Bodega Santa Cruz Las Columnas — Restaurant in Seville

Just when I thought Seville couldn't bewitch me any further, I stumbled upon Bodega Santa Cruz, a true gem tucked away in the heart of this Spanish belle. A quintessential Spanish bodega that radiates warmth, charm, and cheer, it's more than a mere restaurant; it's an experience that you'll carry with you, tucked in the corner of your heart, long after the taste of the tapas fades from your palate.

As soon as you step inside, the Bodega welcomes you with open arms. The whiff of sizzling garlic and the bustling chatter envelops you like a cozy blanket, making you feel right at home. The walls adorned with vintage photos, bullfighting memorabilia, and old wine casks tell stories of yesteryears, adding a touch of nostalgia to the atmosphere.

Oh, and the tapas! Their culinary prowess shines in their rich and diverse tapas menu. The espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas) is a flavorful fiesta that had me licking my fingers. The montaditos, a sandwich like no other, is a must-try – a symphony of flavors assembled with such simplicity that it humbles you. And don't even get me started on the salmorejo, a velvety tomato and bread soup that serves as the ultimate comfort food.

A true highlight of Bodega Santa Cruz is the corner table outside, a front-row seat to the lively ballet that unfolds on the streets of Seville. The best bit? You get to witness the hilarious parade of bewildered American dads in cargo pants, trying their best to corral their adventurous offspring. Each one seems to sport a unique mixture of determination, bewilderment, and sheer wonder at the cultural tapestry around them – an entertaining spectacle that adds a delightful spice to your meal.

Now for a pro-tip: Don't bother with a menu. Instead, trust the seasoned servers who know their tapas like the back of their hand. Let them surprise you, and you'll discover a culinary universe you never knew existed.

Here's a chuckle-worthy anecdote - meet Carlos, the affable restaurant owner. With a twinkle in his eye and a smile that could outshine the Spanish sun, he presides over Bodega Santa Cruz like a jolly king. One evening, Carlos waltzed over to our table and, with a flourish, presented a plate of what looked like crispy chicken nuggets. Skeptical but intrigued, I took a bite, only to have my taste buds explode with an unfamiliar yet delightful flavor.

"What do you think?" Carlos asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Delicious!" I responded, "Chicken?"

Carlos laughed heartily and shook his head. "Bull's tail, my friend! Welcome to Seville!" It was a classic bait-and-switch I didn't see coming, but oh, was it worth it.

Another pro-tip: Do try their house wine. It’s a splendid concoction that pairs perfectly with their tapas and elevates the whole experience.

In conclusion, Bodega Santa Cruz isn't just about food; it's a celebration of life, culture, and camaraderie that's deeply rooted in the Andalusian spirit. It's a place where stories unfurl, laughter echoes, and memories get etched in the tapestry of time. So, when in Seville, you simply must visit Bodega Santa Cruz. You’ll fall in love with the place, the food, and yes, even Carlos and his cheeky...

Avoid completely! Perfect candidate for a zero star review option. Terrible experience from start to finish. Went to this restaurant on a whim as we saw it cinsistently packed through the day and night and thought it must be good. How wrong we were. The place is utterly mobbed to the point people are fighting over tables and are having to go up to the bar for their food meaning people will be constantly reaching past and over you and the atmosphere of the place is reduced to a total din. The place itself is filthy as the volume of people only allows for the most cursory of wipe downs to prepare tables for the next customers and the decor and staff are conpletely charmless as well. Stood at the bar for over twenty minutes whilst being blatantly ignored by the staff who treat tourists with open contempt as mentioned in other reviews. It would appear local patrons also fall foul of this as I watched the female server writing out people's bills on the bar in pen with what sounded like heated discussion leading me to believe that it isnt just tourists that are overcharged for what they order. Attempted to order after asking for the menu to the female member of staff who is mentioned in nearly every negative review only to order and then to be told that the actual menu is a blackboard that lists which items are currently in stock. Ordered a few items from the fried food section (lagrimosa de pollo and the calamares) of the menu and the pork loin. The food appeared almost instantly and didn't even warrant taking a picture of as the pictures from other reviews are conpletely accurate. The chicken was standard fried chicken most likely store bought and deep frozen and the calamari turned out to be three shop bought breaded prawns with intestinal tracts still intact 🤢. Both these items were saturated in grease and were served with less than a handful of plain potato crisps and a minute amount of cheap mayonnaise making for a very bland plate. The pork loin was two slices of pork with two slices of potato. The final insult is the bill when you realise these plates average about four euros for what is easily one euros worth of food. What draws people to this place was completely lost on us and I can only beseech other tourists to avoid this place and go elsewhere. I won't give any reccomendations as I wholeheartedly believe you could go anywhere else in Seville and experience better quality food , better hospitality...

Disappointing Experience: Good Food Can't Mask Terrible Service

My recent visit to las columnas left me thoroughly unimpressed and unwilling to recommend this place to anyone. While I must admit the food was delicious, the overall experience was overshadowed by the bartender's rushed and rude demeanor.

From the moment I walked in, I felt unwelcome. The bartender barely acknowledged my presence and seemed disinterested in serving me. Despite the fact that I speak Spanish, I was met with indifference, as if I were an inconvenience. The staff clearly favored conversing with the native customers, leaving me feeling like an outsider.

The most significant issue was the bartender's attitude and behavior and the manner in which they rushed me was as if they just wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible to attend to other customers they found more valuable.

To be fair, the food itself was a saving grace. The chef clearly knows their way around the kitchen, and the flavors were undoubtedly impressive. However, even the most delicious dishes couldn't compensate for the dreadful service and disrespectful treatment.

In the end, I left feeling utterly disappointed and unappreciated. No matter how good the food may be, I cannot recommend this place to anyone due to the unpleasant and disrespectful atmosphere created by the bartender's poor attitude. A restaurant should be about more than just tasty dishes; it should also value and respect all customers equally, regardless of their background or language. Unfortunately, this establishment falls far short of those expectations, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth long after the meal...