9 Oldest Tapas Bars in Seville: Historic Spots You Can’t Miss

 

Historic bars in Seville abound, as Seville is a city with an amazingly complex and interesting history. It’s not just the historical recounts and architecture that tell the story of Seville.

Apart from a number of fascinating history tours, there are also some historic bars in Seville that are definitely worth a visit (or more). Each one gives us a fantastic insight into the history of the city.

There’s the bar that, once upon a time, had a winery on site. Then, the bar that was the first place to introduce a special and well-loved wine to Seville. Also, there’s the bar with a special claim to fame. Here are 9 historic bars in Seville that you won’t want to miss in your next visit to the city.

El Rinconcillo

Let’s start with the most iconic of all the historic bars in Seville, a little bar on the outskirts of the center called El Rinconcillo. Yes, El Rinconcillo is no longer a well-kept secret. Every guidebook recommends a visit to this bar. But this place is a Seville institution, and for good reason. Its claim to fame is that it’s the oldest bar in Seville, dating back to 1670.

Once inside the bar, it feels like things haven’t changed for decades. Gruff but friendly waiters, bow-tied and waist-coated, race around, serving the crowds. Dusty bottles of wine decorate the walls, jamón dangles from the ceiling, and your bill will appear on the bar top in chalk.

So, get yourself a glass of manzanilla sherry, snack on a tapa of Iberian ham, lean up against the bar, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Casa Ricardo

We love Casa Ricardo, a little spot hidden in the back streets near the Alameda. This place opened in 1898 and, although it went through some refurbishments over the years, still retains an old-school atmosphere. Its walls are lined with religious images, mixing bar culture and religion in a way that only Seville knows how.

There is no menu, so the waiters explain to you the plates of the day. You can expect to find typical Andalusian favorites such as solomillo al whisky (pork loin with whiskey sauce) and carrilladas (pork cheeks).

If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with the freshly cut slices of jamón ibérico.

Casa Morales

This little family run bar was founded in 1850, and this great stop to enjoy some delicious wine could possibly be the second oldest bar in Seville. Going in here is a little like walking into a time warp—albeit one with delicious food.

They are famous for their montaditos, with almost every option on the menu coming as a tapa, or montadito (on top of bread).

The front room has the timeless atmosphere of a local bar. In the back room, you will find tables and chairs, as well as old concrete wine vats that previously stored the wine. An homage to this room’s former use as the winery. Of course, Casa Morales is a stop on our Tapas, Taverns,  and History tour. 

Learn more about the great selection of tapas in Casa Morales with this great video from local expert Cyra.

Álvaro Peregil La Goleta

This hole in the wall bar, La Goleta (C. Mateos Gago, 22, Casco Antiguo), was originally opened as a wine store in 1904 by the grandfather of the current owner, none other than Álvaro himself.

This bar was the first bar to introduce to the city vino de naranja–a sweet fortified wine produced in the nearby province of Huelva.

You’ll see the walls full of pictures and quirky decoration, from the boar’s head wearing glasses (which apparently has no symbolic meaning) to the sign reading “Prohibido el cante” (singing is prohibited), which has several different stories about the meaning behind it.

The vino de naranja, which is still sold by the jugful in the bar, the history and the friendly and passionate owner make this place an essential stop in the Santa Cruz neighborhood.

Easily one of our favorite historic bars in Seville, so much so that we visit it on our Tapas, Taverns,  and History tour.

Bodeguita Romero

Bodeguita Romero, in the Arenal neighborhood, is another favorite of ours for the great food, friendly service, and the authentic atmosphere of the historic bars in Seville.

This bar dates back to 1939, when they were originally located in the old Mercado de Encarnación. Later, they moved to their current spot in El Arenal, where it still remains, run by the family.

They have a great menu with high-quality tapas, although they are particularly well-known for their pringá sandwich, a local specialty in Seville. We also love their montadito with smoked sardine and mojo verde (green spicy sauce).

Casa Moreno

Abacerías are stores that also sell simple tapas made from cold produce. These include conserved goods, cured meat, and cheeses, that are all available for purchase in the store. This is an old concept that has grown in recent years in Seville, with new abacerías popping up around the city, but Casa Moreno is the oldest one still in existence in Seville.

This tiny little joint could, at first, seem intimidating to an outsider, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a welcoming little spot with great service, great food, and a unique experience.

Casa Román

This family run restaurant in the heart of Santa Cruz began, as many other long standing historic bars in Seville did, as a shop selling groceries, with an added a back room bar for patrons to sample the wine and chacinas ibéricas (Spanish charcuterie) on sale.

Over time, Casa Román abandoned the grocery store and converted into the well respected restaurant you see today. 

Renowned for the impeccable quality of their food and their unwavering professionalism, Casa Román is a must try on your Sevilla trip. Situated in a small plaza next to the Hospital de los Venerables, it is the perfect spot to stop off as you wander around the maze of streets in the Santa Cruz district.

Casa Cuesta

When thinking about historic locations, we cannot forget about Seville’s sister across the river, Triana. Casa Cuesta, in the heart of Triana, has been serving customers since 1880.

If a taste of history is what you are looking for, this is the bar for you. Many of the dishes on offer remain true to their traditional origins. They are based on the original written recipes of the 1920s, modernised slightly to appeal to the palates of today, but retaining the flavors of the originals.

Entering the bar is like taking a stroll in the past. The interior is largely unchanged, the intricately carved bar is still there, with the wall tiles that Triana is famous for, along with posters of events long past.

Hosteleria del Laurel

A few doors down from Casa Roman, in Plaza de los Venerables, we have another Seville institution, Hosteria de Laurel. Founded in 1869, they must be doing something right to stay in business for so long.

Known for its mouthwatering traditional Spanish food, with the best ingredients sourced from all over Spain. Their seafood is sourced from the coasts of Huelva and Cadiz, Seville’s neighboring provinces. They also pride themselves on their exquisite wine list, you will find something for all tastes here. 

Most will want to take advantage of their outside terrance to soak in the sun and watch the world go by, the interior matches the age of the place. The bar celebrates the tile-making traditions of Seville, while the walls are a monument to traditional decor, with bulls heads from the corridas, and deer and goats from the mountains, this is a quintessential Andalusian look. 

Update Notice: This post was updated on August 13, 2024.