What to eat and drink at the Seville April Fair

At the Seville April Fair, people mostly eat fried fish, ham, potato omelette and seafood, and drink manzanilla and rebujito. Everything is served in the marquees at the Real de la Feria, in Los Remedios: most of them are private, but in the public marquees you can eat without an invitation. Here you have what to eat at the April Fair, what time do we eat and where.

The night of the pescaíto: the first dinner of the Feria

The Fair begins with a dinner. The night before the illumination, known as the night of the fish, partners, families, and friends gather in their booths around fish fryers before the marquee lights are turned on at midnight. According to the City Council, the dinner also includes sausages and cheeses, and beer, mulled wine, and fine wine are served. In 2026 it was Monday, April 20, and the Fair lasted from the 21st to the 26th; you can find the summary of that edition here. April Fair 2026 guide.

What to eat at the Feria de Abril: the dishes in the marquees

Fried fish is the dish that is most associated with the Feria, to the point of giving its first night its name. It usually includes anchovies, squid, adobado bonito, pijotas or puntillitas, and is eaten freshly fried.

The table is also usually not lacking in Iberian ham and loin, potato tortilla, cheese, shrimp or langostine, and montaditos. These are dishes to share, easy to serve and to nibble on while chatting and dancing to Sevillanas. If you are interested in other dishes from the region, you can find them here. Typical Andalusian dishes.

Rebujito and manzanilla: what to drink at the Fair

Manzanilla is a fair classic. According to Regulating Council for Jerez and Manzanilla wines, it is a fortified wine made from Palomino grapes that is aged exclusively in wineries in Sanlúcar de Barrameda under a veil of yeast, with an alcohol content of about 15 % vol., and is served very chilled, between 6 and 8 °C. It pairs well with fish and seafood, just what is on the table in a marquee.

The rebujito is prepared in a jar with manzanilla, lime soda or sparkling water, mint leaves and plenty of ice; this is the recipe published by the Regulatory Council of Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda, It presents it as the protagonist of the Feria de Sevilla. It refreshes and is easy to drink, but it does contain alcohol: it is best to drink it slowly throughout the day. There is also beer and soft drinks in the booths. If you are interested in the world of sherry, we have a detailed article about it. Sherry and flamenco.

What time do people eat at the Fair

At the Fair, you eat and snack throughout the day, and the night stretches on: most days the stands stay open until around 3:00 a.m. To finish, some people have chocolate with donuts or churros; in the fairgrounds the city council counts 7 chocolaterias and 6 churrerías.

Where to eat at the Fair without an invitation

If you don't know any partners, there are the public kiosks where you can enter without an invitation and without paying an entrance fee; the food and drinks are ordered and paid for like in a bar. In 2026 there were seven municipal district kiosks, in addition to others from political parties, unions, and organizations, with fried fish, ham, tortilla, croquettes, or flamenquin on the menu. Going at a less crowded time helps you find a seat.

Outside of Feria week, many of these dishes can be had in the city centre tapas bars; you have a selection in traditional tapas bars in Seville.

And if you want to see flamenco the Tablao Flamenco Las Setas live on your trip, located on the ground floor of the hotel, Metropol Parasol offers 60-minute shows without a break, featuring 8 artists, with daily passes at 18:00, 19:30, 21:00 and 22:30, and another at 16:30 on high-demand dates such as the Feria. Their bar serves Jerez wines, including Manzanilla, and Iberian tapas; service is suspended during the performance. Check opening times and ticket prices.

Frequently asked questions about what to eat at the Feria de Abril

What do people eat at the April Fair?

The most typical food is fried fish (whitebait, cuttlefish, marinated dogfish), Iberian ham and loin, potato tortilla, and prawns or king prawns. These are dishes to share and nibble on in the marquee while chatting and dancing sevillanas, accompanied by manzanilla or rebujito.

What is rebujito?

It is the typical drink of the Fair: manzanilla with lime soda or sparkling water, mint and lots of ice, prepared in a pitcher for sharing. It is the recipe of the Regulatory Council of Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda. It refreshes and is easy to drink, but it does contain wine, so it is best to drink it slowly throughout the day.

What is the Noche del Pescaíto?

It is the dinner that kicks off the Fair, the night before the switch-on. Members, families and friends gather in their marquees around platters of fried fish before the entrance gate lights up at midnight. In 2026 it was held on Monday 20 April.

Can you eat at the Fair without an invitation?

Yes. Public marquees can be entered without an invitation and without paying an admission fee, and food and drink are ordered and paid for just like in a bar. In 2026 there were seven municipal district marquees, as well as others belonging to political parties, trade unions and organisations.