Home Page

Cafe Sevilla

Café Sevilla delivers the warmth and culture of Southern Spain locally, with a casually elegant atmosphere and authentic cuisine. Café Sevilla offers traditional Spanish items like pitchers of sangria, a wide selection of tapas, and large paella platters which make it an excellent location for small groups. Theatrical Flamenco dinner shows are offered weekly and lively guitarists play Gypsy Rhumba and Latin music each night in the tapas bar. The restaurant has been a San Diego favorite for more than 20 years and a recent move has put their new location in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. The décor, atmosphere, and focus on tradition make this an exceptional dining experience and culinary adventure.

Cafe Sevilla: A Spanish Escape

Just beyond the corner of 4th and Market, there is a portal. Enter it any evening, and it will transport you halfway across the world to the heart of southern Spain. All you have to do is step inside. Travelers do it for all sorts of reasons. Some go for a romantic meal in a casual courtyard underneath the stars, others grab a drink and a snack at a tapas bar, and still others go to enjoy a flamenco dinner show, take salsa dancing lessons, or dance the night away. You don't need a plane ticket or a passport, just a few hours, some spending money, and an appetite for adventure.

You'll find the entrance to Spain at 555 4th Avenue, under a large sign that reads: Cafe Sevilla. It's been there since 1987, thanks to Rogelio Huidobro, who wanted to bring a bit of Spain's culture and tapas traditions to San Diego. Depending on what you're in the mood for, you can enter through one of three doors. The entrance proper, where a hostess will eagerly greet you, takes you to the charming restaurant's courtyard setting; a second door takes you to a connected tapas bar; and a third, which opens later in the evening and is located down a flight of stairs, takes you to an underground dance club.

We opt for the restaurant proper. Stepping through the main doors, it appears we are in a small courtyard, with clay tiles beneath our feet and stucco walls around us. Low lighting, both from tabletop candles and wall sconces, cast a flickering glow across the space. A mural stretched across one wall depicts happy couples lingering and dancing—it's as if they can hear the Spanish guitar that plays softly from hidden speakers. A painted ceiling reveals stars just beginning to emerge in the evening's sky. Between the stuccoed walls, an interior entrance to the tapas bar affords a glimpse of the lively scene next door. Behind us, an open kitchen sits behind a six-seat bar and glowing red lanterns. Chef Christian Vignes’s team is already in a whirlwind of action.

It's all we can to do sit back, relax, and sigh. We haven't even glanced at the menus when we are greeted by Adam, an amicable, quintessentially professional server who will be our guide on this trip. "Have you been to Cafe Sevilla before?" he inquires, launching with a smile into an explanation of the menu when we reply we have not.

Tapas—the general term for small plates or appetizers—originated in Spanish taverns centuries ago. Small portions of breads, olives, and cheeses launched a tradition that today allows diners the luxury of sampling a broad array of dishes in a single meal. At Cafe Sevilla, the selection includes both traditional tapas plates as well as more modern, fusion creations. Larger, entrée-sized dishes, including enormous portions of paella, are also offered. Café Sevilla’s tapas are both hot and cold, portioned in two sizes. About four small plates or two to three larger plates are recommended per person. Sharing is encouraged.

The most difficult moment of the evening comes when we must narrow down our tapas selection. Anticipating the process, Adam brings drinks while we begin the debate. I'm enamored with the selection of Spanish wines, and opt for a glass of Torres Muscat from the Penedes region. My date scans the list of sangria and specialty drinks and opts for a combination of the two—the Sangritini, an Absolut martini with a splash of red sangria.

We start with the simplest of dishes—bread. Warm from the oven, a small loaf arrives on a simple wood cutting board, accompanied by two dipping sauces. I look to my right for a knife and fork and smile when I realize even the table is set to encourage sharing. Small plates are stacked in the center of the table, next to a large jar holding knives, forks, and spoons. Reaching for plates and utensils from a communal stash offers a symbolic beginning to the meal.

Two dips accompanying the bread suggest the flavors that await us. Andalucian tomato sauce resonates with depth and complexity, showcasing tomato and garlic. Garlic aioli is bright and piquant, offering a sharp, acidic tang that awakens our taste buds. As we settle in for a meal rich in flavor, we switch to Manzanilla Sherry. The traditional aperitif also proves excellent paired with food.

