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One of the best ways to get to know Seville is through its food. With influences from North Africa, the Mediterranean and traditional Spanish cuisine, taking a Seville food tour is the perfect way to dive deep into this culinary world, and to experience the city through its delicious and authentic dishes. Read about my experience with Devour Tours, and what to look out for when booking a food tour in Seville in this post.
In the first post I wrote about Seville on this blog, I referenced how there were a lot of cities I’ve been to that I’ve loved, but how Seville was a city in which I could live.
Sevilla called softly to me ever since, and so, as my first port of call on a year-long digital nomad experience, I did just that. Excitedly, I arrived in Seville with a tad too much luggage to spend an extended period of 2 months fully immersing myself in the city.
If you’ve been to Seville before, it’s impossible to miss how much the food culture of the city lends itself to the atmosphere.
It wraps itself around the vividly painted buildings of Seville and draws its citizens to spill onto the pavements, where they congregate around high-top tables and natter vivaciously with friends and family.
It’s a fantastic culture and one that I wanted to experience myself fully. And so, with that in mind, I thought the best thing to do was to learn about the food and gastronomic traditions of Seville so that I could get the most out of my foodie experience while in the city.
To that end, I set about finding the best food tour to fit the bill and I landed on this one from Devour Tours.
In this post, I’ll briefly take you through an overview of the food in Seville, why you should take a food tour to discover what to eat and where, what to keep in mind when choosing a food tour in Seville, and why Devour Tours was my choice for the best food tour in Seville.
Seville food tour Snapshot
Tour reviewed in this post: Tastes, Tapas & Traditions of Seville
Duration: 4 hours
Other tours to consider:
Seville Tapas, Taverns & History Tour
Seville Tapas & Flamenco Tour
The culinary landscape in Seville
Wherever you move through the city, the aromas of Seville’s vibrant culinary landscape waft through the air, beckoning curious foodies over thresholds and into dimly lit establishments.
From the sweet aroma of churros and hot chocolate in the morning to the sizzling sounds of grilling meats and vegetables in the evening, the city’s food scene is a vibrant and eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary cuisine.
Does Seville have good food
Not only is the food in Seville good, but I’d go so far as saying that is a gastronomic delight, where each bite reveals a rich and vibrant world of flavours and where the style in which the majority of food is served (as tapas), means that you can sample a whole range of dishes in one sitting.
From its traditional tapas to its contemporary cuisine, inspired by the city’s rich history and diverse cultural influences, the city’s culinary landscape is a celebration of the senses, where every dish is a small masterpiece, carefully crafted to bring together the best of Seville’s local ingredients and time-honoured recipes.
Sometimes this is put together with a delightfully delicate presentation and other times, its prettiness wouldn’t win any awards – but at any good establishment the taste of the dishes takes centre stage and this aspect is typically executed with aplomb, even if its presentation may be lacking.
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What food is Seville famous for
Seville is renowned for its rich and diverse cuisine, which draws upon the best local ingredients and time-honoured recipes to create some truly delicious dishes.
As the tapas capital of the world and home to around 3,000 tapas bars, the city is naturally renowned for its diverse range of tapas offerings, from classic dishes like patatas bravas and salmorejo to more innovative creations that are being churned out at its newer restaurants, such as the excellent Eslava in San Lorenzo.
You can expect pork to feature heavily on menus, whether served on its own in the form of Iberico ham, sandwiched between two sliced of bread, or doused in some delectable type of sauce.
The city’s seafood is also a standout, with dishes like fried fish, shrimp and tuna being local favourites.
The cuisine of Seville is also heavily influenced by its Moorish past, with ingredients like almonds, saffron, and honey appearing frequently in dishes. Additionally, Seville has a strong association with the New World during the Age of Discoveries.
It resulted in the introduction of ingredients like chocolate, vanilla, and peppers to the city’s culinary landscape.
What should you eat in Seville
If you want to try some typical dishes and are wondering what to eat in Seville, here are some pointers.
