Food in Seville: 10 Tapas to Order First

Figuring out the food in Seville is one of the best parts of any trip here, but it can also be one of the most overwhelming. Menus are in Spanish, everything looks good, and if you don’t know what you’re looking at, it’s easy to waste a meal on the wrong thing.

Tapas in Seville are the answer. They’re not a specific dish or food group. They’re shareable little plates that have you trying all the best bits of Seville’s cuisine without committing to the size or price of a full dish.

I’ve been eating my way around the city since arriving, and these are the 10 traditional tapas I’d tell any first-timer to order. Some are safe starting points. Some will push you. All of them are worth it.

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Best Food to Try in Seville: Quick Answer

Short and sweet, here are the 10 dishes I definitely recommend trying while you’re visiting Seville:

1. Croquetas: my favorite since coming here, crispy bites with a creamy filling
2. Jamón ibérico: Spanish ham, thinly sliced
3. Patatas bravas: simple, lightly fried potatoes with a creamy, flavorful sauce
4. Flamenquín: pork loin wrapped with Serrano ham and cheese, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried 
5. Espinacas con garbanzos: not the best-looking, but ¡delicioso! Spinach and chickpeas, a very traditional Seville dish
6. Tortilla española: picky eater friendly; an egg and potato omelet 
7. Carrillada: pork cheek, slow-cooked until tender
8. Salmorejo: cold tomato soup with egg and ham on top
9. Montaditos: mini open-faced sandwiches with different fillings, typically ham, cheese, and tomato
10. Pescaíto frito: seafood or fried fish, an Andalusian traditional dish

If you only have one tapas meal in Seville, I’d order croquetas, espinacas con garbanzos, carrillada, and salmorejo so you get a mix of safe, traditional, rich, and refreshing dishes.

And if you’re still not sure what to try, join an organized tapas tour with a local guide to talk you through everything.  

Ready to Try Some Local Food in Seville?

There are over 3,000 tapas bars in Seville; each has a totally different menu, but the good thing is, you’ll also see a lot of the same things over and over.

I’ve grouped these by how easy they are to order, so you can start with the familiar ones before working your way into the more traditional Seville dishes. 

Simple Tapas in Seville to Start With

If this is your first tapas experience, start with what you know. 

Even if these are ingredients you recognize, they’re almost never prepared the way you’d expect at home.

If you’re nervous about ordering tapas, start with croquetas, tortilla española, or patatas bravas. They’re familiar enough that you won’t feel lost, but still very typical of eating tapas in Seville. 

1. Jamón Ibérico

Probably the most famous tapa, you’ll find Jamón ibérico on every menu in the city. It’s prepared simply, with no sauce, because its flavor speaks for itself. 

Thinly sliced, served as-is. A great first order.

I’d order this early in the meal with a drink, not as the main event, because it’s more of a slow-snack tapa than something filling.

2. Croquetas

Easily my favorite tapa. 

Croquetas are slightly crispy on the outside while the inside is soft and creamy, typically filled with mushrooms, ham, or simply cheese. 

You can find these worldwide, so they’re not out of your comfort zone, but the ones here are something else.

3. Tortilla Española

A simple and safe option. Tortilla española is usually just two ingredients: eggs and potatoes, sometimes with, sometimes without onions. 

This is also one of the easiest dishes to order if you’re overwhelmed by a Spanish menu because you usually know exactly what you’re getting. 

Familiar, filling, and friendly for picky eaters.

4. Patatas Bravas

Lightly fried potatoes with a “spicy sauce.” 

One thing to know: Andalusian dishes tend to have less heat than you’d expect, so think of it more as spices rather than spicy. 

A crowd-pleaser. Order it without thinking.

Traditional Food in Seville Worth Knowing

These are not the most popular dishes for tourists. These are what locals actually eat, and they’re worth stepping outside your comfort zone for. 

They’ve been my favorites for making me feel like a local.

5. Espinacas con Garbanzos

Although not the most visually appealing, this dish made from spinach and chickpeas is one of the most traditional dishes in Seville and is very commonly found here. 

It has so much flavor for how simple it looks. A great lighter vegetarian option, and one that surprised me the first time I ordered it.

Although you can eat it all year round, it’s a warming and comforting dish if you’re visiting Seville in winter.

