La Azotea

La Azotea is one of the most popular dining spots in Seville; so much so that the original one in San Lorenzo soon needed to branch out and open three more venues across the city. They all have in common their modern décor and fresh, friendly service as well as, of course, the quality of the food they prepare – always giving special attention to the presentation of the dishes. The menu evolves with the changing of the seasons, always using the best ingredients of the time and offering a generous selection of dishes which make the most of the rich variety of local flavors with just a touch of creative flair.

El Rinconcillo

A quintessentially Sevillan tavern dating back to 1670, El Rinconcillo features a restaurant alongside its own acclaimed tapas bar. Moorish influences surface in the interior décor, infusing the atmosphere with a distinctive vibe, completed by wooden cupboards filled with wine bottles and legs of jamón Iberico hanging from the ceiling. Revolving around old Andalusian-Mozarabic cooking, the menu preserves the ancient local cuisine as a precious legacy; most of the recipes come from old books that El Rinconcillo found throughout the years.

Eslava

Sitting on the left bank of the Guadalquivir River, the Barrio San Lorenzo is enclosed in Seville’s Casco Antiguo and is home to Eslava restaurant and tapas bar. A modern ambiance decorated with minimalist elegance, Eslava’s philosophy rotates around a creative elaboration of traditional Andalusian gastronomy, as a way to promote local culture through food. Using seasonal vegetables grown in the restaurant’s own organic garden, the menu’s strength lies in the freshness of the ingredients that go into dishes like lamb leg with rosemary honey, currants and pine nuts, or the clams with spinach.

Albarama

Located on the charming Plaza de San Francisco, with its fragrant orange trees, Albarama is the perfect spot to soak up the local atmosphere. Here you will truly get a taste of modern Seville, where classic tapas are given a modern makeover and an air of fine dinning. Inside the restaurant, the décor is equally contemporary, a combination of suffused lights, minimalist lines and plant pots hanging from the ceiling, that are a far cry from the rusticity of traditional tapas bars. This is a popular eatery and reservations are a must, especially if you want to sit outside on the terrace.

conTenedor

Located in the alternative neighborhood of La Alameda, conTenedor is an upscale restaurant which prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients – boxes of fresh produce from the market are visible on the counter – while the menu is written out daily on a blackboard. Not a place for tapas, the name of the restaurant itself means ‘with a fork’ and is a clear indication that this is not a place for finger food. Decorated in an unconventionally stylish manner, the artistic vibe of the locale is complemented by a permanent exhibition of murals by local artist Ricardo Llinares.

Dos de Mayo

Sitting on a large square in the Casco Antiguo, Bodegas Dos de Mayo has functioned as a tavern since the early 20th century and expanded over the decades to become one of the most renowned tapas spots in Seville. Lively, sometimes verging on mad, this is a place where locals and travelers alike come to enjoy traditional tapas served with character and flair. The portions can be generous so be sure to pace yourself when ordering and don’t be afraid of being assertive if you know what you want. The traditional décor is reminiscent of times gone by and maintains all the original charm of the building.

 La Brunilda

This family-run tapas restaurant has a reputation for fresh, home-made tapas dishes inspired by the gastronomic heritage of the area, but not scared of using a little creativity when it comes to combining the old and the new. The presentation of the food at La Brunilda is modern and with a hint of sophistication – but not one meant to detract from what really matters: the rich flavors and careful execution of the dishes. Tucked away behind a bright blue door, this is a popular eatery that soon gets busy so be sure to book ahead.

Mechela Restaurante

This intimate restaurant has very limited seating and reservations are a must, but it’s certainly worth making the visit to try the food at this popular eatery. Traditional recipes and local ingredients are given a breath of fresh air with creative twists which propels the local cuisine into the 21st century. The menu has plenty to choose from, including a few vegetarian dishes – something you’ll be hard pressed to find in most traditional restaurants. The service is friendly and relaxed while the atmosphere is always pleasantly buzzing with the chit-chat of happy diners.

Abantal

A Michelin-starred restaurant run by chef Julio Fernández Quintero, the innovative Abantal has established a name for itself in Seville by using the freshest ingredients to make traditional recipes from Andalusian history. The contemporary design of the venue extends from the decoration of the interiors, to even the smallest details such as the tablecloths. Strong on both meat and fish mains, the tempting options at the restaurant range from cod confit with tomato sauce and stuffed tomatoes, to suckling pig with dressed white cabbage and poached egg, all to be accompanied by one of the many fine wines on Abantal’s list.

Sol y Sombra

Opened in 1961, Sol y Sombra is housed in an old building just across the river from the historical center. Its indoor hall is covered wall-to-ceiling with old posters of bullfighting calendars and the restaurant’s atmosphere exudes local tradition and culture, including lanterns and green wooden chairs decorated with typical Andalusian patterns. Both a restaurant and a tapas bar, Sol y Sombra offers a rich and varied menu of dishes rooted in the local cuisine, such as a variety of cheese platters, stews, fried dishes, meat and fish mains, among which the chipirones rellenos en su tinta (stuffed squid with squid ink) is one of many tempting options.

As seen in www.theculturetrip.com