What to Eat in Seville: 14 Treats You Should Not Miss
Like many European countries, Spain is made up of several different regions, each with a different culture and history. And nowhere is that clearer than in the food you'll experience in the cities of Spain. While there are several common themes to traditional Spanish food, such as tapas dishes and the use of red wine, Spanish cuisine is varied and highly regional, so many traditional dishes are associated with a specific region and are tough to find anywhere else.
Seville is the capital of the autonomous region of Andalusia, and so you'll find Andalusian culture reflected in the local food available in Seville's tapas bars and restaurants. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Seville, and you'll be able to travel light as you explore the flavors of southern Spain. Whether you take an organized food tour or set out for yourself to visit the tapas bars of the city, you'll have a great time discovering Seville's traditional cuisine.
Plus, when you don't feel like visiting your hundredth tapas bar, there's more to Seville's food scene to uncover. Check out the best street food in Seville to get acquainted with the cutting edge of the city's culinary scene. Or, if you're trying to stick to a plant-based diet, the best vegetarian restaurants in Seville can help you enjoy traditional tapas and other classic Spanish food without eating meat.
Seville Food: Pork in whiskey
Known in Spanish as solomillo al whiskey, pork in whiskey is a Seville specialty you'll find on the menu of many restaurants around town. The dish consists of pork tenderloin that's been marinated in whiskey sauce and then cooked until it's melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Whiskey may not be the first ingredient you think of when it comes to Spanish cuisine, but it's a popular choice for flavoring meat in Seville. This dish is often served with fried potatoes or mashed potatoes, making it a filling meal perfect for dinner. The whiskey's strong flavors bring out the pork's richness, making for a deliciously hearty meal that's perennially popular in local cafes and restaurants.
Seville Food: Migas
Migas are a type of breadcrumb-based dish that's popular all over Spain, but Andalusian migas are some of the best. In Seville, migas are traditionally made with stale bread that's been soaked in water, then fried with garlic, olive oil, and sometimes pork fat.
The dish is typically garnished with green peppers, onions, and spices like paprika or cumin, giving it a flavorful and hearty kick. Migas are usually served as a main course for lunch or dinner, but they can also be enjoyed as a side dish or appetizer.
For vegetarians, migas can be made without the addition of pork fat, making them a delicious and hearty option for meat-free eating.
Seville Food: Bull's tail
One of the most unusual dishes you'll find in Seville (and all of Spain) is bull's tail. Yes, you read that correctly: bull's tail. This traditional Andalusian dish is made with a slow-cooked beef tail stewed with various vegetables, including garlic, onions, carrots, and green peppers. Red wine is often used to stew the meat for extra flavor, too.
The result is a rich and intensely flavorful meat that's perfect for a winter meal. While it may sound strange, bull's tail is actually quite tender and delicious. If you're feeling adventurous, give this unique dish a try when you're exploring the best restaurants in Seville. You'll find it at its best around the city's bullring, and you'll be immersing yourself in the bullfighting culture of Andalusia by trying this classic Seville food.
Seville Food: Flamenquines
These elongated croquettes aren't technically a traditional Andalusian dish, originating as they did in Córdoba. However, as is often the case, the tapas bars of Seville have put their own spin on this popular food. Take slices of jamon Iberico or Iberian ham, together with goat cheese, roll it into pork loin, dip it in breadcrumbs, and then fry it, and you'll have a flamenquina.
This deep-fried treat isn't exactly heart-healthy, but it is delicious. The name Flamenquines means Little Flemishes, and it allegedly comes from the color of the croquettes, which is supposed to resemble the light hair and skin of King Charles V's Flemish staff.
Seville Food: Spinach and chickpeas
The menus of southern Spain have more than their share of meat. In Seville, pork loin, bull's tail, and pork cheek are just about everywhere, and the tapas restaurants in the city can sometimes seem more like slaughterhouses than places to eat.
However, Spanish tapas is known for its variety, and if you're trying to eat vegetarian, see if you can track down this traditional Spanish food in a tapas bar in Seville. The dish is called espinacas con garbanzos, and it's a simple but delicious plate of spinach and chickpeas that's been cooked with garlic, olive oil, and spices.
This healthy and filling dish is the perfect option for vegetarians who want to enjoy the tapas experience without all the meat. And it's a great way to get your greens while you're indulging in some of the best food Seville has to offer.
Seville Food: Pescaito frito
No trip to Seville would be complete without trying pescaito frito, which literally means fried fish. This dish is popular all along the Andalusian coast, but it's especially beloved in Seville, where fresh seafood from the nearby Atlantic and Mediterranean seas is plentiful.
