Waiters in black-and-white uniforms, walls plastered with pictures of the Virgin Mary and a dark, beamed ceiling all contribute to La Fresquita’s aged allure. Jostle up to the bar or lean on the wall-mounted shelves outside to sip cañas, nibble on tapas and people watch. It’s a perfect spot for snacks or a light lunch if you’re exploring Santa Cruz, but not so much for dinner as it doesn’t serve raciones (main courses).

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La Fresquita is a tiny bar near the tourist walk opposite the cathedral and the palace but away on its own, decorated tip to tail with religious images and a great old-world vibe. You probably won’t find a place inside but they have lots of tables outside on a wide brick walkway that’s perfect for people watching. The food is quite good and you’ll find some less typical dishes here like sangre de pollo encebollada (chicken blood with onion).

Since La Fresquita opened in 1993, it has gradually become a local favorite. This small bar offers a hearty selection of tapas and other food options including montaditos (tapas-sized baguette sandwich) and charcuterie. Although you can also find a few traditional stews on the menu if your appetite is yearning for more, this place is known mostly as a spot for friends to meet up and grab a quick bite.

Take a stroll around one of the countless squares in El Centro, usually surrounded by bars, pretty restaurants and endless terraces. There are plenty of tapas bars in this area but one of our favourites is La Fresquita. Come early (around noon) or very late (after 10pm) to mix with real Sevillanos along the bar inside, or at the high folding tables hanging along the facade.

Pisto is like ratatouille, but with a Spanish chef in charge instead of the cartoon rat. It’s a classic veggie stew from La Mancha in central Spain; tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini… basically anything you want can go in a pisto!. My favourite in Seville is from the religious bar La Fresquita, a hidden gem near the Cathedral in the centre of town.

Opened over 25 years ago by Pepe and still run by him today, this bar (Calle Mateos Gago, 29) is dedicated to everything Semana Santa!. Stop by for a cold beer and a montadito and marvel at the collection of Semana Santa relics adorning the walls. The TV is always playing replays of processions and the incense is always burning.

La Fresquita, with its no-fuss exterior, might seem like any other tapas bar. But step in and be greeted by warm yellow hues and a love for tradition that reverberates around its four walls. It’s one of the most popular tapas bars in Seville, a fact underscored by locals frequenting the place throughout the day.

You'll find a coterie of local wine-lovers in this stand-up bar where gilded frames jostle for space on the walls - it's the textbook definition of a "busy hang". Its montaditos (small sandwiches) make for a tasty amuse-bouche, but if you're after something more substantial, head elsewhere.

Another old-school tapas bar with waiters in black-and-white uniforms, walls plastered with pictures of the Virgin Mary and a dark, beamed ceiling. Jostle up to the bar or lean on the wall-mounted shelves outside to sip cañas, nibble on tapas and people watch. View this post on Instagram

We often visit here on our Tapas & Flamenco Tour because La Fresquita allows you to discover the art of flamenco and Spanish gastronomy. It opens early in comparison to other restaurants in Seville. Doors reopen at 7.30 pm, so if you are looking for an early bite, this is your place.

And here in the Old Town, the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, La Fresquita (Calle Mateos Gago 29) is a particular lodestar. The top-quality libations as well as tapas like carne mechada (shredded beef in tomato sauce) are served amid a particularly cofrade décor.

It's not uncommon to hear processional music year round in La Fresquita, and incense is frequently burning. Plenty of pictures from Semana Santa, fino and cerveza, as well as a few (standing only) tables outside as the bar is a small one.

Some of the best local restaurants in Seville where locals dine are La Chalá for its fusion tapas with international flavors, Confitería la Campana for traditional pastries and coffee, and Casa Robles for refined Andalusian cuisine.

Start at one of either Bodega Fabiola or La Fresquita and go from there. There are still some free tapas bars at Seville but most do now charge for dishes. Still, the prices are very reasonable.