Updated March 2023
Note: As of March 1 2023 Eslava has changed hands. Sixto and his wife Rosa have retired after more than 35 years running this total gem of a tapas bar/restaurant that became one of my favourites in the city. I’m very happy for them and wish them well, and was told the new owners are going to keep things just the same. We shall see. For me it will never be the same without Sixto there. I will leave the rating as it is for now and check back again in a few months.
Not so much of a hidden gem anymore, Eslava is just outside the usual “rutas de tapas”, and is deservedly one of the most popular tapas bars in Sevilla. It’s also one of my personal favourites. It is charming and unpretentious and serves up some of the best food in town at some of the best prices in town. Favourites include super-tender honey-glazed pork ribs (fall of the bone, melt in your mouth…), boletus bizcocho topped with a runny free-range egg yolk, the tender carrillada and crispy creamy fried ortiguillas (sea anemones). Or just go and order anything at all – you won’t be disappointed (be sure to check the daily specials). And even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, the manchego ice cream is not to be missed.
They reopened a second time December 2020 (after opening for a month or so during the summer they shut again to make some changes) and their new Cocina Eslava had opened just around the corner, an extension of the bar’s kitchen giving them more space, a larger bodega, lots of extra storage and a lovely “chill out” area for the staff. It also has a takeaway counter for “ready to heat” prepared dishes to finish at home, including instructions. Other changes include a complete do-over of the original kitchen and a brand new heating and filter system that totally replaces the the air every few minutes.
For the moment Eslava is staying open all day with two seatings at lunchtime (1.30 and 3.30) and bookings taken in the evening up to 10.30. Bookings are recommended but are not taken for the bar so get there early if you want to get a spot. It’s still my preferred place to eat there.
Bread Charge: 0.50€ Per Person
Eslava 5
tel. 954 906 568
12.30 – 23.30
closed Sunday evening & Monday
€ € € €
Food 10 | Wine 9 | Service 10 | Ambiance 9
garlicky coquinas from Punto Umbria
seabass meatballs
cured sheep’s cheese from Zamora
torta del casar croquettes
jamón croquetas
marinated pork with spring onions and fresh cilantro
courgettes ‘charlotte’
ricotta, basil and jamón quiche
Ibérico pork ribs in honey and rosemary sauce
Becquer’s cigar (cuttlefish and langoustines)
Ibericos fritos
foie micuit on hazelnut bread with bitter almond jelly
fried ortiguillas (sea anemone)
tempura courgette flower filled with cheese
spinach and prawn pudding
chicken, cheese and ham roll
chocos fritos (cuttlefish)
fried hake with alioli
fried salmonetes (red mullet)
boquerones al limón
grilled swordfish morillo
grilled leeks with tartare sauce and salmon roe
baby courgette filled with bacalao
puntillitas fritas
carrillada croquetas
sangre encebollada (fried blood with onions)
artichoke with salt cod and smoked paprika
alubias with morcilla and chorizo
lentils with 5 Jotas jamón Ibérico de Bellota
grilled whole sardines
live razor clams
chatting with Sixto Tovar, the owner
solomillo (pork tenderloin) in dill sauce
carrillada (stewed pig’s cheeks)
carrillada meatballs
char-grilled foie gras on pumpkin bread with a PX and pumpkin sauce
delicate beef tataki with ginger sauce
beef flamenquín
grilled secreto Ibérico with cilantro sauce
grilled presa Ibérica with dill sauce
solomillo with cabrales sauce
crispy fried breaded sardines
free range egg boletus soufflé with caramalised wine sauce
Ana
Pepe
Sixto
brand new kitchen, same great team
dark chocolate orange mousse cake
cheese cake
turrón ice cream with dark chocolate sauce
payoyo cheese flan with roasted fennel and anise
manchego cheese ice cream with tomato jam and membrillo
Sixto in the dining area
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Updated March 2023