A trio of plates arrive stacked on a iron tower, a presentation that helps save surface space on our soon-to-be crowded table. A second iron sculpture quickly follows: a two-foot tall hook rising from a plate, which allows a steaming skewer of meat—a brocheta—to dangle vertically. It’s hard to exhibit restraint as Adam spreads the remaining small plates over the dark wood table.

I start with Pisto Manchego, a bewitchingly complex vegetable ragout of tomato, eggplant, zucchini, onion, and garlic, topped with a layer of melted Manchego cheese. The vegetables are a mix of textures—the eggplant is a light and airy puree, while the zucchini is diced into thick, hearty pieces. The flavors are complex and elusive—each bite resonates with underlying spice, freshness, and the salty-sweet distinctness of the cheese. We are smitten.

At Adam's recommendation, we simultaneously sample two tapas that are meant to be eaten together—Filet Mignon Chilindron and Manchego Cheese Mashed Potatoes. Bite-sized pieces of tender filet mignon mingle with tiny button mushrooms in a rich stew. While the meat slowly dissolves on the tongue, the mushrooms explode with moistness and flavor. Saffron's unmistakable flavor reveals itself in the creamy sauce, adding a lingering depth to each savory bite. The potatoes are rich and creamy, the salty sweet Manchego cheese lending a clever twist to the ubiquitous dish. The sauce seeps into the potatoes on my plate, and a bite that contains the two is absolutely sublime.

It's a tough call, but we decide the Beef Brocheta wins out over the Filet Mignon. From the large, dangling skewer, we pull large pieces of flat iron steak, portobello mushrooms, and red onions, getting to feel the meat's tenderness before it reaches our plate. Perfectly charred from the grill, the steak is coated with a flavorful Moorish spice rub, adding a salty, addictive flavor to each succulent bite.

The Shrimp Ajillo is full of flavor, thanks to a rich white wine garlic sauce. For every shrimp there is a thick sliver of garlic, which surprisingly lends flavor without being overbearing. The sauce is light but deliciously complex, full of tomato, acidity, and tang. It pairs amazingly with our lingering Sherry.

And then: Paella. The Paella Valencia arrives in a steaming metal pan, a wonderland of tastes and textures. Firm saffron rice is peppered with land and sea—thick rings of stark white calamari, pale pink shrimp, vibrant slices of chorizo, jet black mussles, pale clams, and roasted chicken. A plate of paella offers the same opportunity as a table full of tapas—ripe with potential, it’s an endless array of flavor combinations. Each bite affords a new experience—tender, sweet shrimp, rice bursting with saffron and spice, sausage exploding with bold, unrivaled flavor. Paella and tapas—those Spaniards do it right.

While tapas alone will comprise an amazing meal, Café Sevilla’s entrees are equally stunning. The Grilled Salmon a la Parrilla, one of several fusion-inspired dishes on the menu, has many a devoted fan. A generous portion of bright pink salmon sits atop a bed of diced tomatoes, kalamata olives, and verdant pesto sauce, accompanied by a wedge of a potato pie of sorts. The potato accompaniment is a flavorful surprise—layers of sliced potatoes, spinach, and cheese combine in a Spanish-tortilla-like dish. The salmon, however, steals the show, the moist, flaky meat mingling with lively pesto, tart tomatoes, and savory olives. It is so flavorful, so enjoyable, that I am tempted to eat the entire dish, even after an entire tapas course.

The same holds true for dessert. The Andaulcuan Apple Tart is evidently fresh, a flaky puff pastry delicately supporting a layer of slivered, roasted apples. A lush maple brandy syrup covers both the tart and the rest of the plate, and the aroma of maple and apples that wafts up makes us think it is morning. Each bite is outstanding—buttery, flaky pastry mingling with cooked apples and a sweet, complex sauce. An accompanying scoop of caramel gelato pushes the dish over the top. It is comforting, like French toast, and invigorating, rather than weighty.

Perhaps the lightness of dessert is intentional, as a Cafe Sevilla experience isn't over when the meal ends. Beneath the restaurant, the night club offers live shows, dancing, and music seven days a week. Flamenco guitarists start strolling through the tapas bar around 8:30, and the nightclub has a packed lineup: Sundays plus Tuesday through Thursdays offer free salsa-dancing lessons, Fridays and Saturdays offer Flamenco performance dinner shows, and Mondays feature local Spanish rock bands. After 10:00, the nightclub turns dance club, with live salsa bands during the week, and DJs on the weekends.

