While many businesses succumbed to Spain's economic crisis, a few independently-owned shops, restaurants and galleries created a cooperative to survive. The result is Soho Benita – a few streets laden with everything from handmade clothing and street art to vintage boutiques and haute coulture milliners. Most boutiques are mixed-use spaces, where goods are both made and sold, art is on display, and events are always happening.
If you are traveling with kids, they will love this store. They carry children’s books and games – primarily in Spanish, but also in English, German and French. If you want to have a night out on your own, they host a monthly Saturday night slumber party for kids, with book readings and games. Pick them up the next morning after breakfast. Rayuela also has authors come in frequently to read and sign books.
A contemporary dinner spot, with wine-pairings suggested for each dish. Their menu is creative, and includes some tasty fusion dishes. Great service with beautiful presentation, and an elegant atmosphere in the evenings.
Painter and fashion designer Rafa García Forcada carries his own designs, as well as antiques and other fashion labels in this eclectic boutique. A prolific artist, he features a new exhibition of original clothing and paintings every two months.
A millinery studio and shop, specialising in haute coulture-style creations. Even if you don’t plan to purchase any high-fashion headgear, the store is worth browsing just to see Patricia’s sculptural designs. If you ask nicely, you might get to see the workshop at the back...
This craft shop has its roots in the digital world. Sisters Isabel and Noelia, an architect and a publicist, founded a popular design blog which has now become a successful bricks-and-mortar business. The beautiful space, designed by Isabel, carries arts and crafts supplies, home and event décor, and more. They also lead craft workshops to teach skills such as stamping and carving.
Calle Ortiz de Zúñiga 1, +34 954 22 75 15
The place for earth-conscious shoe-shopping. The focus is on ecologically-sustainable products made in Europe from organic and recycled materials.
Founded by interior designers, this boutique is a visual treat. The store’s interior is transformed seasonally with themed décor and products by artists from all over the world. The gallery at the back features both classical and contemporary works of art.
A Cuban-inspired restaurant with plenty of excellent options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free customers. The yucca is a signature item here and the mojitos are delicious. A local favourite for seafood and Caribbean-style dishes.
Start the day with a hearty, healthy breakfast at this charming café. There's a variety of fresh and delicious options, so you really can’t make a bad decision when ordering here. It’s a very popular place with a good atmosphere, so take the time to relax over a coffee or green smoothie for a pick-me-up. If you fancy dessert, try the carrot cake.
Mahsa Homayounfar is the co-founder of Not Just a Tourist, a blog and tour company that gives travellers a unique insight into Seville. Kieran Murray is an artist and brand strategist. Both of them know Seville inside out!
Rayuela
Calle Jose Luis Luque 6, +34 954 22 88 34If you are traveling with kids, they will love this store. They carry children’s books and games – primarily in Spanish, but also in English, German and French. If you want to have a night out on your own, they host a monthly Saturday night slumber party for kids, with book readings and games. Pick them up the next morning after breakfast. Rayuela also has authors come in frequently to read and sign books.
La Pincelada
Calle Pérez Galdós 20, +34 955 19 03 20A contemporary dinner spot, with wine-pairings suggested for each dish. Their menu is creative, and includes some tasty fusion dishes. Great service with beautiful presentation, and an elegant atmosphere in the evenings.
Delimbo
Calle Pérez Galdós 1, +34 955 29 41 88
A pioneering contemporary gallery and curated retail space that specialises in street art. Delimbo was originally an art-supply store, where its founders would sometimes feature works by their friends. Now, the space debuts the work of international artists and sells trendy apparel and goods in its store. One of the most cutting-edge venues in Soho Benita.
La Importadora
Calle Pérez Galdós 2, +34 954 56 18 29Painter and fashion designer Rafa García Forcada carries his own designs, as well as antiques and other fashion labels in this eclectic boutique. A prolific artist, he features a new exhibition of original clothing and paintings every two months.
Patricia Buffuna
Calle Don Alonso el Sabio 8, +34 954 53 78 24A millinery studio and shop, specialising in haute coulture-style creations. Even if you don’t plan to purchase any high-fashion headgear, the store is worth browsing just to see Patricia’s sculptural designs. If you ask nicely, you might get to see the workshop at the back...
Made with Lof
Don Alonso El Sabio 4, +34 954 563 509This craft shop has its roots in the digital world. Sisters Isabel and Noelia, an architect and a publicist, founded a popular design blog which has now become a successful bricks-and-mortar business. The beautiful space, designed by Isabel, carries arts and crafts supplies, home and event décor, and more. They also lead craft workshops to teach skills such as stamping and carving.
Zapata
Calle Ortiz de Zúñiga 1, +34 954 22 75 15The place for earth-conscious shoe-shopping. The focus is on ecologically-sustainable products made in Europe from organic and recycled materials.
Artefactum
Plaza Cristo de Burgos 21, +34 954 36 21 16Founded by interior designers, this boutique is a visual treat. The store’s interior is transformed seasonally with themed décor and products by artists from all over the world. The gallery at the back features both classical and contemporary works of art.
Habanita
Calle Golfo 3, +34 954 220 202A Cuban-inspired restaurant with plenty of excellent options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free customers. The yucca is a signature item here and the mojitos are delicious. A local favourite for seafood and Caribbean-style dishes.
La Cacharreria
Calle Regina 14, +34 954 21 21 66Start the day with a hearty, healthy breakfast at this charming café. There's a variety of fresh and delicious options, so you really can’t make a bad decision when ordering here. It’s a very popular place with a good atmosphere, so take the time to relax over a coffee or green smoothie for a pick-me-up. If you fancy dessert, try the carrot cake.
Mahsa Homayounfar is the co-founder of Not Just a Tourist, a blog and tour company that gives travellers a unique insight into Seville. Kieran Murray is an artist and brand strategist. Both of them know Seville inside out!
