Egaña Oriza

ODDLY, finding fine dining in Andalusia's evocative capital is something of a battle.

Despite the millions of tourists who come to visit the charming city – its Alcazar, cathedral and winding lanes of the old town – Seville is perhaps better served on the tapas scene, with most of its so-called top restaurants offering rather more style than substance.

Egaña Oriza is one main exception. A former aristocrat's home built around part of the 12th century Arabic walls of the city (a chunk of it carefully preserved inside), it is just a stone's throw from the dazzling Plaza de España, where opera Carmen was partly set.