Seville Tapas Tour Review: Tapas, Taverns & History Tour with Devour Tours

Seville is home to over 3,000 tapas bars, and between them, they serve up hundreds of different tapas. I 100% get how this can feel overwhelming. If you’re thinking of doing a tapas tour in Seville but aren’t sure what to expect or which one to choose, you’re in the right place.

Recently, I joined the Devour “Tapas, Taverns & History” Tour in Seville. I’m usually a bit hesitant about food tours because I’m vegetarian and worry I’ll miss out, but Seville is so well known for its tapas scene that I couldn’t resist. 

And you know what? It was fantastic! I didn’t feel like I missed out at all. In fact, there were so many veggie-friendly options that I actually struggled to finish everything we tried.

In this Seville tapas tour review, I’m sharing my honest take on what to expect from a Devour Tours experience — and why I think it’s a must-do while you’re in the city.

Is It Worth Doing a Food Tour in Seville, Spain?

Absolutely!

Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with friends, joining a Seville food tour is one of the best ways to experience the city. Tapas is more than just food here – it’s a way of life, and you’ll learn how important that is to the Seviliano culture during this tour.

The city’s tapas bars can be busy and a little intimidating for first-timers, but with a local guide, you’ll not only discover hidden spots but also learn how to order and eat like a local.

On this Devour tour, you’ll get to try a whole range of classic dishes – paired with drinks! and explore two of Seville’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods: Santa Cruz (the old Jewish Quarter) and Arenal. 

Along the way, your local guide shares fascinating history, from centuries-old taverns to the stories behind Seville’s most famous ingredients.

It’s a brilliant way to figure out what to eat for the rest of your trip — and if you’ve read my packing for Spain guide, you’ll know to bring clothes with a stretchy waistband, because there’s a good chance you’ll eat your body weight in tapas.

Reasons To Choose Devour Seville Food Tours

There are plenty of food tours in Seville – so why pick Devour?

Here’s why I recommend them:

• Small groups, with a maximum of 10 people.
• 4 hours of food and drink, so you won’t leave hungry.
• Guaranteed tables in some of Seville’s most popular (and historic) tapas bars.
• Knowledgeable local guides who blend history, culture, and food seamlessly.
• Tours are in English and suitable for travellers who want an authentic but accessible experience.
• They also focus on supporting small, family-run businesses, keeping your money in the community.

I’ve partnered with Devour to bring you this travel guide. This article is based on the destination and experiences I took part in. All views and opinions are my own.

Dietary Requirements on a Seville Food Experience

As a vegetarian, I found this tour really easy to enjoy. My guide made sure my dishes were ready at each stop, and nothing felt like a compromise – which is often the way when you order a veggie dish in a meat-dominant destination.

Seville has plenty of naturally vegetarian tapas, from espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas) to salmorejo (a thick tomato and bread soup) and aliños (marinated vegetable salads).

This tour is adaptable for:

• Vegetarians
• Pescatarians
• Gluten free (not coeliac)
• Dairy free
• Non-alcoholic options
• Pregnant women

Can I Do a Self-Guided Tapas Tour in Seville?

Yes – but it’s a bit different from pintxos hopping in the north of Spain.

You could walk between bars in Santa Cruz, Arenal, or get off the beaten path and explore the tapas in Triana. Go for a selection, and order a drink with a couple of small plates. It’s a fun way to experience the tapas culture, and many locals do exactly this.

The challenge is knowing what to order and where. Some of the best spots are tucked away, and many don’t take reservations; you might struggle to get a table. Plus, you won’t get the insider stories or background to the dishes that make them so special.

If you’re confident ordering in Spanish and happy to explore by trial and error, a DIY tapas crawl is great fun. But if you want a smooth, guaranteed experience (especially at busy times), a guided food tour is well worth it.

What Happens on the Devour Seville Food Tour

The Seville Tapas, Taverns & History Tour includes 8+ food tastings and 4+ drinks at four family-run bars, some of which have been operating for over 100 years.

You’ll start in Santa Cruz before moving into Arenal and the Casco Antiguo, with your guide weaving in history, stories, and plenty of insider tips for eating out in Seville.

Our guide told us that no two tours are the same, as different bars have different opening days and times – as we were visiting in August, a lot of places were closed for the summer, which is totally normal for Seville because of the insane heat in the city. 

Below are the four stops we visited on the tour — you could easily add them to your own Seville itinerary if you’re planning a trip to Seville. That said, joining the tour means you get the stories, local tips, and guaranteed tables that you’d probably miss if you went solo.

1. Café Bar Las Teresas, Santa Cruz

This gorgeous tavern has been serving locals since 1908, with hams hanging from the ceiling and walls covered in old photos.

We started with a sweet red vermouth (vermú), this one with a lovely cinnamon base. Meat eaters tried jamón ibérico, while I had aliño de papas – a potato salad made with sherry vinegar and olive oil – plus slices of queso manchego from La Mancha.

Here, we learned all about the Iberian pigs, how to tell if your ham is the best quality, and the role of pork in Andalusian history. Even as a vegetarian, it was interesting to hear about the hidden things to look for.

