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While I’ve been to a few fine-dining and Michelin-starred restaurants, I’m convinced that the places striving just under that star are often the most magical. These are the restaurants that are Michelin-recognized, maybe even Bib Gourmand–level, where the food, service and presentation punch far above their price point.
That’s exactly where we meet Az-Zait in Seville, Spain. Tucked away on a quiet street a bit off the beaten track and away from the city’s main squares. This unassuming Bib Gourmand spot continues to blow guests away (me included) quietly, consistently and with a lot of heart. Read on for my Az-Zait review.
Key Details
Type: Fine dining / contemporary Andalusian restaurant
Neighborhood: El Arenal, Seville
Best For: Tasting menus, special occasions, elevated Andalusian cuisine
Price: €€€
Vibe: Elegant, intimate, quietly romantic
Good to Know: Known for creative plating, attentive service, and a Michelin Plate distinction; reservations recommended
Az-Zait First Impressions
I’ll be honest, when we first walked in, I had a moment of panic about what I’d booked. We arrived at the very early (for Spain) hour of 8 pm and were the first people in the restaurant. As in: the only people.
Then I looked at the decor.
Let’s just say… the walls are…interesting. Between the painted faux-terraces “overlooking gardens” and the unexpected naked angels (why? who knows?), I was contemplating my life choices.
But then the staff greeted us. And suddenly, everything softened.
They were warm, welcoming and attentive from the moment we sat down. Within minutes we had our first bite, an amuse-bouche soup with crunchy croutons and chives, served in the cutest little pot you’ve ever seen. My fears eased immediately.
The Vibe + The Presentation
Later that week we were telling our friends about the experience, especially the way each dish came with its own incredibly unique serving vessel, and one of our friends said, “All that extra stuff is pointless. You’re just paying for things to be weird.”
And honestly?
If that’s the case… take my money.
Az-Zait (named after “olive juice” in Arabic) has outstanding flavors, but what really makes it special is the presentation. Every course arrived in or on something I’d never seen before: gorgeous ceramics, custom pieces, playful touches and serving devices that felt like art.
The creativity is constant without ever being gimmicky. It’s delightful, charming and fun.
Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓
The Meal
We opted for the 6-course tasting menu, and I appreciated that they clearly listed the approximate meal duration, perfect if you are trying to make a Flamenco show later or just want to know how far away bedtime is (me). Thankfully, about ten minutes in, another family arrived. The emptiness was less “red flag” and more a symptom of visiting Seville in August (which, by the way… I do NOT recommend).
Now, onto the food.
Course One: The Oxtail Sandwich (My #1 Dish)
This dish alone was worth the reservation.
Imagine the most tender, rich oxtail of your life, tucked between two stroopwafel-like crisps (not sweet, not caramel-filled, just the perfect texture). These tiny sandwiches were then presented in a custom-carved rock.
Yes. A rock.
A literal stone serving tray.
And if that wasn’t enough, the accompanying sauce came inside a tiny toothpaste tube that you squeezed onto each bite.
Ten points for ingenuity.
One hundred for flavor.
No notes.
The Courses Continue
Each dish was brought out with thoughtful explanation. At one point I hadn’t finished a bite of something and our server gently asked if everything was okay, which I actually loved. It wasn’t that I disliked it; I was pacing myself because we were only on course three (not counting the bonus soup and what would be a few extra desserts and palate cleansers).
Highlights included:
Scallop with Green Sauce + Caviar
I repeat: caviar.
At a Bib Gourmand restaurant.
With a tasting menu priced around $50 per person.
The value is insane. The scallop was perfectly cooked, the sauce bright and balanced, and the caviar added a decadent pop I didn’t expect at this price point.
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pork
Another star. The pork was so tender it practically disintegrated if you looked at it wrong. It was topped with the most perfect scoop of mashed potatoes and a light, silky sauce. Comforting and elevated all at once.
The Sorbet (aka: The Test Tube Experience)
One of my favorite parts of the meal wasn’t even a “course”, it was the sorbet.
Each tasting menu ends with either a cheese course or a sorbet course. My husband chose cheese (which was delicious), but I chose sorbet and unknowingly won the lottery.
The server walked out and placed in front of me:
- a test tube holder
- one large capped test tube filled with bright yellow liquid
- a black bowl filled with… cotton candy or cotton balls. I was hoping for the cotton candy.
I was instructed to pour the liquid over the cotton candy.
Please watch the video below for my reaction.
The candy floss melted away dramatically, leaving a perfectly formed ball of sorbet floating in a lemon-infused soup. It was fun, unexpected and genuinely delicious.
Dessert
The final dessert was a “white chocolate soup” with yogurt ice cream and amaretto. Yes, soup. Yes, it fully looked like a bowl of white chocolate broth.
But it was fantastic, the crunchy toppings added texture, the amaretto was subtle, and it was one of the more unique desserts I’ve had in a while. While white chocolate was a main component it wasn’t sickly sweet like white chocolate is sometimes and instead light and easy.
They even brought out an additional small dessert: a tiny cookie and a fruit jelly. I was far too full, but like any respectable dessert lover, I ate both.
The Bottom Line
I adore a five-star, blow-you-away dinner, like my meal at Gymkhana. But I also deeply believe in the magic of humble restaurants that surprise you. The ones tucked on quiet streets. The ones where the decor is questionable but the food is unforgettable.
Az-Zait is that restaurant.
So when you have the chance, say yes to:
- oxtail sandwiches served in rocks
- sauces squeezed from tiny toothpaste tubes
- scallop courses topped with caviar for under $50
- cotton candy that dissolves under citrus liquid
- desserts that might be soup but absolutely slap
Sometimes the most unassuming restaurants deliver the most joy, and the best value.
