In Seville, coffee is so much more than a drink. Drinking coffee is more of a cultural and social experience in this enchanting Spanish city, though locals do love a caffeine fix as much as the rest of us! You’ll know from my Spain food tours that Spaniards are passionate about their wine and beer, but they’re also well-versed in quality coffee.
What Makes Coffee in Seville Unique?
Coffee and community go hand-in-hand in Seville, so you’ll often spot locals sipping on fresh brews while chatting, mingling, and people-watching. That said, taste is equally important, and over time, there’s been a greater emphasis on specialty cafés, local roasters, and premium beans.
Spanish Coffee Styles to Know Before You Order
Numerous types of coffee are available in Seville, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the most typical varieties ahead of your trip.
- Café solo – Akin to an espresso, this drink consists of a shot of hot black coffee
- Cortado – A balanced coffee with equal parts espresso and steamed milk
- Café con leche – Similar to a latte, café con leche is made from an equal mix of black coffee and hot milk
- Café manchado – Known as a ‘stained coffee,’ this drink is comprised of steamed milk with a dash of espresso
It’s worth noting that iced coffees (café con hielo) are becoming increasingly common in Seville during the summer months, but they may not be an option in all coffee shops. Something else you’ll find in select cafés is decaffeinated coffee (café descafeinado), though it’s usually harder to come by in traditional haunts.
The Art of Coffee and Breakfast in Seville (Desayuno)
The only way to start your morning in Seville is with a coffee-fuelled breakfast! Whether you’re an early riser or prefer to enjoy your first meal of the day a little later, a hearty cup of joe is an integral part of a Sevillian breakfast, known locally as ‘desayuno.’
Many people start their day with a café con leche and some tostada, a quintessential Spanish dish consisting of toasted bread and crushed tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and salt. If you prefer something sweeter, consider switching to churros, magdalenas, or tortas de aceite.
When and Where Locals Drink Their Coffee
If you notice one thing about Seville’s coffee culture and the habits among locals, it’s that Sevillanos love a brew at pretty much any time of day! While breakfast-time coffees are a must, many people also reach for a cup of joe around mid-morning or, as part of their merienda, a late afternoon meal.
Cafés are peppered throughout the city, but some of my favorite places to sip coffee are at lively plazas, near landmarks like Las Setas, or in marketplaces like Mercado de Triana.
How to Order Coffee in Seville
Before you arrive in Seville, there are a few things to keep in mind when ordering coffee.
- Syrups or cream-filled coffees aren’t typical in Spanish cafés, with most locals preferring simplistic, paired-back varieties.
- Some cafés offer takeaway cups, but in Seville, coffee is generally taken at a relaxed pace while sitting down.
- Sugar sachets are usually available at the bar, allowing you to sweeten your coffee to your liking.
- Try to learn some key phrases ahead of time, such as ‘un cortado/café con leche, por favor’ (one cortado/coffee with milk, please) and ‘un descafeinado de máquina’ (a machine-brewed decaf coffee).
Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in Seville
Photo credit: Coffee Up
Seville has some incredible coffee shops, and some I can’t recommend enough include:
- Virgen Coffee – A grab-and-go specialty café near Plaza de la Encarnación.
- MUY Coffee – This cozy coffee shop whips up some sensational brews, best teamed with their dreamy banana bread.
- Coffee Up – Secure beans from all over the world at this quirky espresso bar.
- Jester Coffee – Team your coffee with a smoothie bowl or baked treat in this homely venue.
Exploring Plant-Based and Milk Options
Milk plays a huge role in Seville’s coffee scene, as it can significantly alter the taste, texture, and temperature of your brew. Although cow’s milk is the go-to choice for traditional coffees, plant-based alternatives are steadily gaining popularity.
Oat, almond, soy, and coconut milk are among the most widely available vegan-friendly options, and you’ll find many of them in spots like Hispalis Café, Selva Coffee, and Kioscoffee Sevilla.
Seville Orange-Flavored Coffee: A Local Twist
If there’s one product Seville is known for, it’s juicy, sour oranges. As such, orange-flavored coffee has become a popular drink in the Andalusian capital. In some cases, orange zest is blended with the beans, but the flavor can also be imparted by using dried orange peel during the brewing process.
Coffee served in Turkish style, in a French press, or even as an espresso is delicious when infused with orange, resulting in an aromatic, citrusy brew.
Sweet Companions: What to Eat With Your Coffee
There’s no better pairing than a bitter Seville coffee and a saccharine snack. Some must-tries include rosquillas, a type of sugar-covered doughnut; tortas de aceite, which are crispy seeded biscuits; and polvorones, a kind of Spanish shortbread treat. During the cooler months, these go especially well with a milky cortado or café con leche.
Should you prefer something less sweet, pint-sized sandwiches and savory pastries are tasty alternatives.
Final Thoughts: A Cultural Ritual in Every Cup
Enjoy Seville coffee like a Sevillano, embracing the slower pace of life, community aspect, and quality roasts. For a complete experience, be sure to leave room in your itinerary for plenty of café stops!
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee in Seville
Can I find chai matcha lattes or vegan options?
Chai and matcha lattes often feature on menus in contemporary cafés but are not typical in old-school joints. The same goes for plant-based milk, although these have become easier to find in Seville’s coffee shops in recent years.
Is takeaway common, or should I dine in?
Some Seville coffee shops offer takeaway cups, though this isn’t necessarily the case for all cafés.
What’s tipping etiquette at a café in Triana or Calle San Jacinto?
Tipping isn’t expected in cafés in Seville, but you may wish to round up the final price if you’d like to show your appreciation.
Sources:
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Spain Food Tours. Eating Europe. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/spain/
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Virgen Coffee, Seville: Reviews & info. Tripadvisor. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187443-d7993107-Reviews-Virgen_Coffee-Seville_Province_of_Seville_Andalucia.html
Muy Coffee. (n.d.). Cafetería Sevilla. Muy Coffee. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://muycoffee.com/cafeteria-sevilla/
CoffeeUp. (n.d.). CoffeeUp: Specialty coffee shop, Seville. CoffeeUp. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from http://www.coffeeup.es/
Jester Coffee & Juices. (n.d.). Jester Coffee & Juices: Seville café. Jester Coffee & Juices. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://jester-coffee.com/
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Hispalis Café, Seville: Reviews & info. Tripadvisor. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187443-d25255567-Reviews-Hispalis_Cafe-Seville_Province_of_Seville_Andalucia.html
Selva Coffee. (n.d.). Selva Coffee [Instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/_selvacoffee/?hl=en
Kioscoffee. (n.d.). Kioscoffee Sevilla. Kioscoffee. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://kioscoffee.com/
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