Food, that great little pleasure of life! This becomes ever truer if you are in Seville.

If you come to this city there are some “musts” that you must comply with, since Sevillian gastronomy is part of the essence of the city. Seville must be enjoyed with all five senses.

Meal times

If you come from abroad, you should know that the eating times for eating in Spain are later than in the rest of the world.

• Breakfast is usually taken between 8:00 and 10:00, although the cafeterias still provide breakfast until 11:00.

• Lunch is the most important meal of the day. The hours are between 14:00 and 15:30, but if your body isn’t adapted yet and you want to have lunch earlier, don’t worry, because the bars´ kitchens will be open.

• Dinner is also eaten late, usually between 21:00 and 22:30. Again, you’ll find deals early if you don’t want to wait for dinner at that time.

However, the best thing to do is to take advice from the locals and adapt to local times. No one can turn down some tapas with a beer at 12:00 enjoying the sun!

Andalusian breakfast

In Andalusia, a “savoury” breakfast is served. Traditionally, it´s made up of coffee -latte, espresso etc- and toast (not with sliced bread but normally a bread roll!), which can be half (media) -only one part of the bread-, or a whole (entera) –the whole roll-.

Normally Andalusian people would have it with olive oil, tomato and ham; although it is also commonly ordered with butter or pate.

Forget about breakfast with eggs and bacon or sweets and have a typical Andalusian breakfast in a traditional Sevillian bar. It is also traditional to accompany it with fresh orange juice. You will start the day with energy.

Beer and tapas

At 12:00 it is considered to be “beer time”, so take a break from tourism and head to any bar to have “a very cold beer” accompanied by a good tapa. You will see many Sevillians enjoying a beer or a wine on the bars’ sunny terraces, perhaps having a tapa of salad or seasoned potatoes.

Tapas is a common thing in Seville and in Andalusia. They are small amounts of food that can be eaten both in bars and in most restaurants. You can find everything from the most traditional to the most modern and innovative, so don’t miss out everything that Seville has to offer!

But tapas is not just the food you try, it is a way of life. Beer and tapas time is a time to socialize, enjoy the sun, the food and the atmosphere. Try taking a break in Plaza del Salvador or in Tremendo bar.

Restaurants

Usually in Seville you eat tapas. That is why in the vast majority of restaurants you will find this offered on the menu, although I recommend that you take a look at the menu at the door before sitting down.

Restaurants are usually more crowded on weekends, which is when many Sevilians eat out.

The variety of restaurants in Seville is huge, so you will definitely find one that you like. The prices are usually more expensive than in bars, but they tend to be around € 15 – € 20 per person.

Markets

Another option that you cannot miss is going to one of the city markets.

In them, apart from food stalls you can try traditional Sevillian food, international food, craft beers and stalls such as rice, oyster, cheese, etc., and all within a unique and historical space.

Of course, try to go before the stalls close -15:00-, so you don’t miss a thing!

Images source: 18 – 23 (section 1)