Spain is one of the few countries where you can enjoy good food, and it can also be affordable if you know where to eat. Seville must be one of my favorite cities in the world for dining. I first came to Seville in 2012, at the end of a hectic 6-week interrail trip. It was July, and the temperatures were above 30 degrees. The intense heat made it difficult for me to move around the city during the day. While backpackers were having fun in the hostel's rooftop pool, I was hiding in my air-conditioned private room. I was exhausted both emotionally and physically. Drinking too much and changing locations every 2-3 days made it hard for me to see another drink. During those 3 days, I couldn't see most of the sights in Seville because the heat and fatigue had taken a toll on me. The only times I went outside were in the late afternoons and evenings to look for something to eat. Despite being tired and pleased to not have left my room, going to a tapas bar in Seville felt like divine enlightenment for me. I had eaten at great places in Barcelona and Valencia before, but the atmosphere of Seville's tapas bars was different. When I entered, I saw a magnificent arrangement of colorful plates spread out over the large bar, and people were simply pointing at what they wanted and starting to eat. I felt as if I was dining at my grandmother's house - everything I chose was delicious. There was no time to pause between plates. The small plates came quickly, and I kept eating everything that was recommended to me. Moreover, it was very affordable. Without further ado, I present to you the best affordable food in Seville!

This trip made me realize that less is more when traveling and gave me the desire to slow down. I promised myself that one day I would return to Seville and focus on just one thing - eating. It took me 7 years to fulfill this promise, but I came back and stayed here for a week; time flew by, and then the following year I came for another 2 weeks, but even that wasn't enough. Considering that there are nearly 3000 tapas bars in Seville, discovering all the magic this city has to offer might take a lifetime. However, you probably don't have a lifetime, so to narrow down the selection and make it easier for you, I wanted to share some of my favorite places with you. You can eat at all the places below over a weekend and see all the spots, but it depends on how much time you are willing to dedicate. When you eat slowly, you taste the food better and digest this city more thoroughly.

Guide to Affordable Food in Seville

1. El Arenal

We start our self-guided tour in the El Arenal neighborhood. One of the liveliest neighborhoods in Seville, El Arenal forms a triangle with Paseo de Colón on one side and Calle Adriano and Calle Dos de Mayo on the other. The prosperity of El Arenal dates back to the 16th century when Seville was a thriving trade center, with ships loaded with gold and silver arriving here. The narrow streets were filled with merchants, dockworkers, sailors, and captains, and now they are filled with century-old "abacerías" (markets) and the city's best bodegas and tapas bars.

The first stop is Mercado del Arenal. Established in 1947, this market was previously used as a monastery and then a prison, and now it is a place where locals come to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

2. Picnic Panes Artesanos

Right next to the market is Picnic Panes Artesanos. If you are looking for handmade bread, this is the place to come. They also make delicious pastries like Dulce de Leche alfajores, cinnamon rolls, apple cakes, cookies, and magdalena.

3. Casa Matias

This historic tavern, worth saving for a visit later, is one of my favorite places to enjoy a cold, affordable beer - plus, flamenco shows are held here from Tuesday to Sunday.

4. Casa Morales

In the past, when sailors and traders filled the streets of El Arenal, it was common for old abacerías - markets to also serve as bars. Very few of these remain, and one of the best examples is the historic Casa Morales, which has been quenching the thirst of locals with its cool local sherry and beers since 1850. Here, delicious tapas varieties such as albondigas (meatballs), setas (mushrooms), montaditos (small sandwiches), and anchovies in brine with cheese are served.

Consider the hidden yet beautiful Plaza del Cabildo in the heart of the city: Seville is filled with such lovely corners.

Orange Wine at Taberna Perejil

5. Orange Wine at Taberna Perejil

The sweet theme continues, visit Taberna Perejil; they serve the famous local orange wine Vino de Naranja from Moguer (a small town from Huelva) since 1904. This sweet wine can be enjoyed perfectly as an aperitif or as a dessert wine. You can easily have a few for €1.20.

6. Taste Solomillo al Whisky at Bodega Santa Cruz

Bodega Santa Cruz is another classic tapas bar that I love to return to - the tapas prices here are quite reasonable, starting at around €2. The dishes are fantastic. Try the delicious meatballs albondigas and the local classic Solomillo al Whisky (pork tenderloin in whisky sauce).

