The worst paella ever! It doesn't even come close. Add soy sauce and it's fried rice.
We drove into SD late and looked for a restaurant close to our hotel. As lovers of Spanish food we had high hopes. We asked for a table for two but outside since the live music in side was ridiculously loud and over powering any chance of shouting in the ear of the person next to you. When we were seated outside the stench of pine-sol and bleach from whatever they or the place next door used to clean up god knows what on the sidewalk was so overpowering we asked if there was a quiet table upstairs away from the music. We really should have left and had street tacos somewhere. But we wanted to give it a chance. Even upstairs in the corner we could barely hear each other. There's nothing wrong with live music but when your vocalist is screeching into the mic because the musicians are so loud...it's time for a sound check.
We ordered the paella to split and it arrived about 12 minutes after we ordered. Just looking at it we knew it wasn't going to be a traditional Valencia paella. Not even a whiff of saffron. They fake the socarrat by burning some rice at the bottom of the pan, add pre-cooked over salted rice on top of that. Then top it off with pre-cooked shrimp, squid, a single chicken thigh, 6 mussels and clams. The shrimp were so over cooked they had the texture of a brittle rubber band. Two of the mussels weren't open. We basically moved everything around finished our Txakoli and bolted. It's so infuriating to pay for bad food and a shame if someone orders paella for the first time and think that this is what it supposed to taste like. Nope.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Alessandro Francis
This place has such an easygoing vibe that it's hard not to enjoy yourself. The food was full of flavor, every drink was mixed really well, and everything came together for a fantastic night out. We ended up staying longer than planned because the atmosphere was so welcoming. It's the kind of restaurant you immediately start recommending to friends. I'm already looking forward to my next visit because experiences like this are hard to find.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexis McElveen
Karina was our waitress and she was amazing, she had great menu recommendations and very infectious energy, so so nice! Definitely recommend the beef empanadas (better than the chorizo and cheese), spicy octopus ceviche, tortilla Espanola (add short rib!!!!), and of course paella! If you get squid ink paella I definitely recommend getting the garlic aioli with it!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olivia Thompson
The octopus and the shrimp ceviche were amazing, super fresh and love the bread to soak up the lime juice! The asada skewer was also flavorful and quality meat, great live music and our server Luis was above and beyond!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danielle DiCarlo
I am very disappointed with my experience at this restaurant. I was served chicken that appeared to be raw. Additionally, the server dropped part of a dish onto the floor when bringing it over, and his response was dismissive, saying it was only one piece. Although they ended up leaving some chicken and bringing a new one over.
A plate also fell and hit me on the head, and instead of checking on me or apologizing, the staff questioned why I picked something up from the table. On top of this, the server was inattentive throughout the meal, and the food was not good.
Due to the poor service, and lack of concern, I cannot recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Pamela L
Cafe Sevilla has been a fixture in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter since 1987, long before many of today's trendy restaurants arrived. While much of Fifth Avenue has evolved over the years, Sevilla has retained its old-world Spanish charm, making it feel like a classic destination that has stood the test of time.
The menu focuses on authentic Spanish cuisine, including a wide selection of tapas, paellas, grilled seafood, steaks, sangria, and Spanish wines. Years ago dance groups would gather to practice their Flamenco dancing here in the evenings making it a very lively and fun place.
I do think it's a bit overpriced for what you receive, but if you're visiting San Diego and want to experience authentic Spanish tapas while exploring the Gaslamp Quarter, Cafe Sevilla is still worth considering. Sometimes there's something comforting about a place that stays true to itself while everything around it changes.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Fan Fro
This restaurant had many great choices. We came in early for dinner and pleasantly found a happy hour lots of great drinks mocktails and reasonably priced tapas options. We were able to watch the World Cup on TV and learned that they had flamingo dancing later in the evening. Beautiful restaurant, walking distance from the convention center, conveniently located in the gaslamp district of San Diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ed S
Alexandro os a freaking boss . Thank you for the fantastic service!!!🍺🍻
Jeanmarie
I was so disappointed. I sat at the bar. It wasn't busy. I sat there for 25 minutes. Nobody said a word to me. The bartender walked by several times didn't acknowledge me. Then he would go back and talk to someone else who worked there. I finally went back out to the hostess and asked to be seated at a table since I was not being helped at the bar. She sat me upstairs. The service there was fine. Nothing extraordinary. Food was delicious. Its a bummer service is terrible now. There are so many places to go with much better service.
Ailin Vargas
Bartender woman (Alena) from 7/13 during PM shift yelled at us for sitting at the bar so we went to the other side with the guy bartender. I went to refresh at the ladies room and had a private conversation with my friend. The bartender woman went from the restroom to my partner downstairs and offered him a free drink telling him we do not deserve him and spoke very poorly about us. I come here often since I have friends working at the restaurant for YEARS. It was the worse experience with that woman on my birthday. I hope she get fired and management educates her on doing her job. I never thought I had an awful experience at this place.
We had a corporate event here and they were great! Food, service, everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Faith Louise
We love this place! Alex showed us much Aloha! Highly recommended! We will be back!
MATTHEW Romero
We got the pan tomate, truffle potato chips, the carne platter, tuna crudo, the taste of Spain, and the churros con chocolate. I wish I could have tried more!!!! It was excellent!
Brian Telfer
Small private reception with a hot bar of appetizers. Outstanding flavors.