2. Bodega Díaz-Salazar, Arenal

Our next stop was just around the corner from the Cathedral. This bar is a favourite among locals and is known for manzanilla sherry. You can even see the giant clay vessels at the back of the bodega, where people used to come and buy their sherry to take home. 

I had aliño de pimientos – charred red and yellow peppers marinated in olive oil and vinegar – while meat eaters tucked into a bocadillo (small sandwich) with pork.

Over a glass of manzanilla sherry, our guide told us all about how sherry is made here in Andalusia, particularly in the famous Sherry Triangle. 

This is an area between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María. Jerez, which you can easily visit as part of a day trip from Seville, is considered the heart of sherry production and is where many of these traditions began.

Sherry comes in loads of different styles — manzanilla is one of the driest, crispest ones, while Pedro Ximénez (PX) is at the total opposite end, so sweet and syrupy it’s almost like pouring liquid raisins into your glass.

They explained that manzanilla’s slight salty tang goes perfectly with Andalusian tapas. A lot of traditional food here — think olives, anchovies, jamón, and even some cheeses — used to be preserved in salt because of the heat and lack of fridges. That salty flavour still runs through the local cuisine, and it just happens to be a great match for the sherry.

We also heard about La Feria de Abril in Seville, where manzanilla gets turned into rebujito — basically sherry mixed with Sprite and ice. It’s light, refreshing, and exactly what you want when you’re dancing in the sunshine all afternoon.

3. El Atún, Casco Antiguo

This father-and-son spot specialises in fish dishes, but there were great veggie options too.

I enjoyed salmorejo topped with balsamic drizzle and slices of boiled egg, plus espinacas con garbanzos. I paired these with two different Spanish reds – one from Ribera del Duero and another from La Rioja.

Meat eaters had carrillada (slow-braised pork cheek), and we all shared a tortilla de patatas.

Our guide explained why pork became such a big deal in Andalusia — and it’s not just about taste. It’s a legacy of the Spanish Inquisition, when Seville was home to three main religious communities: Muslims, Jews, and Catholics.

Back then, eating pork wasn’t just a meal choice — it was a political statement. To prove you’d converted to Catholicism (and avoid suspicion or worse), you had to be seen eating pork in public. It became a visible, undeniable way to show loyalty to the dominant faith.

That’s why, even today, you’ll spot jamón ibérico and jamón serrano hanging from the ceilings in so many taverns across Seville. It’s not just a handy way to store meat — it’s a tradition deeply rooted in the city’s history. The cured hams, dangling like edible trophies, are both a nod to the past and a staple of Andalusian cuisine.

4. Olmo Heladería Artesanal, Casco Antiguo

We finished on a sweet note at this artisanal ice cream shop. 

I went for the mint and lime sorbet, which tasted just like a mojito – the perfect refreshing end on a hot summer night. 

The shop is family-run, and they source much of their fruit from Seville’s local markets, so the flavours change with the seasons. Depending on the time of year, you might find Seville orange in spring, fresh fig in summer, or roasted chestnut in winter — all made in small batches and packed with flavour.

The Tapas, Taverns & History Tour with Devour wrapped up here, and after four hours of eating our way around Seville, we were all completely stuffed — and not just our bellies. Our heads were full of new stories, fun facts, and local history. Even after living here for a while, I still learned so much.

Check Out My Other Seville Tapas Tour Review Articles

I’m a big fan of Devour Tours and their sister company, Walks Tours, and I’ve tried several of their experiences here in Seville. If you liked this review, you might enjoy my other Seville tour review articles!

• Seville Tapas & Flamenco Tours Review
• Triana Neighbourhood Tapas Tour Review
• Alone in the Alcazar: Exclusive Early Access Tour Review

Devours Pledge to Sustainable Tourism in Seville

From lively tapas bars to family-run shops, food is the heart of Seville’s culture. The places we visited are all small, locally-owned businesses, many passed down through generations. 

Supporting them helps keep their recipes and traditions alive for the future — and means your money stays in the community.

This is something Devour actively champions on all their tours.

Lately, a lot of Spain’s most popular cities have been in the news for struggles with overtourism. 

One simple way we can all help is by choosing locally-run spots instead of big international chains. Honestly, who wants to eat McDonald’s when you’ve got sizzling patatas bravas, garlicky mushrooms, and perfectly grilled vegetables just waiting for you?

Food Tours in Seville FAQs

Thinking of Doing a Tapas Tour in Seville?

The Devour Seville Tapas, Taverns & History Tour is such a great way to dive straight into the city’s food and culture.

You’ll wander through historic taverns, taste authentic Andalusian dishes, and finish the night feeling like you can confidently order tapas anywhere in town. From the local stories to the perfectly paired drinks, every detail is designed to help you fall in love with Seville – one bite at a time.

If this has whetted your appetite for more, I’ve got plenty of other guides and first-hand tips to help you make the most of your trip. 

You can carry on reading more here on Meet Me In Departures, or hop over to my other site — The Seville Guide — where you’ll find everything from hidden-gem tapas bars to neighbourhood walking routes, cultural festivals, and day trips. 

However you choose to explore, Seville has so much more waiting for you.