Bar Taquilla — Restaurant in Seville

This is a family owned bar just across Adriano Street from Seville's famous bullring. The decoration is very Hemingway. The walls are covered with pictures of famed matadors and bulls in action. There is even a bull's head hanging over the door leading to the kitchen. Three afable brothers run the place now that their parents have retired.

I go back a long way with these guys. We were costaleros together in one of the brotherhoods that organize the processions at Easter. The costaleros are the men who carry the large floats and they are much loved in Seville. Friendships between costaleros tend to last a lifetime.

The Bar Taquilla was the informal office for our leader (capataz in Spanish), a retired military officer. We all gathered around to hang on his every word. He was like a father to us. He passed away earlier this year. I still feel his presence in the bar. I miss him. We all do. His name was Rafael Palacios.

I have lived in Seville for 27 years. I can't remember more than a week going by without dropping by for a coffee or a tapa with the brothers. It has to be one of the more authentic spots in the city.

The coffee is delicious. I drink a cortado. That's an espresso with just a bit of hot milk. Always amazing. I like to drop by to have a few tapas before heading home for lunch. I get a beer or a tinto de verano (red wine with a lemon-favored soda).

The tapas for each day are written in chalk but I know them off by heart. I love the tender cuttlefish in parsley and olive oil. Or the fingers of chicken with aioli. In summer they'll offer salmarejo, a thicker version of gazpacho with bits of bellota ham on top. Everything is always delicious.

I'll always know people at the bar for someone to chat with. I'll catch up with the brothers and ask after their parents' health. They follow me on Instagram so they know where I've just been. The atmosphere is so familiar, so much a part of my remarkable life in Seville.

It is often difficult to find authentic when you travel. This is the real Seville. Drop by for some tapas. Ask for the brothers. Tell them that Gary sent you. Chances are I might even be there and...

Great coffee, a nice place to sit, tíos enjoying their morning coffee; and bull imagery framed on the wall - with a nice view out onto the street. You can tell it’s locally loved - and with tasty, affordable coffee, you really can’t fault it. I wanted to come here for tostadas as I’ve heard they’re very good here, however we were a...

Great restaurant! Manuel, our waiter, was superb with his recommendations for tapas and plated foods. The chocolate with almond ice dessert was to die for. Best food and prices so far on our Spanish vacation. You won’t be disappointed. Great local food, prices, not to mention the...