, Idiázabal blue cheese risotto, and red tuna tartare. The baked cheesecake is a favorite dessert.

Founded in 1670, this lovely spot serves a classic selection of dishes, such as the pavía de bacalao (fried breaded cod), a superb salmorejo (a puree consisting of tomato and bread), and espinacas con garbanzos, all in generous portions. The views of Iglesia de Santa Catalina out the front window upstairs are unbeatable, and your bill is chalked up on the wooden counters as you go (tapas are attractively priced from €2.50). This is a big favorite with locals, so be prepared for the crowds.

With a young vibe and a vast and inventive menu (which changes seasonally), this tiny restaurant offers a welcome change from Seville's typical fried fare. The owners' haute-cuisine ambitions are reflected in excellent service and lovingly prepared food—but not in the prices. Typical dishes include omelet with sour cream, Iberian pork cheek, smoked herring roe, and rabbit ribs with garlic fries. Reservations are available for weekday lunches only; at any other time, put your name on the waiting list and pop to the Azotea bar across the road for a drink and generous tapa (€5) while you wait. La Azotea has two other venues (Calle Mateas Gago and Calle Zaragoza, both open all day, every day), but the original offers the best local vibe.

Almost within stone’s throw of the Giralda, this family-run restaurant has been making a name for itself with fresh fish dishes for over two decades. The owners hail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda downriver, and the ingredients come from their hometown and always include swordfish, sea bass, and anchovies. House specials are the sopa de galeras (garlic soup with shrimp), alcachofas con gulas (artichokes with eels), and stuffed squid. There's also a daily stew dish, usually fish-based. Eat inside at the slightly prim tables in one of the dining rooms, outside on the more informal street terrace, or perch at the bar for a tapa or two (from €3).

On the edge of the Murillo Gardens opposite the university, Oriza has an atrium-style dining room with high ceilings and wall-to-wall stained-glass windows; in warm weather, you can eat on the terrace under the orange trees. The menu combines traditional Andalusian dishes with a modern touch and includes red tuna, octopus salad, and meat dishes. The adjoining Bar España serves tapas (from €3), including fried cod and vieiras en la niebla (scallops).

Down an uninspiring side street but with a very quiet terrace with views of San Pedro Church, this bar with stool seating around high tables offers tranquil dining and, most notably, one of the best sherry menus in town. Known as an abacería (grocer’s store), it serves more than 30 finos, amontillados, and olorosos, as well as house-made vermouth on the drinks menu, and each pairs perfectly with a food choice. Allow the friendly owners to advise you on the best matches, which include tinned preserves, cold cuts and cheeses, and a choice of three daily specials, some served hot. Don’t miss the tomate de atún (tuna tomato) or the house version of ajoblanco (cold garlic soup), topped with marinated salmon chunks and fresh mango.

In the heart of Santa Cruz is one of Seville's surprises—an Italian restaurant in a 12th-century Arab bathhouse where original features such as bath vaults studded with star shapes blend with modern design and fountains provide a soothing backdrop. Specialties include a range of interesting salads, creamy cheese ravioli al pesto, and roasted leg of lamb, and there's an extensive choice of homemade desserts. Service, led by owner Angelo Ramacciotti, is excellent, and many clients are regulars.

This cozy restaurant offers an excellent selection of fish and meat dishes. It's renowned for its Almadraba tuna (traditionally hand-lined and caught in Zahara de los Atunes on the Cádiz coast) cooked any which way and always delicious. Particular highlights are the tataki and cured tuna on toast. Other must-tries include the seaweed croquettes with an oloroso sherry sauce, squid burgers with a miso sauce, and the black pudding and pine nut samosas. There’s also an excellent range of rice dishes including the house special, risotto de ortiguillas (sea anemone). Sit inside in the cozy dining room under the signature tuna lamps or outside on the shady terrace. 

If you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian and finding the meat and fish scene in Seville a bit heavy, head for this bar inside the Mercado del Arenal. It started life as Spain’s first vegan bakery in 2009, and since then the menu has grown to encompass breakfast and brunch, plus a long list of 100%-animal-free options to make into burgers, nachos, or wraps. There’s also an excellent value menu del día (€10) at lunchtime, and a choice of pastries and cakes.