One thing that you might already know, if you've been following our blogs, is that we were pleasantly surprised by the vegan food options in Seville. This Andalusian city enchanted us in so many ways, and every time we thought we'd had our minds blown by a stunning sight or a delicious plant-based meal, then something even greater came along! Some of my favourite places in Spain are in Seville, from the stunning Plaza de España where we had a really tranquil time watching a heron in the rain, to a really delicious vegan tapas bar that you can read about in our Top Places to Eat Vegan in Seville blog.
So we weren't just going to stop at one vegan eat in Seville; our first dish, Espinacas con Garbanzos, really surprised us by how delicious it was. So we were really excited to try something else in this vegan-friendly city, something authentically Spanish. Back home in the UK, this dish is probably the most well-known Spanish dish (after paella, of course) but it is almost impossible to find a vegan version. In fact, we still hadn't come across a vegan one during our time in Spain, so after we learned that this dish was readily available in plant based form in Seville, of course we ran straight there? And what is this dish that had our tastebuds tingling?
It's Tortilla Española, or Spanish Omelette!
But wait, what exactly is a tortilla in Spain?
Known by various names, including Spanish omelette, Tortilla Española, tortilla de patatas, and simply tortilla, this dish is a legendary part of Spanish cuisine. Usually as a tapas dish at room temperature (though you'll sometimes find it warm or cold) in that famous wedge shape, you'll also sometimes see tortilla as a starter or even a main course too! It is beloved here!
Unlike the egg-based omelette that many people are more familiar with, the Spanish omelette consists of potatoes, which are usually diced but sometimes sliced. These potatoes are mixed with beaten eggs, and the omelette is then cooked in that traditional circular shape. One of the biggest controversies with this dish is whether or not it should contain onions, a topic that has been hotly debated for centuries! Obviously, given that eggs are one of the two main ingredients, the traditional tortilla Española is not suitable for vegans. For vegetarians, though, tortillas without additional ingredients should all be good for you! However, for vegans, a little more time needs to be taken to locate a plant-based Spanish omelette: and the good news is that, if you're visiting Seville, we have done the hard work for you!
Where did we try a vegan Spanish omelette in Seville?
We headed to Veganitessen, which is located in the Mercado del Arenal food court. This place is really central, so if you're sightseeing in Seville you'll be able to really easily fit it into your plans! Though we also ate vegan tortilla at another vegan eatery in Seville (learn more about this in our Top Places to Eat Vegan in Seville blog!) we chose Veganitessen for this blog because of their impressive tortilla menu! Not only do they serve a traditional tortilla, they also offer a range of different toppings for extra flavour!
Veganitessen itself is a really friendly and inclusive eatery. With plenty of undercover bench seating, the atmosphere is vibrant and social, while being comfortably out of the legendary Seville heat! It's important to note the opening hours if you're visiting to try their famous tortilla though: even though the bar is open from 10:30am - 3:30pm, tortilla is only available from 1pm. If you are a little early, like we were though, why not take advantage of their drinks menu (or some other snacks) and hang out for a little while until it is tortilla time!
So come on - tell us all about the tortilla! How did it taste?
We ordered three types of tortilla Española, to sample a variety of their flavours. There were so many different flavours on the menu we wanted to try! We picked the Clasica (of course), the Picantona, and the Gourmet. The Clasica was pretty dense and maybe a little on the dry side. It was definitely very potato-heavy, and we were glad to have the mayo that was served alongside it! It was very flavoursome though; thick, tasty, and very well seasoned! It was a solid Spanish omelette that provided a great base for all the other varieties. Though it contained onion you couldn't really taste it: a great compromise for both the pro- and anti-onion camps, perhaps?
After trying the Tortilla Clasica we moved onto the Picantona and the Gourmet, and this is where things really got exciting! The Picantona was topped with a melty vegan cheese slice, which was impressively flavoursome, and some vegan chorizo. The chorizo had a mince-like texture, but with a spicier flavour, and the hot sauce added a pleasant kick. Overall, the toppings provided an exciting enhancement to the original tortilla. The Gourmet, on the other hand, used a different kind of cheese, which was even more delicious! The vegan bacon on top was soft and really tasty, and the mayo added that extra touch of flavour and texture: it was honestly so moreish... it we hadn't been very full of potato by this point we would have been very tempted to order another!
How much did the Spanish omelette cost - and was it worth it?
A slice of tortilla is generally something you would order as a tapa, with other dishes alongside it. However, if you're in the mood for a light lunch, a slice of Veganitessen's tortilla, which comes with a salad garnish on the side, might even be enough for you. The tortillas are individually priced: the Clasica cost €3.50 per slice (approx. £3.02 or $3.82), while the Picantona and Gourmet tortillas cost €4.75 per slice (approx. £4.10 or $5.19), in light of the fancier toppings.
We were really impressed by the food at Veganitessen, and wish we'd had time to try more! While I slightly preferred the tortilla we ate at Vegan Rock, the ones here at Veganitessen were solid and offered so much variety to suit all different tastes. I was particularly intrigued by the pickle tortilla! So if you're in Seville we'd absolutely recommend checking out Veganitessen, and giving their tortilla a try! To hear about the other Spanish tortilla - and even more dishes - that we tried in Seville, check out our Top Places to Eat Vegan in Seville blog!
Have you tried vegan tortilla in Spain? Or elsewhere in the world! Where did you go and what did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.
Recommendations
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Where should I stay?
After our trip to Barcelona, we were relieved to discover that accommodation is much more affordable in Andalusia! Seville is full of quaint hotels with great reputations, at reasonable prices. One of these is the family-run Hotel Goya, which offers private, en-suite accommodation in a traditional Andalusian building, only metres from the cathedral and Alcazar! For even more affordability, there are lots of great hostels in Seville. New Samay Hostel is really highly rated across the board, and are particularly known for their modern facilities, excellent staff, location, and cleanliness. A great place to make friends!
Tours & Experiences
While you're in Andalusia, you absolutely have to go to a flamenco show! This traditional art form came from the villages of the region, and is particularly famous here both for its history and its quality! This flamenco show gets consistently high ratings, is choreographed by legendary flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos, and is set in the Flamenco Dance Museum, so is definitely one of the best and most authentic performances to see.
There's so much to see and do in Seville though, so if flamenco isn't for you, why not check out some of the top-rated Viator tours displayed in the widget on the left!
Please note that the tours displayed on the left are automatically selected for their popularity by Viator, not chosen or recommended by us. Please check whether any food or drink based tours are suitable for your dietary requirements, and any animal-based experiences are ethical, before booking!
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