The Complete Guide to Eating Alone in Seville: Tips and Recommended Places

After a long day exploring from the riverbanks to the peacocks in the Alcázar, you’re starving. But how do you go out to eat alone in a city famous for “shared plates”?

Whether you’re an independent traveler or have just moved to the city, the thought of eating alone in Seville might cause you to swap those tasty tapas for room service and an early night.

But fear not! Eating alone need never be lonely in Seville’s vibrant bars and restaurants. Here are our top insider tips to cure you of those solo dining dreads.

SEE ALSO: 7 Must-Dos for a Solo Traveler in Seville

This guide to eating alone in Seville is a must read for solo travelers.

1. Head to Bite-Size Bars

Jump over the first solo-eating hurdle by starting small. Take yourself on a lunchtime tapas tour around Seville’s smaller bars that are simply built with a table for one in mind! This is a great way to avoid tackling big, busy restaurants by yourself.

Simple and far from overwhelming, La Bodeguita Fabiola is a fab find for a quick bite and a refreshing caña in Seville’s beautiful historic center. Then pop around the corner to La Bodega Santa Cruz, an absolute favorite with the locals!

Tapas, like spinach and chickpeas, are perfect bites for eating alone in Seville. — Tapas bars are social places by nature, but small bites like spinach and chickpeas are perfect for solo diners.

2. Think Little and Often

All solo adventurers need to take a break from exploring, and the Spanish meal timetable is the perfect solution. The secret: eat little and often (and yes, going out for tapas in Seville is a big part of that).

Those who don’t want to sit down to a big meal alone can do it like the locals and have mini meals throughout their busy day! Sevillanos usually have six small meals: a light breakfast first thing in the morning, another morning meal around 10:30, lunch at 2 p.m., snacks at 5 p.m., a small aperitif and finally dinner at 10 p.m. Follow this general schedule, and you’ll be well on your way to eating like a local in Seville.

When it comes to eating gluten free in Seville, Bar Alfalfa is one of our favorites. — A light breakfast, like a *tostada*, is the perfect way to kick off a Spanish-style day of dining: several smaller meals, eaten every few hours.

3. Know What to Pack

The Alameda de Hercules is a pedestrianized strip of bustling bars and cafes, and the perfect place to eat outside and people watch. You’ll soon notice just how many others have taken themselves out for a solo meal.

If you’re feeling a little self-conscious, bag a book, diary or phone to keep you busy. The café El Viajero Sedentario is a peaceful book-lover’s dream, and if you forget yours you can borrow one from their extensive collection!

Not sure where to stay in Seville with kids? The spacious Alameda de Hércules makes for a great home base, and even has a playground! — Wide open spaces with plenty of traditional urban charm make the Alameda a must in Seville. Photo credit: Cinthia Bravo

4. Book Ahead

Seville offers a great range of dining options from budget eats to upmarket restaurants. Take a stroll through the city to see what they have to offer so you can plan where you’d like to go later.

The first time you eat out alone can be scary, so soothe those solo-dining nerves and avoid surprises by booking ahead and checking out the menu online first. Either way, you won’t be going home disappointed! Perro Viejo is a great find and has an easy-to-follow way to book online.

5. Let Seville keep you company!

Here in Seville, eating alone doesn’t mean feeling lonely. After testing out a few Spanish phrases, you’ll soon experience that warm welcome that sevillanos are famous for!

While the quality of its signature beer Cruzcampo is hotly debated, Seville is a central hub of spectacular wines. Take yourself for a cheeky glass and ease yourself into the evening like a local. Start with some trademark orange wine at the bar that made it famous, Alvaro Peregil, or sample some sherry at Casa Morales (Garcia de Vinuesa, 3), and let your Spanish phrases flow! What better excuse is there?

Eating out alone means very little when you’re out exploring the bustling streets of Seville, where every nook and cranny is crammed with happy diners. So get stuck in, book that table for one and be a part of it!

We all can do our part to help practice responsible travel in Seville. Spend as much money as possible at local restaurants and bars rather than chains, for example. — The social nature of Seville’s tapas bars means you’ll never feel alone for long!

Bonus Tip: Take a Food Tour!

Solo travelers are some of our favorite people here at Devour Seville. After all, anyone who’s curious about a new city and its food is our kind of person!

Join us and a small group of fellow curious foodies on one of our award-winning food and tapas tours on your solo trip to Seville. We’ll show you everything you need to know about navigating the city’s famously social dining scene, and by the end of your experience, you’ll be ready to tackle even the most crowded tapas bar on your own.