Viriato

Viriato on its small Old Town square. The church across the street adds to the setting.

When you've been in Seville for a few days, a predictable rhythm sets in: tapas and a caña of Cruzcampo, then more tapas and another caña. It's a good rhythm. It's Seville. But at some point you'll want a break from it, and that's when Viriato earns its place on the list.

The bar runs a proper gastropub format: nine taps with local and international beers, a wide selection of cans and bottles, wine, and the option of vermut if you want to go local without going Cruzcampo. The food menu is serious. Of all the craft beer spots we visited in Seville, Viriato had the best food. The pad thai chicken noodles were the high point of a menu with several strong options.

The bar: nine taps, warm light, and a room that fills up at a reasonable pace.

The space is warm and inviting in the way a good gastropub should be. Seating at the bar and at tables throughout the room, several TVs mounted for match coverage (on a game night, I suspect it gets lively). Weekday hours are evenings only, so plan accordingly.

The tap selection from another angle.

Viriato is next door to Gallo Rojo, a beer bar with live music every night on the same small street. Both sit on Calle Madre María de la Purísima, a quiet Old Town lane with a church across the square and the Alameda de Hércules about five minutes away. An evening that starts at one and moves to the other doesn't require any particular planning. It just requires showing up.