Pescaito frito usually consists of a variety of small fried fish, including anchovies, sardines, and squid. The fish is typically dredged in flour or batter and then fried until it's crispy and golden brown. It's often served with a side of potatoes, making it a hearty and filling meal.
If you're not a fan of fried food, you can also find pescaito frito that's been grilled or baked. Either way, this dish is a must-try when you're in Seville.
Seville Food: Gambas al pil pil
Gambas al pil pil is another classic Andalusian dish that's popular in Seville. This dish consists of shrimp that's been cooked in a garlic and chili pepper sauce. The shrimp is then simmered in olive oil until it's tender and infused with flavor.
Gambas al pil pil is typically served with a crusty piece of bread for sopping up the delicious sauce. It's a simple but incredibly tasty dish that's perfect for sharing with friends over drinks. If you're looking for something to nosh on before your main meal, this is a great option.
Seville Food: Chorizo a la plancha
Chorizo is a type of Spanish sausage that's made with pork, paprika, and other spices. It's typically cured, meaning it doesn't need to be cooked before eating. Chorizo a la plancha is a dish that consists of grilled chorizo.
The sausage is cooked over a hot flame until it's slightly charred on the outside and juicy on the inside. It's often served with a side of bread or potatoes, so it's definitely filling. If you're looking for something to snack on, order a few slices of chorizo a la plancha as an appetizer (without the bread and potatoes).
Seville Food: Pork cheek
As we mentioned, Seville is a city that loves its meat. Pork cheek is a type of pork that's often used in Spanish cooking. It's a flavorful and inexpensive cut of meat that's perfect for braising or stewing.
Pork cheek is often cooked in a sauce or gravy, making it a rich and hearty dish. It's typically served with potatoes or rice for a complete meal. If you're looking for something to warm you up on a cold day, this is the perfect dish.
The people of Seville really believe in nose-to-tail eating, and no part of an animal goes to waste in the traditional cuisine on offer here.
Seville Food: Stewed meat
Stewed meat dishes are especially popular in Seville, and one of the most common is olla podrida. This dish consists of a variety of stewed meats, including pork, beef, and chicken. It's often cooked with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions to turn it into a complete meal.
If you're looking for something to eat on a cold day, olla podrida is the perfect dish. It's warm, comforting, and will fill you up without weighing you down.
Seville Food: Churros
It wouldn't be accurate to claim churros as a traditional Andalusian food. The origin of this deep-fried treat is lost to history, but it is known that they have been popular in Spain since the 16th century.
Churros are long, thin pieces of fried dough that are coated in sugar or cinnamon. They're often served with a thick dipping sauce made from chocolate. Churros are the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
If you're looking for something sweet to snack on, churros are a delicious option. They also make a great breakfast served with coffee that will keep you fueled up while you explore the city.
Seville Food: Torrijas
Torrijas are a type of Spanish bread pudding that's popular around Easter time. This dish is made by soaking slices of bread in milk and then coating them in egg before frying them. The result is a crispy, sweet, and decadent treat.
Torrijas are often served with a drizzle of honey or syrup, making them even more indulgent. If you're looking for a dessert to share with friends, torrijas are a great option.
Seville Food: Montadito de Pringa
This dish is a Seville classic, and it's perfect for enjoying as a snack or light meal. Montadito de pringa is a type of sandwich made with a crusty roll filled with pork, chorizo, and salami. It's then topped with cheese and grilled until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
This sandwich is hearty and filling but not so heavy that you'll be weighed down. It's the perfect option if you're looking for something to eat on the go. Yes, it's another meat-heavy option in this highly carnivorous city. But if you're not a vegetarian, it's definitely worth trying this classic local food.
Seville Food: Tortitas de Aceite
Tortitas de aceite are a type of fried dough that's popular in Seville. They're made with a type of unleavened bread dough that's fried in olive oil. Tortitas de aceite are often served with honey or sugar, making them a sweet and delicious treat.
If you need a quick snack, tortitas de aceite are a great option. They're perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea. And if you have a sweet tooth, you'll definitely want to try one (or two).
Conclusion
Andalusian cuisine reflects the topography and traditions of this fiercely independent region. And as the capital of Andalusia, Seville is the best place to dive into this unique part of Spain.
You'll find meat on the menu everywhere you go, whether it's a hearty stew of bull's tail or a slice of serrano ham. But as well as having its own traditional cuisine, Seville is open to influences from outside, and the ubiquitous tapas bars usually have options for vegetarians too.
Visit Seville, and you'll be able to dive into this fascinating culture and explore through your stomach. At the same time, the city is also blessed with some incredible natural surroundings, and you can burn off the calories you consumed by trying some of the best hikes in Seville.
However you choose to enjoy your holiday, you'll have a great time getting to know Seville a little better. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage and get acquainted with one of Spain's most fascinating cities.