- Iberico Ham – This cured ham made from Iberico pigs is a staple in the cuisine of Seville. It comes with a variety of ‘labels’ which correlate to the quality (and therefore price).
- Pork in Whiskey Sauce – This rich and flavorful dish is made from yummy pork that is slathered in a delicious whiskey sauce that also includes olive oil and garlic.
- Carillada – This hearty dish is made from braised pork or beef cheek in a rich sauce. It’s often served with mashed potatoes or chips and is the perfect comfort food.
- Salmorejo – This chilled soup made from tomatoes, bread, garlic, and olive oil is a refreshing summertime dish. Sometimes it’s topped with ham.
- Churros – These long, deep-fried doughnuts are often served with a cup of hot chocolate for dipping, or simply sprinkled with some sugar. They are deliciously dangerous.
- Chickpea and spinach – This vegetarian dish is a hearty and flavorful mix of chickpeas, spinach and spices.
- Seafood – Fresh seafood is a staple in Seville, with dishes like marinated and deep-fried fish, grilled sardines and shrimp with garlic. Tuna features regularly too.
- Bull’s tail – This traditional dish is made from slow-cooked beef tail in a rich sauce. It’s really tasty.
- Croquettes – These bite-sized treats are filled with creamy béchamel sauce and ham or seafood. They make the perfect snack or appetizer.
The above is a good guide to follow, but without understanding how these dishes are put together, what good quality ingredients look like and what constitutes a good eatery to try these in, you could easily find yourself in a tourist trap eating sub-par tapas. That’s where taking a food tour comes in.
The benefits of taking a Seville food tour
Discovering the gastronomic offerings of Seville is a task of immense pleasure and nuance – and also one that can be a challenge for even the most seasoned foodie. With an abundance of dining options, tapas hotspots, and bustling markets, it can be difficult to know where to begin your gastronomic adventure.
To embark on this journey alone is to miss the intricate details and stories that are woven into each dish and a Seville food tour offers a guided exploration, illuminating the rich tapestry of the city’s history and culture through the lens of its culinary delights.
Discover hidden gems and local favourites
By taking a Seville food tour, you will uncover the hidden gems and local favourites that are often missed by those travelling un-shepherded, as you’ll be shown the way by a local foodie.
With their wealth of knowledge and passion for food, your local guide will typically introduce you to the very best that Seville has to offer in an authentic and immersive way.
Your guide will be able to lead you through the labyrinth of alleys, guiding you towards secret tapas bars and off-the-beaten-path restaurants where locals gather to savour the city’s legendary dishes.
Learn about the history and culture of Seville through food
It’s not just about the food though; taking a Seville food tour is an opportunity to experience the culture and lifestyle of this beautiful city. As you explore with your guide, they’ll be able to provide insightful commentary about each place you visit, giving you an inside look at life in southern Spain.
You can also be sure to learn something new – whether it’s the story behind a particular dish or the history and traditions of Seville.
Throughout its lifetime, Seville has been home to a vast variety of peoples, ranging from the Ancient Romans and Visigoths to the Moors and Christians (amongst a long list of others that include Jewish and Romany communities), each leaving their mark on the city’s culinary heritage.
As you sample your way through the streets, you may meet local chefs and restaurant owners too, which I always feel puts the whole dining experience into much greater context, when you get to meet the ‘faces behind the food’, so to speak.
Try a variety of dishes and flavours and discover what to eat in Seville
With a local foodie guide at the helm, you’ll be taken on a journey to try a variety of dishes and flavours, allowing you to sample the best of typical food and ingredients in Seville.
From Iberico ham and carrillada to marinated and deep-fried fish and bull’s tail, your guide will likely introduce you to the local favourites and variety of flavours that make up Seville’s cuisine.
No more missed opportunities or missed flavours – with a food tour, you’ll get to indulge in the authentic tastes of Seville, hand-selected by a knowledgeable guide who knows exactly what to look for.
