Spanish churros are made of fresh dough that is fried. The dough is squeezed with the help of a pastry bag and fried into hot oil. Once removed from the vat, churros are cut into lengths and eaten hot.
Some people like to add sugar on top it. I prefer them plain, however.
Churros are probably the basic and most traditional Spanish breakfast. They are usually dipped on thick hot chocolate although many people replace it with a coffee. However, they are also heavy so we Spaniards tend to have them on weekends.
Spanish churros can be also served during the afternoon for what we call the merienda, an untraslatable word for ‘afternoon snack’. Many consider them a hangover antidote and use to eat them very early in the morning. It’s a common pratice after being partying all night long, and before returning home.
I love Spanish churros. I know they’re a little bit greasy and contain lots of fat, not the mention the zillion calories of the hot chocolate. But I can’t help it. Every now and then I succumb to the temptation…
In the past few years I’ve tasted lots of churros and visited plenty of churrerías in Seville (also known as calenterías here in the south). Below is a short list of some of the places where you can enjoy a delicious chocolate con churros. I could have written a longer list but it would have been endless!
Churrería La Esperanza
Calle Feria, 108
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 to 14:00. Closed on Monday.
Being next to the market, it’s the churros supplier for most of the surrounding bars. The Gómez run this family business started by the grandfather. Eat your churros at the counter or go for a walk to the Alameda and find a nice spot to seat.
Calentería San Pablo
Calle San Pablo, 22
Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 7:30 to 12:30. Closed on Sunday.
This calentería is one of the most popular ones in Seville. It was inaugurated in 1960 and the Cazorla family has always been in charge since then.
Churrería Los Especiales
Calle Arjona s/n (at Triana’s Bridge)
Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 12:00.
While the chocolate is a little thick for my palate, the churros are excelent. You can buy them and eat them next to the river or you can seat at one of the tables surrounding the kiosk and enjoy the gorgeous views…
Familia Alfonso (Kiosco de Calentitos Macarena)
Calle Resolana s/n (next to the Andalucia Parliament and in front of the city walls)
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 6:00 to 12:00. Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 to 12:00. Only closed on Christmas Day.
One of my top picks. The churros here are particularly crispy and the chocolate is excellent. The managers are making churros continously so you’ll always eat them freshly cooked. The only downside is that there are no tables to sit around there.
Churrería Alfalfa
Calle Guardamino (next to the Plaza de la Alfalfa)
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 to 12:00. Closed on Monday.
Antoñito, the owner, has been cooking churros with his wife Inma for the past 30 years. Drinks (mainly chocolate and coffee) are only available on weekends. Nevertheless, it’s very common to buy the churros and seat at one of the bars at the square to order coffee, chocolate or whatever you prefer.
Bar El Comercio
Calle Lineros, 9
Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 7:30 to 21:00.
Again, a churrería where you cannot sit but that is an institution in Seville. This charming bar was founded in 1904 and is still part of the Rivera family. There is something quite magical about sitting at the bar and watching them in action while enjoying beautifully crisp churos and dark, rich chocolate.
The above listed places are the real churrerías, where you can find home made Spanish churros. However, there are many cafes in town where you will also find chocolate con churros listed in the menu or on the whiteboards. Even though the staff don’t cook them there, I’m sure that the supplier is a traditional churrería.
There are plenty of chances to try and enjoy them. After all, you are on holidays, so why not treating yourself to such delicacy?