Café Sevilla is a tour through the best of Spanish culture. It is the only place in San Diego you’ll find Spain’s outstanding cuisine, alluring music, and captivating dancing under one roof. So what are you waiting for? A Spanish vacation is at your fingertips.

Hide Review

Copyright © Restaurant Agent Inc.


  Buy Online Gift Certificates

Buy restaurant gift certificates online and save 20%

The perfect gift for any occasion. It's Quick & Easy!


Reservations


Photos


Restaurant Info

  • Address: 353 5th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101
  • Cross Street: J Street
  • Location: Downtown | Gaslamp Quarter
  • Cuisine: Spanish |
  • Cost: $$ | Inexpensive | $25 - $50
  • Category: Fine Dining
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Dinner | Late |
  • Parking: Street |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover |
  • Corkage Fee: 15.00 | Per 750ml bottle.
  • Phone: (619) 233-5979

Business Hours

Monday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday
Main Dining Room | Brunch 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Dinner 4 p.m. - 11 a.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Features

  • Full Bar
  • Sunday Brunch
  • Late Dining
  • Catering Services
  • Live Entertainment
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Private Room
  • Takeout Available
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Valet Parking
  • Happy Hours
  • Personal Wines Allowed
  • Lounge / Bar
  • Healthy Options

Occasion

  • Child Friendly
  • Romantic Dining
  • Dining Alone
  • Business Dining
  • Meet for a Drink
  • People Watching
  • Special Occasion
  • Quick Bite
  • Trendy / Hip

 


F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

Cafe Sevilla has locations in San Diego, Long Beach and Riverside.
Every night in the tapas bar, Cafe Sevilla features live music and entertainment.
On Fridays and Saturdays, Cafe Sevilla is open until 1am for late night dining.

Menus

Brunch Buffet ($18.95)

  Sunday: 10:00am-2:00pm Includes one glass of champagne, mimosa, sangria or draft beer. This is a sample menu. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Breakfast Selections

Seafood Display

Hot Buffet

Salad Selection

Tapa Tastings

Dessert

Drink Specials

Happy Hour

  Served at the Tapas Bar daily: 4:00pm-7:00pm. This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Well Drinks

Pitchers

Empanadas

Tapas

Tapas Menu

  This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Fresh Tapas

Signature Tapas

Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

Deep Spain Tapas

Bocadillo Tapas Platter

Tapas Platters

Sevilla's Daily Baked Bread

Empanadas

Brochetas

Sides

Main Course

Paella

Flamenco Dinner Show Menu ($47.50)

  per person 3-course menu. Price includes two-part Flamenco Dance performance. Price does not include tax or gratuity. Reservations are required. Payment is required upfront and will be taken during the reservation process. Dinner begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.


First Course

Main Course

Dessert


Map

Restaurant Address: 353 5th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101

User Reviews

Spain in San Diego  

The atmosphere is great. The cafe is not so big that you feel ignored, but not so small that you feel cramped. The food was great. Try the paella, an authentic spanish dish.The tapas ba is another exciting place to be. The staff was excellent and the service was superb. You must visit Cafe Sevilla.

AN AUTHENTIC SPANISH EXPERIENCE  

I am a world traveled American and although not Spanish, I speak, read and write the language fluently and have traveled in and around Spain to visit friends. Having visited the Cafe Sevilla I found the the atmosphere, service, music and Flamenco dance show are absolutely authentic! I sampled many items! The appetizers, main courses, drinks and deserts are authentic and fabulously delicious!!! An incredible dining experience! The next best thing to visitng Spain! I even bought their music CD and it is super too!

test  

test

Fabulous Tapas!  

I travel to Spain quite a bit for business and found the tapas bar to be a great way to share my experiences in Spain with my husband! Food and service in the tapas bar was superb! Go early for great people watching and to get a good table ...

sunday tapas bar  

Me and my wife whent to sevilla because we were told how much fun it is and how good the food is. We whent on a sunday and the place was so bizzy we had to sit at the bar and eat. At first we were not happy about it yet once at the bar we had a great time. The staff and bartender were fist class he knew the wine menu very well and was able to help find a nice wine for use wich was great to try a spanish wine Emilo Moro and he made a great mojito. We liked it so much we stayed and and listend to the latenight music, which was Flamanco guitar, and gipsy kings when the live music wasnt playing. My favorit tapa is the queso fondito con chorizo it was great.

Tapas  

The restaurant is great and the tapas are excellent and the sangria royal, it's great.

