The Arenal is the neighbourhood between the Avenida de la Constitución and the river, most famous for the Torre del Oro and the Maestranza bullring. Although it’s only just across the street from the Cathedral it feels much more like a real neighbourhood with real people than the Santa Cruz. It’s one of my favourite barrios and has more than its fair share of excellent tapas bars, with a range of styles on offer that benefits from both retaining its traditional core of well established bars, and the arrival of a number of more modern contenders.

• Abacería J.M.

• Amara

• Arco Tapas

• Bajo Guia

• Bar Alfonso “El Rey de los Caracoles”

• Bar Arenal Ventura

• Bodeguita Romero *

• Casablanca

• Catalina El Bar

• Casa Morales

• Casa Moreno

• Cervecería Internacional

• Cinco Jotas

• El Arenal Freiduría

• El Atún

• El Cairo

• Flores Gourmet

• La Barra de Inchausti / La Moneda

• La Brunilda

• La Flor de Toranzo

• La Isla Fried Fish

• La Isla Restaurante

• La Taberna

• Maccheroni & Co *

• Mechela Arenal

• Milonguitas

• Los Coloniales II

• Paco Góngora

• Papirusa

• Patronas

• Pepe Hillo

• Petit Comité

• Petit Corner

• Porta Rossa *

• Salas Asador

• Seis

• Taberna del Alabardero

• Torres y García

* vegetarian friendly