Located in a small street in the Born district of La Ribera in Barcelona, is a culinary treasure known as Estimar Barcelona (Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers, 3, Ciutat Vella).
Founded in 2016 by chef Rafa Zafra and his partner Anna Gotanegra, this restaurant has won the admiration of locals and celebrities alike, including notable visitors such as the Obamas, Hillary Clinton, Steven Spielberg, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones.
To get to Estimar Barcelona, we take a walk from Via Laietana to Montcada street, passing by emblematic places such as the Picasso Museum and the Xampanyet. Medieval Barcelona comes to life as we cross Sombrerers street, whose name dates back to the importance of the guilds in the city.
The ordinances of the Hatter’s Guild, dated 1545, influenced the name of the street that today houses Estimar Barcelona.
In the Barcelona of yesteryear, each guild occupied a specific street, and the street of Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers, near the chapel dedicated to this saint, now houses a place of gastronomic pilgrimage: the restaurant Estimar Barcelona.
A stroll through the Born and the charm of Estimar Barcelona
Arriving at the restaurant, customers wait patiently for the entrance, and when the door opens, a cozy space is revealed. And there’s Francisco Zafra, the head chef, and his team working their magic with fresh seafood. Shrimp, langoustines, oysters, razor clams, sole and bright red scorpion fish move around the counter, promising a unique culinary experience.
Rafa Zafra, a native of Seville, has integrated Estimar Barcelona into the fabric of Ciutat Vella, as well as the iconic church of Santa Maria del Mar. His distinctive approach to preparing seafood has captivated everyone.
A large part of its success lies in the quality of the products, acquired in the Port of Roses through its partner, who belongs to the Gotanegra family with five generations dedicated to fish.
The fusion of flavors and passions at Estimar
The intimate dining room, designed for about twenty people, merges with the kitchen, creating a unique experience. Diners can observe the meticulous preparation in the various “mise en place” around the restaurant, where chefs and wait staff work harmoniously.
To visit Estimar Barcelona is to dive into the sea with every bite and enjoy the passion that permeates the cuisine, all to the background rhythm of flamenco. The experience culminates with the satisfaction of having tasted a cuisine that goes beyond the conventional, leaving diners with the sensation of having experienced something genuine and exceptional.
Estimar Barcelona is a place where tradition, quality and passion converge to create a gastronomic experience that lasts.
