Restaurante Donaire Azabache — Restaurant in Seville

In London, we often come across misleading reviews where locals gatekeep the best restaurants by giving overrated scores to mediocre places (for example, Angus Steakhouse). This restaurant was rated 4.7 out of 5 and even awarded Travellers’ Choice Winner 2024. Based on that, I went with my wife expecting something special—but unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype. Personally, I would rate it no higher than 3.5.

For starters, we ordered artichokes, prawns, and ham stir-fry. For mains, we had the Galician beef entrecôte and the gratin codfish with garlic and tomato. The starters were fine, but nothing memorable. The beef entrecôte was very chewy and fatty. I ended up spitting out about a quarter of the meat because it was simply too tough and unpleasant to eat—not exactly ideal. Overall, it was a disappointment, and honestly not much better than the steaks you’d get at a pub in the UK.

As for the codfish, the tomato sauce didn’t pair well with the dish. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t remarkable either.

The service was mediocre at best. The waiter wasn’t rude, but he seemed distracted and eager for us to finish quickly and leave. His attitude felt cold and lacked the warmth and hospitality one would expect from a restaurant with a 4.7 rating.

This was the fifth restaurant I visited in Seville, and sadly, it was by far the worst. There are plenty of great restaurants in the city, but Donaire Azabache is not one of them. I wouldn’t recommend it to any...

Not one to leave bad reviews unless totally necessary. We booked a reservation at this restaurant and were greeted by a senior staff member named Capote. He acted like he didn't want us there and begrudgingly gave us a table outside. In hindsight, we should've just walked away and dined elsewhere.

The service just became worse, Capote was snarling at guests and younger staff members, just a really poor atmosphere in what is usually quite a pleasant setting. We waited nearly half an hour for drinks to arrive, then my partner's food was served without mine and no cutlery. Waiters ignored requests for cutlery, my meal was also undercooked and stone cold when it eventually arrived after my partner had finished hers.

Staff took a long time bringing the bill when asked and then tried to refuse giving change. We normally tip generously, but no chance were we leaving a tip here. The waiter Capote should rethink his career choice as he is unsuitable for a customer facing role or as a mentor for younger colleagues.

Totally catfished at this place with the apparent good online reviews. Stick to El Paseillo next door. Much nicer food at a much...

Despite its high rating, this place was the biggest culinary disappointment in Seville by an arm and a half. We were the first customers, preceding the second table by at least 20 minutes. We ordered Grilled Salmon, Lamb Chops, Honied Aubergines and Fries.

Within 5 minutes the Salmon came - only it was raw. The order was fixed and within 10 minutes we had a plate of grilled salmon. And nothing else. We waited for more than half an hour for the rest of the food, by which time the salmon was dead cold (p.s. we did not order tapas but a main course). In the meantime, ALL the other tables who came well after us were all served and eating. After a heated complaint, the rest of the food came within 5 minutes, and the salmon was reheated. No apologies or any form of compensation was given for the torture.

The Salmon: salty, comparable to anchovies in its saltiness. The Lamb: worst I ever had. Practically just bones with a thin sliver of meat no more than a cm of meat at the base of the rib.

Save yourself worries, pains and a half empty stomach and go to the adjacent restaurant El Paseillo, which has stellar...