Meet local food experts and learn from them
When embarking on a culinary adventure through Seville, the opportunity to meet and learn from local food experts is invaluable. These passionate foodies know the city inside and out and have a wealth of knowledge to share about its cuisine and culinary heritage.
Not only will they guide you to the best dishes and hidden gems, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the food and culture in Seville.
Whether you’re interested in the history behind traditional dishes or the best places to source local ingredients, a local food expert on your food tour is the ultimate resource for discovering the city’s culinary delights.
You’ll typically be able to ask them about their favourite places to eat in Seville too, so you’ll be armed with a list of eateries to try while you are visiting the city.
Personal Review of Devour Seville Food Tours
Overview of the company
Devour Tours is a culinary tour company that specializes in offering immersive and authentic food experiences in various destinations. Their goal is to provide travellers with the opportunity to not only taste the local cuisine, but to also learn about the culture, history, and traditions behind the food.
Devour Tours works with local food experts and guides to curate personalized tours that showcase the best of each destination’s food scene.
The tours often include visits to hidden local gems and off-the-beaten-path restaurants and markets, giving travellers an authentic and in-depth look into the culinary world of the destination.
With Devour Tours, travellers can expect a fun, educational and unforgettable food-filled adventure.
For those who are familiar with the fabulous Talk Walks tour company, Devour is a sister company to Walks, having been acquired by the same parent company (City Experiences) in the last couple of years.
Devour are now operating all of the food tours under the Take Walks mantle, while Take Walks’ cultural tours are now also being cross-promoted on Devour Tours website also.
Personal experience on the Tastes, Tapas and Traditions of Seville tour
The tour I chose to equip me with the knowledge to navigate my way through Seville’s culinary scene was Devour Tour’s Tastes, Tapas and Traditions of Seville food tour.
I hadn’t taken a tour with Devour previously, but did so here for two reasons.
First, their outstanding reputation and credentials as a leading food tour company that focuses on authentic, immersive experiences and second, due to their relationship with Take Walks, of which I am a regular customer and big fan (as are many readers of this blog).
Thankfully, my reasoning proved to be one based on solid rationale and my experience on the tour surpassed my already high expectations.
Group size and tour guide
Our meeting point was under Seville’s enigmatic ‘Las Setas‘ monument, where our group congregated in front of our gregarious and instantly likeable tour guide, Elena, at 10.30am. Devour keeps tour groups to 10 people maximum in an effort to keep experiences intimate and ours came in at a healthy 9 people.
This experience, according to Elena, was not going to be one where we felt like we were on a guided tour of the city, but rather where we would be undertaking a fun and food-filled few hours amongst friends and experiencing Seville and its food in the way its locals do.
With that, the ice was broken as we all introduced ourselves to each other and our merry bunch was off on its way to our first stop.
Types of food and drink
10.30am might sound awfully early to start eating in a city that is famed for its tapas, which you would expect to eat later in the day, but this tour does not focus merely on tapas – it gives a broad spectrum overview of the types of food eaten by a Sevilliano over the course of the day.
(Side note: if you are more interested in the tapas and bar culture of Seville specifically, then you may want to take a look at Devour’s Tapas, Taverns and History tour, which runs in the evening).
We began with a typical start to the day in Seville – a coffee – before then delving into a food market where we got to sample black label (that’s the most premium kind) of Iberico ham. Then it was time for Seville’s delectably more-ish breakfast favourite – churros – to carry on with the theme of the morning.
As we ambled towards lunchtime, it was time first for a few sweet treats that reflected Seville’s diverse past and its impact of the flavours that find their way into ingredients lists, before we moved onto an extremely unique venue to sample typical lunchtime sandwiches in the form of montaditos.
We washed them down with a traditional Sevillian wine-based cocktail that has now become by lunchtime tipple of choice.
Due to its proximity to the sea, seafood forms a big part of any menu in Seville with numerous fishmongers, bursting at the seams with fresh produce, dotted around the city.
It only made sense, therefore, that we include a tasting of this as part of our experience, getting to sample marinated shark meat from a typical Sevillian fried-fish shop.
