Taberna La Fresquita opened the same year I moved to Sevilla and is just around the corner from where I lived for over 18 years. Formerly a motorcycle club, owner José Rodríguez Navarro (aka Pepe) came in one night for a beer and found out that the bar was up for sale, so he decided to buy it and then totally reformed it with his father and brother (his brother Manuel would later take over Taberna La Goleta in 2013, renaming it Taberna Manolo Cateca). La Fresquita was opened on Ash Wednesday, February 24th 1993, and it was blessed by the priest from the Santa Cruz church across the street. Curiously both of Pepe’s daughters were later born on this same date.

Pepe clearly has a strong passion for Easter Holy Week and has belonged to the Macarena Hermandad all his life. The bar walls are festooned with “all things Semana Santa”, much of which was donated over the years by various clients from the numerous brotherhoods in the city.

The small bar is a favourite with locals, who spill out onto the pavement and over to the side walk terrace across the road. And with the recent pedestrianising of Mateos Gago the terrace is better than ever. The food here is classic and delicious, lots of charcuterie, cheese and montaditos (small sandwich rolls), with some traditional stews and other hot dishes. My personal favourite is the carne con tomate. People come to socialise and take in the fabulous “ambiente cofrade“. A great place to meet friends and grab a quick bite for lunch or start off an evening tapeo.

You can read more about Pepe and Manolo here: Hermanos Taberneros

Bread/Service Charge: 0€

Mateos Gago 29
Tel 954 22 60 10
Open: 12.00 – 16.00 / 20.00 – midnight Tuesday – Saturday
12.00 – 16.00 Sunday
€ € €

Food 7 | Wine 6 | Service 7 | Ambiance 9

owner Pepe lighting incense (2015)

owner Pepe lighting incense (2025)

the countdown to Semana Santa

chicharrones!

manchego cheese and caña de lomo

pringá and prawn & alioli montaditos

chicharrones de Cádiz

tortilla de patatas with olive oil

carne mechada a la sal

espinacas con garbanzos

carne con tomate

pisto con huevo

pork meatballs

bar and new open kitchen (2018)

the bar 2025

Pepe Rodríguez Navarro

30 YEARS! 1993 – 2023

typical “wedding Saturday”

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Updated October 2025