Cafe Sevilla, the Spanish restaurant and tapas bar with locations in San Diego and Long Beach, is set to open its first Orange County restaurant on Friday, March 6 at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa. Enchanting guests with its flavorful Spanish fare and festive drinks, live Latin music nightly, and vibrant Flamenco dinner shows, which vividly display the soul of Spain, Cafe Sevilla is unlike any other dining destination in the county.
In 1987 Spanish-born Rogelio and Janet Huidobro opened a tapas bar reminiscent of their hometown in Seville, Spain. What began as an intimate dining venue has evolved to become an all-encompassing cultural experience that puts on display the flavor and flair of Spain. Today, the Cafe Sevilla experience has become synonymous with the sound of Gypsy music and the aroma of saffron-infused paella. Its across-the-board authenticity has earned Cafe Sevilla national acclaim with accolades from Travel Channel, Food Network, and the “Rachael Ray Show.”
A celebration of ‘The Other South,’ Cafe Sevilla draws inspiration from the laid-back luxury of Ibiza, Mallorca, and San Sebastian in the South of Spain. At 8,000 square feet, the restaurant, including its tapas bar, seats up to 90 inside and 150 on its trio of patios, which, modeled after the plazas of Spain, serve as epicenters of culture and community. With a combined 3,500 square feet of outdoor dining space, the patios offer the ultimate al-fresco dining experience boasting chic cabanas, cozy fire pits, Mediterranean-inspired lighting, and plush heated lounge areas.
“Costa Mesa is Orange County’s premier destination for dining and entertainment,” comments CEO Eric Van de Haute, whose restaurants have set the bar for authentic Spanish dining and nightlife for over 30 years. “This city has an emphasis and an appreciation for cultural arts, and we’re looking forward to sharing our own Spanish culture through authentic, rich flavors and the flair of Flamenco.”
Capturing the essence of Spain, the menu at Cafe Sevilla features traditional tapas like Tortilla Española, Gambas al Ajillo, and Grilled Spanish Salchichas as well as entrees like Mediterranean Sea Bass and 16-hour Braised Rioja Short Ribs. As the largest importer of saffron on the West Coast, Cafe Sevilla offers five show-stopping paellas.
A five-course ‘Journey to Spain for Two’ allows duos to embark on an immersive dining experience through the country with stops in Valencia for paella and Santiago de Compostela for an almond tart. Their beverage program boasts award-winning sangrias; Latin-inspired craft cocktails that range from smoky and sultry, to revitalizing and refreshing; and an impressive wine list with bottles from Spain and around the world complete with ultra-premium Champagne.
Brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays and includes signature entrees and specialty brunch cocktails. A Tapas Brunch, the first of its kind in Orange County, allows guests to brunch as the Spaniards do with six-course and nine-course tasting menus.
“At Cafe Sevilla, we’re proud to offer the most vibrant Spanish cuisine through traditional tapas and authentic ingredients,” adds executive chef Miguel Delgado. “But our interpretation of Spanish dining is about so much more than exceptional food; it’s about the hospitality, the service, the ambiance, and the atmosphere that together capture the true essence of Spain.”
The restaurant’s famed Flamenco Dinner Shows put that essence on display. Every Friday and Saturday night, Cafe Sevilla offers a two-part Flamenco show complemented with a three-course dinner. The art of Flamenco displays the pride, strength, pain, and passion of Spain’s Gypsy culture through aggressive, but purposeful movements with the dancers’ feet.
Debuting a captivating nightlife experience unlike any in the county, Cafe Sevilla invites guests to experience the vibrant after-dinner culture of Spain through late-night dining, dancing, and live music nightly. In addition to its Flamenco dinner shows, guests can look forward to Happy Hour Sunday – Friday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and a Late Night Happy Hour Monday – Thursday from 10 p.m. – close; live Gipsy Kings-style music performed nightly from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.; and Salsa dancing lessons every Wednesday from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
With six private and semi-private spaces available, Cafe Sevilla offers banquet services for private dining and full buyouts. The restaurant also provides large-scale catering services and its signature Backyard Paella Party complete with a personal paella chef.
Cafe Sevilla is located at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa (1870 Harbor Blvd) and is open daily from 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. with entertainment and live music nightly with brunch served on the weekends from 11 a.m. 3 p.m. For more information, please visit https://www.cafesevilla.com or connect with Cafe Sevilla on Instagram at @SevillaOC.