Great Customer Service & Ambiance  

A couple weeks ago I had one of the best service experiences I’ve had in a long time. I decided to take my employees and some clients to Café Sevilla for a little work followed by a lot of fun. We were welcomed by the hostess whom directed us to the Tapas bar, where we started our night. After having a few drinks and enjoying the great ambiance, we went downstairs to the Club/ Banquet Room. My guests were impressed with the set-up of the room. I had asked the banquet coordinator to set up an imperial type table, with a screen and a projector for everyone to see. We had a quick presentation as we were enjoying the delicious Tapas (Gambas al Ajillo, Fried Calamari, Pinchos de Pollo, Tortilla de Papa…to name a few). Once the presentation was over, the fun began! We had a set menu, which still gave my guests different options. I need to emphasize the quality of the service, the food and the beverages. The Professional servers, bussers and bartenders where there for all our needs, and believe me, we are not easy people to please. To complement the wonderful food, we had great Spanish wines and pitchers of Sangria. The meal ended with coffee service and their delicious Crema Catalana (espresso crème brulee). After dinner, some of us decided to stick around for the Salsa Lessons and the live band…We had a great time! Needless to say we had a great experience and recommend Café Sevilla to everyone looking for a great time and exceptional customer service.

Great Food and Live Music  

We went in on a Thursday and had a great time in the Tapas Bar. The bartender was very helpful and knowledgeable about the wine selection. The Tapas, both hot and cold, were great. We had Pinchos, gambas al ajillo, calamari and many other wonderful tapas which were shared among our party of four. What was most surprising and delightful, however, was the amazing live music. Juanito and Fredi, who call themselves Malamana, were playing and singing the most passionate and high level flamenco and latin guitar music. Truly incredible! They were so graet that we came back on Friday night and had an equally graet experince with food, wine and live music with Malamana. I checked their websit, and they play Wed, Thurs, and Fri. in the Tapas Bar.--Don't miss it!

Wonderful!  

To sum up all that I can say about Cafe Sevilla I would have to say it is all around a wonderful place to go! From the moment you step in everyone makes you feel so welcome. You have to love sharing a pitcher of sangria with a variety of tapas with friends and family! The club is a really fun place to go as well with great salsa dancing (including lessons for those of us who aren't as experienced). I recommend this place to everyone!

Great Tapas w/ Guitarists to accompany them  

What can i say? The romantic sounds of spanish guitars compliment the tasty and yummy tapas! If you are in the mood for dinner, the ambiance in the formal area is a spanish getaway which includes traditional rod-iron lighting fixtures and hand painted murals. I would suggest trying the Striped Bass Canabrico because of its light, fresh taste. Sure the sweet, red sangria is always a hit yet try their white sangria with fresh fruits for a refreshing change. Keep up the great work, Sevilla ;o)

Thursday night dinner  

After searching the reviews, made a reservation for this fine restaurant. It was dark although not to distraction. A buddy and I had a couple of tapas and a couple of starters. The service and food was excellent. I would recommend this for the anyone and the prices were excellent. A dinner for two, getting a large amount of food was $70 including tip.

Excellent!  

Excellent!

outstanding  

What a great place. The service was excellent and the food was so good we could talk for the first five minutes, ever one kept saying "this is so so good!" I would highly recommend this place.

Great place  

The food was excellent and very reasonable for the location, quality, ambience, etc. Awesome flamenco downstairs too!

Best food since Valencia  

Best food since Valencia, Spain!

excellent restaurant  

excellent restaurant

Excellent food!  

Waiter had great ideas and choices. Service was quick and organized. Food was delivered straight from the kitchen staff. Although we ordered throughout, nothing seemed to take an unusually long time to arrive, even the paella, which was great.

Impressed  

So many places to choose from in the Gaslamp... So we're very glad we chose Sevilla. Wonderful ambience, very attentive service from both the waiter and host who sat us. Can't wait to go back. Have been recommending it to all!!!!

Memories of Barcelona  

Brought back memories of Barcelona ! Food was outstanding, good service and loved the music!

Awesome everything  

Loved everything definitely coming back to see the late night show

Loved it!  

Felt like having a night of apps and drinks with a friend.... VERY GOOD PLACE FOR THAT! Nice ambiance, delicious food and FABULOUS SANGRIA!!!!