This last dish is one of the most authentic tapas you can try in the city, and it is truly delicious here.

7. Enjoy Carrillada at Antigua Abaceria de San Lorenzo

This tapas bar, one of the few remaining abacerias or bodegas in the city, is probably one of the best tapas restaurants in the city, albeit on a slightly less known path. The waiter and owner don't speak much English but are friendly and patient with my questions. We ultimately decided to try Carrillada; this is Iberian pork cheeks cooked for at least a few hours at low heat with local fino, or sherry. The result, as you can imagine, is this delicious, heavenly tender meat paired with perfectly fried potatoes.

8. El Rinconcello - The Birthplace of Tapas

Close to Iglesia de Santa Catalina and Iglesia de San Pedro, where painter Velazquez was baptized, El Rinconcello is the oldest tapas bar in Seville and Spain. It is classified as the second oldest bar in Spain after Madrid's Botín. The interiors of this venue, dating back to 1670, have not changed much in the last 300 years; the walls are adorned with traditional Andalusian tiles, and there is a famous carved wooden bar in the center. The bar is designed only for standing, and there is no seating. There are no tickets here. The waiters write your bill on the wooden bar with chalk, and then the total is calculated at the end of the session.

You can try espinacas con garbanzos, the signature dish of Seville. This dish summarizes the rich history of Seville. The Muslims were the first to bring spinach, chickpeas, and cumin to Spain, and these three are the main stars of this dish, along with smoked red pepper. Another favorite dish of mine here is bacalau, cod in tomato garlic sauce - a heavenly delight!

The wine selection here is excellent, especially with a special emphasis on Andalusian wines.

9. Casa Vizcaíno

If you are looking for a real local bar, this is the best place you can find in Seville. Ice-cold beers flow quickly here, and for about €1.20 a glass, you'll soon be out mingling with the locals and making new friends. There is also a wide range of sherry available here, along with the famous local orange wine. Drinks are served with delicious olives, and the menu features special tapas dishes like Mojama, salted tuna, caviar, and Bacalao Saladisimo - salted cod.

10. Try Local Craft Beer Like Zurda Golden Ale at La Jeronima

If you are still feeling thirsty, I highly recommend going to La Jeronima; they say here, "read our beers and you are invited to drink our books." This place, which houses a library of local publishers' publications, offers more than 30 craft beers on its menu - a true authentic slice of Seville. If the weather is warm and you're thirsty, I suggest trying the refreshing Zurda Golden Ale.

11. It's Ice Cream Time at Freskura or Heladeria Artesana La Fiorentina

We are finishing off with a bit of ice cream. Freskura, located near Alameda de Hercules, might be one of the best places in the city for ice cream: try the lemon basil sorbet (€2.50)... or just a few hundred meters from the Mercado, there is Heladeria Artesana La Fiorentina, one of Seville's best ice cream shops; here you can find many exotic and exciting flavors, many of which are unique to Seville. I recommend trying the orange blossom or "crema de Sevilla" to truly taste the sweet side of Seville.

Discover the City's Rich Culinary Culture with a Local

If this article has whetted your appetite and you want to explore more, I highly recommend trying one of Devour Sevilla's Food Tours. I have participated in tours with guides in Madrid and Barcelona - they are extremely passionate about food, energetic, and full of tips and ideas. Joining one of their tours is a great way to understand the history of the place, and at the end of the tours, they always distribute a paper containing tips about their favorite food, drinks, and sights. The emphasis of their tours is always to support the locals: no food chains or corporate firms are included, so by joining their tours, you are truly contributing to the local economy. I won't give details about the places we visited, but this food tour included everything: we ate a lot (come with an empty stomach) and the tour was filled with a lot of local history information.

Where to Find Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Seville

Seville is home to two great hostels. I love La Banda Rooftop Hostel - the staff here is amazing, the rooms are clean and comfortable, and they organize affordable and delicious rooftop dinners and music concerts featuring local musicians: a great hostel to meet travelers and enjoy life!

My other recommended hostel in Seville is the stylish TOC Hostel Sevilla. Like the hostels in Barcelona and Madrid, this hostel also has extremely stylish dorms and private rooms. Some private rooms have their own private terrace: perfect for couples. There is also a tapas restaurant inside the hostel and a free cinema that guests can reserve and use.