After that, it was on to a family-run restaurant where we had a table booked for us and from which we got to choose our own tapa to sample, along with a glass of wine of choice too.
We were offered typical Sevillian tapas ranging from meat, seafood, salmorejo to vegetarian, so there was something here that would appeal to everywhere.
My partner Andy sampled the carillada, a delicious slow-cooked pork cheek which has since become his firm favourite (he gets some each time we eat out in Seville), while I had a super-fresh tuna dish, which again, I’ve come to see regularly on menus throughout the city.
Ending our dining experience was a stop-off at a Sevillian institution for some bite-sized desserts, wrapping up a thoroughly fantastic foodie experience in Seville.
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Stops on the tour
Having taken the tour and now several weeks into my ‘living in Seville’ experiment, our experience was extremely well mapped as to how I’ve observed Sevillanos interact with food (and each other) over the course of the day and how food helps shape day-to-day activities and routine – whether that be shopping for it, or eating it.
Stop 1 – a local food market
The tour mimicked how a day would start with a coffee and a chat with neighbours before food shopping is done – in local markets or in local independent stores where possible.
We visited the oldest food market in Seville, where specialist stalls burst at the seams with fresh produce. The stalls are rife with vibrant colours and you can expect to see everything from vegetables to fresh seafood, to cured meats and cheeses.
Having had our coffee amidst the bustle of the market and exchanged pleasantries with the owner of the café, we made our way through the stalls, learning about the different types of products as we went before we stopped off at one in particular – an Iberican ham stall!
Iberican ham is a type of cured ham made from the hind legs of Iberian pigs, and it’s one of Spain’s most prized delicacies. The black label variety (there are four different labels ranging in quality) is especially sought after and known for its intense flavour and complexity.
This particular type of meat is made only from pure-bred Iberian pigs that are free-range and fed a diet of grass and acorns – it’s also rather pricey.
Here, our group learned about the different types of pigs and how the meat was cured, before sampling the good stuff – black label – which melted on the tongue.
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Stop 2 – a churreria
After our trip to the market, we continued on the breakfast theme with a typical Sevillian breakfast meal – churros. We were led to a local institution that was a hive of activity, where people seemed to spill out the door.
Run by the same family for a number of generations, we greedily scoffed down these doughy delights and took part in a breakfast tradition that is centuries old.
These fried-dough pastries are often served with a mug of hot chocolate for dipping.
But we had ours the old-school way – sprinkled with sugar – which I more than happily consumed while listening to Elena tell us all about getting dressed up for the yearly Feria, as we stood outside a typical dress shop selling the most colourful and flamboyant dresses.
We next wandered through the streets of Alfalfa and Santa Cruz, two of the oldest neighbourhoods in Seville. Here, the narrow cobblestoned streets are full of life and colour, with locals bustling around to pick up their daily groceries or meet up with friends for a coffee.
Stop 3 – cookies from a convent
Our next stop was a thoroughly unique one, as we stopped off at a convent to pick up some baked treats. Nuns have been baking in Seville for centuries and Sevillianos have also been buying cookies from them for as long.
We went through a doorway into a small porch, through which you peer through a small window and make your order to a nun, who hands out your goodies to you.
It would have been so easy to miss this little gem and upon learning all about the tradition while sitting in front of some Roman ruins around the corner, learning about how the Reconquista indirectly affected the cuisine of Seville, as Arabic and Jewish methods and ingredients found their way into food.
Suddenly, the unique flavours and ingredients of the cookies all started to make sense, as there were clear Jewish and Arabic flavours present in the treats – these were no typical cookies.
Stop 4 – a glimpse into Holy Week
Our fourth stop was a little bonkers, but incredibly fascinating!
We made our way to the heart of the golden-hued area that surrounds Seville Cathedral to a religious-paraphernalia-covered hole-in-the-wall bar, for a typical Sevillian lunch.