Fun and Delicious  

Cafe Sevilla was a full-on entertainment dance show while eating great paella. There was so much food (which was good for a meal priced about $25) that I had to take it home and enjoy it again the next day. The dancers were fun to watch and, to our surprise, our meal ended with the majority of the bottom floor of the restaurant turning into a dance club. Great way to burn off the calories from dinner. The restaurant is extremely romantic with lots of 2-person table seating and indoor balcony-type settings. The services was good, but not superb, and the servers were all very friendly and helpful in choosing what to eat. I would definitely go again when craving that paella!

Good experience  

I have to said that it was a good experience, but we had reservations and the table wasnt ready yet, so we had to wait. The portions were ok, but not if you order "brochetas" they are too small.

What A Night  

So I’ve been waiting almost a month to write this review. Ten friends and I went to see Wicked a few blocks from the restaurant and walked there. We were a few minuets late getting to the restaurant but upon arrival our seats were already ready and service was fast. This was for the most of us our first time in an authentic Spanish restaurant and the waitress was very helpful in helping everyone decide what to order. We started with both the platters which were delicious but probably a little overpriced for the amount of food on it; then again my people like to eat. The music was great however a little loud. Overall all the food was fantastic, some a little expensive but the experience was one we'll never forget. The staff and our waitress were extremely timely, professional and friendly. You'll definently see me there again.

Good times  

It's a great place to take a date. Nice atmosphere, good music and fantastic food. Had a great time can't wait to go back.

Viva Cafe Sevilla  

Entertaining as always. Fun place, great atmosphere, good dancing.

Good Food, Great Staff, Expensive...  

We live downtown and eat out often, this was our first time at Cafe Sevilla. Staff was excellent, food was very good. Dinner was expensive. $134 for dinner for two with one drink each......

Until the next time!  

I've never been disappointed by Cafe Sevilla--the food, service, and ambiance is stellar!

Sevilla's  

Food and sangria were outstanding! Too many people piling up at the bar and still had to wait even though we had reservations. Service was good, tapas were very tasty. I would definitely come back. I just wish they would control the numerous obnoxious drunk people gathering at the bar. It seems out of control especially while people ate eating and waiter ate serving.

Enjoyable Experience  

Overall this restaurant was an enjoyable experience. The menu is wonderful, drink selection is solid, atmosphere is unique. Caters to tourism, wait staff could be a little friendlier. Overall enjoyed, would most likely return.

great restaraunt  

We went to Cafe Sevilla for my birthday. Their happy hour is a great deal with lots of choices for tapas. We loved their white sangria. Wonderful service and atmosphere. Would definetely cone back again!

Friday Night  

It was a great night. Enjoyed the music and food. Just horrible parking... couldn't find one nearby.

Ok, not the best  

My wife and I, visiting SD, chose Cafe Sevilla based on the reviews here. It seemed that the main concern was service, so we chose to have dinner early, which seemed to help somewhat. We ate in the restaurant side of the place (rather than the tapas bar), and the atmosphere was very nice -- simulating a starlit (and dark!) Spanish courtyard. The service was adequate, but somewhat sporadic, especially once the place started to get more crowded. Unfortunately, we were somewhat underwhelmed by the food. On the one hand, the mashed potatoes and the meatballs were fantastic and the dinner salad that we split was quite nice (with a very good dressing). On the other hand, the sauteed mushrooms were a bit overpowering in their garlic. I enjoyed (but wouldn't rave about) the shrimp croquettes, but my wife was very disappointed in the chicken in wine sauce. The potatoes with aioli were completely tasteless.

Great Spot!  

Enjoyed a few appetizers during happy hour which were good..the French fries are DELICIOUS, the quesadilla with Filet Mignon was alright, I don't usually eat red meat and could have saved the guilty pleasure for something more enjoyable. My date had the Salmon with Penne pasta, another delicious treat! The server was a little slow but the General Manager coming to the table, introducing himself totally made up for the hiccup in the service. Great spot when you don't want to over the top, good food and a relaxed environment!

Too much $$$$$ for what you get!  

The music was awesome but way overpriced!

It's just alright  

It's just alright. You can skip it and you wont miss anything. 

It was ok  

It was overpriced for what we received.

