I really couldn’t say how many times I’ve been past this little bar near the Plaza del Duque, and admired the totally Sevillano style building in which it’s housed (in fact I have often fantasized about living in the top floor apartment). But it’s a lot. Then a few years ago (2018 to be exact) I stopped in while running errands and discovered I quite liked it. It’s small and cosy with one of those nice old fashioned bartops, and a fabulous ceramic tile picture of the Plaza as it was before the coming of El Corte Inglés. Since covid they have installed a couple of those “parking space” terrazas, otherwise there is indoor seating, tall stools only.

Once a part of the local Bar Rioja chain of five bars, La Esquina has been independently run since 1990, first by former waiter Mariano Gutiérrez and now by chef Antonio Marín, who took over the reins in 2003. There’s a fairly simple traditional menu includes many of the stalwarts of tapas cuisine like ensaladilla, carrillada, boquerones and one of my favourite solomillo al whisky tapas in the city (also try the mantecaíto, which is basically solomillo with chips onna bun). The speciality is fried or grilled fresh fish, which you can choose from the display case. Bar service is very friendly.

Open all day, from breakfast on, so you can grab an early morning coffee and toast to fortify yourself for shopping. Self-service at the bar and outside.

Bread/Service Charge: 1.20€ PER BASKET

Jesús del Gran Poder 6
Tel 625 714 629
Open 8.00 – 23.00
Closed Sunday
€ € €

Food 6 | Wine 5 | Service 5 | Ambiance 6

chicharrones

boquerones al vinagre

grilled mushroom stuffed with jamón, topped with fried quail eggs

artichoke flower with prawns

chipirones fritos

fritas variadas: acedías, boquerones, salmonetes, pijotas

mantecaíto al whisky

jamón and mushroom croquetas

lagrimitas de presa with mozárabe sauce

lagartito with mojo picón

grilled presa with PX sauce

solomillo al whisky

owner & chef José Antonio Marín Maya

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Updated September 2025