In this small space, every inch was dedicated to Holy Week, a video played on a loop from a TV in the corner, blasting out the images and theme track from one of the parades, and incense wafted through the open doors out onto the street outside.
Here, in typical Seville fashion, we had our lunch huddled around the bar, munching on montaditos – tasty pork and chorizo sandwiches – which were washed down with an authentic wine-based cocktail (hint, it wasn’t sangria!).
Stop 5 – a freiduría (fried fish shop)
Our next stop was to a local favourite – a freiduría (or fried fish shop). Seville is located quite close to the sea and receives oodles of fresh fish delivered early in the morning.
A freiduría is somewhat of a fish and chip shop and is extremely similar to one in that it typically has the same set-up – a metal counter filled with what has been cooked, simple table and chairs and tiled walls – but the quality of the produce served up is typically high.
The fried fish here is served in paper cones and stuffed with the freshest delights from the sea – boquerones, hake, cod, roe and acedías.
What we came to sample, however, was the adobo, which is a marinade that is a speciality in Seville and uses a combination of vinegar, paprika, garlic and oregano to give the fish an unmistakable flavour.
Usually, the adobo-marinated fish is dogfish (a species of small shark), but you can also enjoy grouper or anchovies in this marinade.
Served alongside fresh, homemade patatas fritas (which are extremely tasty crisps, or ‘chips’ if you’re from the US), we washed this dish down with some sherry, learning about the impact on flavours and how the sherry complemented the marinade of the fish.
Local beer is also a favourite to wash this dish down with, which is also available if you opt for the drinks upgrade on the tour.
Stop 6 – a family-run tapas bar
The seventh stop on this Devour Seville food tour was a family-run tapas bar that has been in business for over three decades and which is now in the hands of the next generation of the family, having been passed down.
From the moment, we stepped through the door, it was warm and inviting. Traditionally decorated, the walls were adorned with pictures of local families and groups of friends, all of whom had spent time eating, drinking and making memories.
Here, Elena told us, was where you go to get some proper ‘Spanish mamá’ type cooking, with dishes prepared in a thoroughly authentic way. There was a range of tapas for us to choose from, with tuna, pork, chicken, and traditional vegetable dishes among some on offer.
We had a glass of wine with our tapa and Elena was on hand to explain each dish in detail and give us her expert tips on how to navigate the city’s most popular tapas venues, as well as advice on how to pair some of the local Spanish wines to certain dishes.
Stop 7 – sweet treats
Our last stop on the Seville food tour was a visit to an iconic bakery, where they have been serving up delicious treats and pastries for well over 100 years. Despite its age, the shop has retained its art deco look intact, with an elegant interior and vintage furnishing that grants it an air of timelessness.
Peering through the counter, a colourful array of pastries and cakes called out to be chosen and I opted for a chocolate-flavoured delight to finish off my Seville foodie experience for the day.
Reflections after the Devour ‘Tastes, Tapas & Traditions’ tour
Having taken the Devour ‘Tastes, Tapas & Traditions’ tour in Seville, I most definitely developed a much deeper understanding of Seville’s links to its cuisine and in a sense, have a newfound appreciation for the city’s vibrant food culture.
As we visited Ancient Roman ruins and strolled past some of Seville’s most famous monuments like Seville Cathedral and the endlessly beautiful Alcazar , our guide Elena regaled us with stories about how different people throughout history influenced the cuisine of this beautiful city, whether it be through new ingredients brought from the New World during the Ages of Discovery, to new ways of baking brought about by former Jewish and Arabic women joining Christian monasteries during and after the Reconquista.
From learning why certain dishes are eaten in specific ways to meeting some of the people behind busy food stalls, buzzing bars, and time-old institutions, it was an eye-opening experience that gave me insight into so much more than just what I was eating.
Not only did I leave the tour with a full stomach, but my mind also left somewhat fuller, and I now have a much better grasp on why Seville’s food is so unique.
I’m delighted that we did choose to begin our 2 month adventure in Seville with a food tour, as we have willingly thrown ourselves into the food scene here with no hesitation.
