Tapas in Sevilla

You have all heard of tapas once and many of you have already eaten tapas, but where does the name come from and how did it come about?

A tapa (Spanish plural tapas) are small snacks of which there are up to 100 varieties. Traditionally, a tapa is an appetizer that is eaten at Spanish cafes with an alcoholic drink. Where Spanish tapas comes from is not known, but there are several theories where one tries to explain the origin of traditional cuisine.

For example, it is said that the Spanish king Alfonso X “El Sabio” stipulated that the wine always had to be accompanied by something to eat to prevent it from rising too quickly to the head.

In the beginning the Spanish tapas was placed on top of the edge of the jug or glass which was served. Thus, they found that the flies fell into the wine or beer.

Tapada means covered, one “tapada” their glass and thus the word arose.

Features of Spanish tapas:

- It is never sweet food.
- They are small portions. If they are a larger quantity, they are called “racion”.
- It is not fast food.
- It’s considered something informal that one eats with friends or colleagues.
- It is eaten in between or as a “survival snack” so that the body can maintain it until noon or dinner.

Typische Spaanse tapas:

- Espinacas (spinach)
- Carrillada (pig bug)
- Croquetas (croquettes)
- Albóndigas (meatballs in tomato sauce)
- Patatas bravas (potatoes in spicy tomato sauce)
- Tortilla de patatas (omelet of egg, potatoes, onion, and olive oil)
- Porra antequerana (gazpacho soup)
- Ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad of potatoes, carrots, pickles, peas, eggs, celery, onions, chicken, and sour apples)
- Flamenquín (slices of jam serrano wrapped in pieces of pork rind, breaded with breadcrumbs and fried)

Nice tips to try these tapas:

- Bodega Santa Cruz Las Columnas (Calle de Rodrigo Caro, 1)
- One of the oldest and most famous tapas bars in Seville. It is not only a good tapas bar, but also that authentic Spanish atmosphere. The bar itself has a limited number of seating areas, but outside there are also tables where you can enjoy some tapas.
- El Rinconillo (Calle Girona, 40)
- The oldest bar in Spain and has been making tapas from 1670. It has an authentic atmosphere and serves only classic Spanish cuisine.
- El Pinton (Calle Francos, 42)
- This tapas bar is a special restaurant in the center of Seville. Previously it was a warehouse that has now been transformed into an authentic and chic restaurant. The tapas here are a bit pricier than in other places, but well worth it if you want to eat a bit more elaborate and fancier.