If you find yourself wandering the enchanting streets of Seville, Spain, you’re in for a treat beyond the sights and sounds – the city’s culinary scene has some of the best paella outside of Valencia. Paella, a beloved Spanish rice dish adorned with an array of savory ingredients, has firmly embedded itself into Sevillian culture. Whether you’re a seasoned food enthusiast or a casual diner, exploring Seville’s top paella spots promises a delicious adventure. Join us as we uncover the seven best places to eat paella in this iconic Spanish town, right here in the capital of Andalusia.
1. Different types of paella and other Spanish rice dishes
There are many different flavorful types of paella to try, with each dish showcasing the diversity of Spanish cuisine. In addition to the popular paella, there are also other types of Spanish cuisine and dishes including rice. There’s a dish that will cater to each individuals taste for sure!
Valencian Paella: The traditional and original version of paella, containing ingredients such as chicken, rabbit, snails, and green beans, flavored with saffron and paprika.
Seafood Paella: A seafood lover’s delight, featuring an assortment of fresh seafood like shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, and sometimes fish, cooked with rice and flavored with saffron and garlic.
Mixed Paella: Combining the best of both worlds, mixed paella incorporates both meats (such as chicken, rabbit, and sometimes chorizo) and seafood (like shrimp, mussels, and squid) along with vegetables and rice.
Vegetarian Paella: Catering to vegetarians, this version of paella excludes meat and seafood, instead focusing on fresh vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, artichokes, peas, and mushrooms, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish.
Black Paella (Arroz Negro): Uniquely colored due to the inclusion of squid ink providing the dish with a rich taste. Black paella features seafood such as squid and prawns, along with other ingredients like bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
Arroz caldoso: Spanish dish similar to paella but with a soupy consistency, featuring rice cooked in a flavorful broth infused with a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables, offering a hearty and comforting culinary experience.
Paella Fideuá – A variation of the traditional paella: instead of using rice as the main ingredient, the fideua uses short, thin pasta noodles. The dish usually constains squid, mussels and/or shrimp.
2. Where to eat the best paella in Seville
2.1 La Paella Sevilla: One of the Best paella with Original Recipe
This charming and casual little restaurant, La Paella Sevilla, is owned and operated by a Valencian family, so this paella is as authentic as it can get! Just this fact alone makes it worthy of a place on the list of the best places to eat paella in Seville. The menu is small, but that ensures high quality and freshness of ingredients. The restaurant offers the possibility to order paella in a different variety of portions – either singular or a bigger dish to share. The menu offers 4 different paella dishes, including the paella fideua (paella with pasta). Don’t miss this charming little gem while visiting!
There is two locations in the center of Seville:
Location: Calle Alemanes 15 and Calle Albuera 11
Opening hours: 12:00 p.m – 11:30 p.m (Calle Alemanes 15) and 12:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m (Calle Albuera 11)
Price rate: $
2.2 Eat one of the best paella in Seville like a local at Restaurante El 3 de Oro
Restaurante El 3 de Oro in Sevilla is loved by tourists and locals alike, has been serving Sevillian tapas, Andalusian dishes and some of the best paella in Seville since 1917. The restaurants decor is traditional – showcasing their legacy and autenthicity. Located in one of the old entrance gates to Seville, in Puera de la Carne, it is one of the best places to eat paella in Seville.
The dishes are prepared with fresh and local ingredients. The paella is 34€ for two people, and you can choose between fish and seafood paella or black paella.
Location: Calle Santa Maria la Blanca 34
Opening hours: 8 a.m – 12 a.m
Price range: $$
2.3 Gusto Sevilla: high quality paella with vegetarian options
In the heart of the city, you can find Gusto – a modern and contemporary Mediterranean restaurantwith a farmhouse-style that specializes in paellas. With ingredients from local producers and seasonal products, you can expect dishes of high quality. The menu offers a wide variety of paellas – everything from the classic paella, to shellfish, mixed and black paella. The restaurant also provides vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for dishes – in this case they have a vegetarian paella with vegetables and mushrooms. The place is known as one of the best places to eat paella in Seville with great service and a great location for a fair price. Gusto Sevilla is a perfect place to enjoy a fancy meal!
Location: Calle Alemanes 23
Opening hours: 8:30 a.m – 11:30 p.m
Price range: $$$
2.4 Otaola: a hidden gem in the capital of Andalusia
A popular spot among locals is Otaola – which is always a great sign when it considering that paella is Spains national dish. Otaola is a hidden gem in the Porvenir neighborhood, located close to the Maria Luisa Park. The restaurant offers around 30 kinds of rice with an excellent quality. The restaurant has a nice and elegant atmosphere in a big open space. Known to be one of the best places to eat paella in Granada, take note that the restaurant is only open for lunch between the hours of 1:30 p.m – 4:45 p.m. Don’t miss this hidden gem when visiting Sevilla, and are looking for a good lunch!
Location: Calle San Salvador 18
Opening hours: 1:30 p.m – 4:45 p.m
Price range: $$-$$$
2.5 Arrocería La Plaza: one of the best paella in Seville
Take a trip over to the east side of Seville to find some of the best paella to eat in Seville, at the charming restaurant Arrocería La Plaza. This restaurant, that specializes in paellas, has a casual yet chic atmosphere. Their menu offers a wide variety of paellas – from arroz caldoso (creamy rice), to rice with oxtail and to black paella. They also offer nice tapas and small dishes!
Location: Hotel Vertice Sevilla
Opening hours: 1:30 p.m – 4:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m – 11:00 p.m
Price range: $$
2.6 Enjoy tasty paella at a library themed restaurant: El Librero Tapas & Quesos
If you want an unique dining experience in an endearing restaurant with cozy, library-themed decor: look no further then El Librero Tapas & Quesos. This restaurant is a hit among the locals, and is considered to be a hidden gem in Seville. The restaurant specializes in cheese, tapas and paella: so there are many other additional dishes to enjoy during your visit. They offer all the types of paella as named in the article earlier, so one will surely find a great paella or other dish to cater to your tastes at El Librero. The price to quality ratio is almost unbelievable, and many consider this restaurant to have the best paella in Seville.
Location: Pje. Andreru 4,
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:30 a.m – 10:00 p.m / Saturday: 9:30 a.m – 4 p.m
Price range: $-$$
2.7 Enjoy a fancy dinner at Gascona
Standing as one of the best rated restaurants in Seville (with good reason) is Gascona. Enjoy a fancy dinner in this restaurant with a lovely environment and a versataile menu. It is rumored that this restaurant is one of the best places to eat paella in Seville, coupled with great service and reasonable prices for the quality. The restaurant specializes in seafood and mediterrian cuisine, and is a perfect spot for a celebration.
Location: Calle Castilla 22
Opening hours: 1:30 p.m – 4:30 p.m and 8:30 p.m – 11:30 p.m
Price range: $$-$$$
So, whether you’re a local or a traveler passing through, don’t miss the chance to savor the best of Seville’s paella offerings! Seville is the capital of Andalucia and an iconic city for a reason, with many beautiful neighborhoods. If you have had enough meat and seafood paella, make sure to check out Sevilles best vegan restaurants.
This article was last updated on 22.03.2024