6. Salmorejo

This cold tomato soup is a traditional Andalusian classic. 

It’s familiar because of gazpacho, but creamier and slightly heavier. Very nice on a hot day when you need something cold. 

It sometimes comes with chopped egg and jamón (ham) on top.

This is the polar opposite of the espinacas con garbanzos I just mentioned, and it’s a light and refreshing tapa that tastes best when ordered during the hot Seville summer months.

7. Montaditos

These are the perfect option when you want something quick to eat and easy on the wallet.

Culturally, in Spain, it is not typical to walk and eat, so it’s a quick and handy snack.

This mini tapa can be served either open-faced or sandwiched, with different toppings. The most common fillings are ham, cheese, and tomato, but they vary by bar.

Richer Tapas to Try in Seville

8. Carrillada

If you’re a meat lover, carrillada needs to be on the table. 

This is pork cheek, slowly cooked and very tender, sometimes served with a rich sauce. 

There are two times I’ve had this: one with sauce, one without. Both versions are worth trying.

9. Pescaíto Frito

For our seafood lovers, pescaíto frito is a must-order. 

Perfectly crispy fried seafood, very popular, and locals will tell you this is as Andalusian as it gets. 

Depending on where you go, you could get fried fish, calamari, shrimp, or a mix of all three.

I’d save this for a place that feels busy and local, since fried seafood is best when it’s coming out fresh instead of sitting around.

10. Flamenquín

The flamenquín is the heaviest and crispest fried dish on this list. 

It’s usually made with pork loin wrapped around Serrano ham and cheese, then coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. It’s very satisfying, rich, and a good one to order if you’re looking for a more filling tapa.

Vegetarian Tapas Options in Seville

Seville’s tapas scene leans heavily on ham, pork, and seafood

It can feel a bit limiting for a vegetarian in Seville, but you can find some great options if you know what to look for.

Here are the best vegetarian tapas:

Spanish	What it is
Espinacas con garbanzos	Spinach and chickpeas, one of the most traditional vegetarian tapas in Seville
Tortilla española	Spanish omelet made with eggs and potatoes, sometimes with onion
Patatas bravas	Fried potatoes served with a spiced tomato or creamy sauce
Salmorejo	Cold tomato soup, usually topped with egg and jamón, so ask for it sin jamón
Gazpacho	Cold tomato-based vegetable soup, especially common in warmer months
Pimientos de padrón	Small fried green peppers, usually served with salt
Berenjenas fritas	Fried eggplant, often served with honey or molasses
Queso manchego	Spanish sheep’s milk cheese, usually served sliced

Just double-check before ordering, since even vegetable-based tapas in Seville can sometimes come with jamón, tuna, or meat stock. Ask for it sin carne or sin jamón if you’re unsure. 

Tips for Eating Tapas in Seville

If you’re still figuring out what to eat in Seville and how it all works, here are a few things that’ll make ordering much easier:

• Check opening hours. Seville takes siesta seriously. Many bars close between lunch and dinner, so always check Google Maps before you plan your timing.
• Eat on local time. Lunch is later and happens around 2 pm, but it’s not unusual for locals to eat at 3 or 4 pm, and that’s still considered lunch. If you’re going for tapas dinner, don’t expect restaurants to open until 8 pm or later.
• Order 2 tapas per person and go from there. That’s worked best for me. Four people, 2 tapas each: 8 dishes for the table. You can always order more.
• If a waiter is calling you in from the street or holding out a picture menu, keep walking. It’s usually a sign the place is geared toward tourists.
• Best neighborhoods for classic tapas: Triana, Alfalfa, and Santa Cruz. I’m currently based in Triana and finding great places at reasonable prices right here.

Food in Seville FAQs

Ready to Explore More Food in Seville?

These 10 tapas are the best starting point for eating well in Seville. Start with the familiar ones, then push yourself toward the dishes locals actually order.

Personally, espinacas con garbanzos is the one I’d tell anyone to try first, even if it sounds like the least exciting thing on the list.

If you want to go deeper, use this as your starting Seville food guide and then keep exploring.

Once you know what to order, the next step is figuring out where to eat it. These guides will help you plan the rest of your Seville food itinerary. 

• Seville’s best food markets
• Best tapas and flamenco food tour
• Where to eat breakfast in Seville