Stacia
Alex was the best bartender! Got us right all night! Fast great experience!!!!
The worst paella ever! It doesn't even come close. Add soy sauce and it's fried rice.
We drove into SD late and looked for a restaurant close to our hotel. As lovers of Spanish food we had high hopes. We asked for a table for two but outside since the live music in side was ridiculously loud and over powering any chance of shouting in the ear of the person next to you.
When we were seated outside the stench of pine-sol and bleach from whatever they or the place next door used to clean up god knows what on the sidewalk was so overpowering we asked if there was a quiet table upstairs away from the music. We really should have left and had street tacos somewhere. But we wanted to give it a chance. Even upstairs in the corner we could barely hear each other. There's nothing wrong with live music but when your vocalist is screeching into the mic because the musicians are so loud...it's time for a sound check.
We ordered the paella to split and it arrived about 12 minutes after we ordered. Just looking at it we knew it wasn't going to be a traditional Valencia paella. Not even a whiff of saffron.
They fake the socarrat by burning some rice at the bottom of the pan, add pre-cooked over salted rice on top of that. Then top it off with pre-cooked shrimp, squid, a single chicken thigh, 6 mussels and clams. The shrimp were so over cooked they had the texture of a brittle rubber band. Two of the mussels weren't open. We basically moved everything around finished our Txakoli and bolted. It's so infuriating to pay for bad food and a shame if someone orders paella for the first time and think that this is what it supposed to taste like. Nope.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
This place has such an easygoing vibe that it's hard not to enjoy yourself. The food was full of flavor, every drink was mixed really well, and everything came together for a fantastic night out. We ended up staying longer than planned because the atmosphere was so welcoming. It's the kind of restaurant you immediately start recommending to friends. I'm already looking forward to my next visit because experiences like this are hard to find.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Karina was our waitress and she was amazing, she had great menu recommendations and very infectious energy, so so nice! Definitely recommend the beef empanadas (better than the chorizo and cheese), spicy octopus ceviche, tortilla Espanola (add short rib!!!!), and of course paella! If you get squid ink paella I definitely recommend getting the garlic aioli with it!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The octopus and the shrimp ceviche were amazing, super fresh and love the bread to soak up the lime juice! The asada skewer was also flavorful and quality meat, great live music and our server Luis was above and beyond!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am very disappointed with my experience at this restaurant. I was served chicken that appeared to be raw. Additionally, the server dropped part of a dish onto the floor when bringing it over, and his response was dismissive, saying it was only one piece. Although they ended up leaving some chicken and bringing a new one over.
A plate also fell and hit me on the head, and instead of checking on me or apologizing, the staff questioned why I picked something up from the table. On top of this, the server was inattentive throughout the meal, and the food was not good.
Due to the poor service, and lack of concern, I cannot recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Cafe Sevilla has been a fixture in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter since 1987, long before many of today's trendy restaurants arrived. While much of Fifth Avenue has evolved over the years, Sevilla has retained its old-world Spanish charm, making it feel like a classic destination that has stood the test of time.
The menu focuses on authentic Spanish cuisine, including a wide selection of tapas, paellas, grilled seafood, steaks, sangria, and Spanish wines. Years ago dance groups would gather to practice their Flamenco dancing here in the evenings making it a very lively and fun place.
I do think it's a bit overpriced for what you receive, but if you're visiting San Diego and want to experience authentic Spanish tapas while exploring the Gaslamp Quarter, Cafe Sevilla is still worth considering. Sometimes there's something comforting about a place that stays true to itself while everything around it changes.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
This restaurant had many great choices. We came in early for dinner and pleasantly found a happy hour lots of great drinks mocktails and reasonably priced tapas options. We were able to watch the World Cup on TV and learned that they had flamingo dancing later in the evening. Beautiful restaurant, walking distance from the convention center, conveniently located in the gaslamp district of San Diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandro os a freaking boss . Thank you for the fantastic service!!!🍺🍻
I was so disappointed. I sat at the bar. It wasn't busy. I sat there for 25 minutes. Nobody said a word to me. The bartender walked by several times didn't acknowledge me. Then he would go back and talk to someone else who worked there. I finally went back out to the hostess and asked to be seated at a table since I was not being helped at the bar. She sat me upstairs. The service there was fine. Nothing extraordinary. Food was delicious. Its a bummer service is terrible now. There are so many places to go with much better service.
Bartender woman (Alena) from 7/13 during PM shift yelled at us for sitting at the bar so we went to the other side with the guy bartender. I went to refresh at the ladies room and had a private conversation with my friend. The bartender woman went from the restroom to my partner downstairs and offered him a free drink telling him we do not deserve him and spoke very poorly about us. I come here often since I have friends working at the restaurant for YEARS. It was the worse experience with that woman on my birthday. I hope she get fired and management educates her on doing her job. I never thought I had an awful experience at this place.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a corporate event here and they were great! Food, service, everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We love this place! Alex showed us much Aloha! Highly recommended! We will be back!
We got the pan tomate, truffle potato chips, the carne platter, tuna crudo, the taste of Spain, and the churros con chocolate. I wish I could have tried more!!!! It was excellent!
Small private reception with a hot bar of appetizers. Outstanding flavors.
Alex was the best bartender! Got us right all night! Fast great experience!!!!
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