I know how to seek out a good tapas bar, what dishes to order and what to order when! I also would go so far as saying that I haven’t had a bad meal in Seville as a result – so that has to stand for something.
How to choose the best Seville food tour for you
Decide on the type of tour that best suits your interests
When it comes to taking a food tour in Seville, it’s crucial to first decide on the type of tour that aligns with your interests and food preferences. Taking the time to do a bit of research about the food in Seville beforehand will help ensure that the tour you choose includes the dishes and flavours that you’re most excited to try.
For example, I choose the Tastes, Tapas & Traditions tour led by Devour Tours because I wanted to broad overview of the cuisine in Seville as a whole, which is what the tour provided.
You may, for example, be more interested in the tapas scene purely, so you may be better off choosing something like their Tapas, Taverns & History tour, which takes place during the evening and focuses more in-depth on tapas specifically and also includes more drinks.
By carefully considering your interests and doing some research in advance, you’ll be able to choose a food tour that perfectly fits your needs and ensures you get to taste the best food Seville has to offer.
Research different tour companies and read reviews
When planning a food tour in Seville, researching different tour companies and reading reviews is a crucial step. By taking the time to do so, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and select the best tour for your needs and expectations.
Not only will you gain an understanding of the different experiences on offer across the board, but you should also be able to gauge the quality of each tour and the level of customer satisfaction, as well as what sort of food and stops you can expect on a particular tour.
I’m a big believer in the fact that most complaints that arise when it comes to experiences are due to the customer not doing their research in advance and coming with incorrect pre-conceived notions that lend to them then being surprised, or disappointed, that the tour was not what they wanted.
Devour Tours, for example, focuses on authentic experiences that support local businesses and vendors, so you can expect a more relaxed, convivial atmosphere as opposed to a more formal approach.
Consider your dietary restrictions and preferences
When booking a food tour in Seville, it’s important to consider your dietary restrictions and preferences. Doing so will ensure that you have a truly enjoyable and satisfying experience, rather than feeling limited or uncomfortable with the food options available on the day.
If you have specific allergies or follow a certain diet, make sure to communicate this to the tour company in advance. This way, they can make appropriate arrangements and ensure that the food stops and dishes served cater to your dietary needs.
Do ensure to also check that the tour in question can in fact cater to your needs before booking too, i.e. if you are a coeliac make sure that this is catered for.
By considering your dietary restrictions and preferences, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Seville without any hindrances, allowing you to make the most of your food tour experience.
Consider the size of the tour group
When it comes to taking a food tour in Seville, or a food tour in general, the size of the tour group can greatly impact the experience. A smaller group tour allows for a more personalized and intimate experience.
The guide is able to give more attention to each participant, and the dynamics within the group allow for easier conversation and a more relaxed atmosphere.
With a smaller group, it’s also easier to navigate through busy streets, taste more local specialities, and get to know your fellow tour-goers.
This was one of the reasons why I chose Devour Tours in particular, as they had a maximum of 10 participants on the tour which led to it being a far more personalised experience.
Wrapping up – food tours in Seville
Food tours in Seville are a unique way to explore the city’s culture and cuisine.
The end result of a high-quality food tour experience in Seville is an incredible journey for the senses – one that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for local food, culture, and people. It’s certainly helped to enrich my time in Seville for the better.
From considering dietary restrictions to researching reviews, taking the time to prepare for your food tour will ensure it lives up to all its promises. After doing my research, I landed upon Devour Tours and was thoroughly satisfied with my choice.
Whether it’s your first time visiting Seville or you’re a returning visitor, a food tour with Devour Tours will leave you with a lasting impression of the delicious experiences that can be had in this vibrant city.
I hope this article has helped provide insight into what to consider when booking a food tour in Seville and encouraged you to book one soon! Enjoy your culinary journey!
Related reading for SEVILLE
Thank you to Devour Tours, who kindly provided this tour free of charge. For the purposes of transparency, I approached Devour Tours in regards to this partnership having found their Seville food tours online.
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