Bad Service--Good Food  

I made reservations for 14 for my birthday party. The host and hostess refused to keep enough tables reserved near me when a few of my guests arrived late. They claimed they were filling up and needed to seat other people. Despite my reservation they took one of the tables originally for my party and seated other people there. Meanwhile there was an entire banquet sized table with plenty of empty seating across the way, yet they refused to sit us there or make accomodations for us. They said we had to "squeeze in" to one small table. It was very hot and stuffy inside the restaurant and this forced some couples to not be able to sit next to each other. The waitress got my drink order wrong, took a long time in taking orders, let glasses pile up on the table and left glasses sitting empty. We had to request a wine list and then wait 15 minutes to get it. They shuffled us out quickly and generally did not treat one member of my party with respect. The food was delicious when it finally arrived, but not good enough to bear being treated so badly. I'll never go back.

Poor service  

I made a reservation for 2 and when got there there was no table available. I waited for more than 50 minutes. They claimed they were filling up and needed to seat other people. There were other people like me. Despite their reservations they were waiting for long time.

Really Really Bad Service  

I had some friends visiting from L.A. we went to a Padres game downtown then afterwards waited for 2 hours before getting a table. The manager on duty was not helpful at all and had quite an attitude. When we got in there were a lot of empty tables. The only reason why I stayed was that my friends from L.A. wanted Spanish food. I don't even remember how the food was but, I would not recommend that restaurant to anyone. My wife complained to their corporate headquarters and told them how we waited for so long when there were tables available. Their corporate headquarters were actually really helpful and investigated the situation and found out there were other complaints that night. The manager that night sent my wife an e-mail apologizing for his attitude and saying he was having personal problems. I don't recommend this restaurant.

Bad service - mediocre food  

This restaurants has to be one of the worst places I have ever eater. The paella was as plastic as the bull hanging on the wall and the fake cheese and sausage hanging over the bar. Our waitress was ok, but the other staff were rude and confrontational. When my wife asked what the price of her drink was from the bartender, he told her the price and then said that if she wanted something cheaper, she could go to McDonald's or Tijuana. Needless to say, I will never go there again.

Too snobby  

If you like poor service topped with lots of attitude, then please go this restaurant. The only good experience I had at Cafe Sevilla in San Diego was the food was good. But don't order a soda, they will only serve you carbonized colored water. Apparently, soda/fountain drinks are not their forte either.

Dinning  

Not good. Dont waste your time!

Diners beware of the "Jamon Iberico"!  

This establishment is commiting fraud everytime they sell a plate of supposed "Jamon Iberico"!!! I am a foodie and a connoisseur of fine charcuterie. I made the mistake of entering this distasteful and unquestionably corporate eatery and ordering their $27 "Jamon Iberico" plate. When the food arrived I was appalled by what was presented to me as authentic Jamon Iberico; IT WAS JAMON SERRANO! I could instantly tell that it wasn't the real deal by the marblization(or lack thereof), aroma, color, taste and salt content.

I immediately brought this to the waiters attention and he insisted that it was the real thing. He even offered to put me at ease by bringing me a slice of their "Jamon Serrano". Upon sampling the ham I was even more disgusted by the sheer audacity of this place! He served me a cold slice of Italian Prosicutto ham! THEY ARE SELLING COMMON PROSICUTTO AS SERRANO! When I called him on this and demanded to be shown the so called Jamon Iberico, the producers label and the Denomination of Origin seal he quickly offered to remove the offending item from my bill in exchange for me not asking anymore questions! I demanded that he remove the Jamon from my bill, quickly paid and proceeded to the back of the house to have a discussion with the young man tasked with cutting the Jamones. He agreed with me that It was not Jamon Iberico de Bellota but was indeed Iberian jamon. He would not tell me the exact name or brand of jamon they were serving and appeared to be uncomfortable with being put on the spot. Serrano ham is a product of Spain and therefore qualifies as a product of the Iberian peninsula.

Cafe Sevilla is obviously capitolizing on the whole "Tapas" trend and the unsophisticated palates of countless tourists, service members and locals who lack options in authentic Spanish cuisine or much experience. Jamon Serrano sells for around $25 per pound while Jamon Iberico de Bellota sells for around $100 per pound. It doesnt take a genius to figure out what's going on at this unscrupulous and disreputable establishment. To add insult to injury they slice the Jamon on a common coldcut slicer, the slices are far to thick to be enjoyable and the temperature is to low to allow for the fat to soften and the bouquet of the meat to peak. If you do feel compelled to order the Jamon plate please insist that it be cut tableside and by hand. Look for the black hoof and ask to be shown the Denomination of Origin seal which should be branded into the side of the Jamon and hanging just beneath the hoof.

Rate This Business

Please rate your experience on scale 0-10, with 10 being the high rating.

Overall Experience


Food


Service


Ambience


Value


Review