Estimar
RepsolSpain's Repsol Guide awards up to 3 Soles for culinary excellence. Two soles: outstanding cuisine.Michelin SelectedSelected by the Michelin Guide inspectors as a restaurant offering good cooking.Estimar
RepsolSpain's Repsol Guide awards up to 3 Soles for culinary excellence. Two soles: outstanding cuisine.Michelin SelectedSelected by the Michelin Guide inspectors as a restaurant offering good cooking.Estimar is a seafood restaurant on Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers in the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera neighbourhood of Barcelona. The kitchen takes an ingredient-led, seasonal, sharing-plates approach, building dishes around quality produce and careful preparation.
Background
About Estimar
The Story
Estimar, meaning 'to love' in Catalan, is a collaboration between the fourth-generation Gotanegra family and Seville-born chef Rafa Zafra. Zafra forged his career at the Hacienda Benazuza: El Bulli Hotel, where he earned two Michelin stars and was a key member of Ferran and Albert Adria's team. Together with his partner Ana Gotanegra, he created a compact restaurant near the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar dedicated to celebrating the sea. The Repsol Guide describes it as a daily solemn tribute to the ocean, where the most exuberant fish and shellfish from the port of Roses are stripped down to their essence with minimal intervention and maximum respect. Zafra also runs an Estimar location in Madrid.
The Cuisine
Estimar's cuisine centres on pristine seafood prepared with imagination and restraint. The day's catch, arriving from the port of Roses, is displayed on a market-style stand near the entrance, making the selection process part of the experience. The kitchen specialises in open-flame grilling with zero odours, applying precise technique to let the product speak. Signature preparations include a democratic interpretation of caviar (including a famous mixed sandwich with roe), grilled prawns, turbot, percebes (goose barnacles), and a celebrated cheesecake. Despite the seafood focus,
The Team
Chef Rafa Zafra leads the kitchen, bringing his elBulli training and two-Michelin-star pedigree to a product-first seafood approach. He works alongside the Gotanegra family, now in their fourth generation of hospitality, who handle front of house and business operations. The compact team delivers polished, attentive service in an intimate setting.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Estimar Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
Selected, 'An intimate restaurant... passion for the sea shown by the Gotanegra family and chef Rafa Zafra. Grilled dishes and high-quality products.'
Fourth-generation Gotanegra family and ex-Bulli chef Rafa Zafra, a solemn tribute to the sea with fish from the port of Roses
Aggregated from 1,322 opinions across 2 platforms
Diner Ratings
4.3
829 reviews
TheFork
9.2
533 reviews
TripAdvisor
4.0
419 reviews
Yelp
4.5
26 reviews
Professional recognition includes Michelin Selected and 2 Repsol soles. Diners rate it 4.3/5 on Google (829 reviews), 9.2/10 on TheFork (533 reviews), 4.0/5 on TripAdvisor (419 reviews), and 4.5/5 on Yelp (26 reviews).
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Reservations
How to Book Estimar
Booking
Reservations are required and can be made through the restaurant's website or by calling +34 932 689 197. Estimar is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch (13:30-15:30) and dinner (20:30-22:30). Closed Sundays and Mondays. Given the intimate size of the dining room and the restaurant's reputation, booking several days ahead is advisable, particularly for weekend evenings.
Experience
Estimar Dining Experience
Estimar is a compact, intimate restaurant with an open kitchen that puts diners close to the cooking action. The day's seafood is displayed on a market-style stand near the entrance, setting an informal yet purposeful tone. Michelin describes it as 'intimate' and 'somewhat tucked away.', reflecting a space that prioritises product and experience over interior design. The restaurant is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible at entrance, seating, and restroom.
Navigate
Estimar Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Estimar is located at Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers 3, just steps from the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in the heart of Barcelona's Born district. Jaume I metro station (L4) is about 5 minutes' walk away. The narrow medieval streets of the Born are one of the city's most concentrated dining corridors, with Cal Pep, Vila Viniteca, and Bar del Pla all within a few minutes' walk.
Nearby
Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera, commonly known as El Born, is one of Barcelona's oldest neighbourhoods, anchored by the Gothic Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. The area is a dense web of medieval streets with one of the city's highest concentrations of quality dining. Within 250 metres of Estimar sit Cal Pep (legendary tapas), Vila Viniteca (wine), Bar del Pla (gastro bar), and Michelin-starred Ten's. Jaume I metro (L4) is a 5-minute walk.
Nearby Restaurants
Fronda Pasaje
Vegetarian
Plant-based wine bar where chef Maximo Cabrera applies a biologist's eye to vegetable cookery in a small, dinner-only El Born room.
Cal Pep
Seafood Tapas
Seafood tapas bar from chef Pep Manubens where daily market offerings set the menu.
Vila Viniteca
Mediterranean Wine Bar
A 1932 wine merchant and tasting bar in El Born with cheese and jamón.
Bar del Pla
Market Cuisine
Market cooking from chef Jordi Peris in Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera.
Ten's
Tapas
Modern tapas concept offering reinterpreted classic Spanish dishes in a relaxed.
Details
Estimar Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 13:30–15:30 & 20:30–22:30 |
| Wednesday | 13:30–15:30 & 20:30–22:30 |
| Thursday | 13:30–15:30 & 20:30–22:30 |
| Friday | 13:30–15:30 & 20:30–22:30 |
| Saturday | 13:30–15:30 & 20:30–22:30 |
| Sunday | Closed |
Estimar hours verified 2026-03-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Required. Book through the restaurant's website or by phone.
Good to Know
Social
From estimarzafra on Instagram
Percebes al vapor y vinagreta de laurel E S T I M A R 📌 C/ Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers 3 Barcelona. 📌 C/ Marqués de Cubas 18 Madrid. Repsol ☀️☀️ Barcelona ☀️☀️Madrid 👉🏻Reservas en nuestra web.
Siempre el mejor producto ✨ E S T I M A R 📌 C/ Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers 3 Barcelona. 📌 C/ Marqués de Cubas 18 Madrid. Repsol ☀️☀️ Barcelona ☀️☀️Madrid 👉🏻Reservas en nuestra web.
Salteando nuestras almejas de la Ría de Arousa con fino quinta ✨ E S T I M A R 📌 C/ Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers 3 Barcelona. 📌 C/ Marqués de Cubas 18 Madrid. Repsol ☀️☀️ Barcelona ☀️☀️Madrid 👉🏻Reservas en nuestra web.
GAMBA ROJA Y PERCEBE 🔝 La gamba roja hembra alcanza su punto óptimo entre abril y mayo. En este momento, los ovarios están maduros, lo que explica el mayor volumen de la cabeza y una concentración de sabor especialmente intensa. En cuanto a los percebes, la calidad suele encontrarse en ejemplares
Nuestra Gilda 🩵 E S T I M A R 📌 C/ Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers 3 Barcelona. 📌 C/ Marqués de Cubas 18 Madrid. Repsol ☀️☀️ Barcelona ☀️☀️Madrid 👉🏻Reservas en nuestra web.
Hoy regresa Estimar Madrid tras unos días de descanso. @juancbini in the house ! E S T I M A R 📌 C/ Marqués de Cubas 18 Madrid. Repsol ☀️☀️Madrid 👉🏻Reservas en nuestra web.
Questions
Estimar FAQ
What seafood does Estimar serve and where does it come from?
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Estimar specializes in pristine seafood that arrives daily from the port of Roses. The day's catch is displayed on a market-style stand near the entrance, featuring items like red shrimp, lobster, turbot, percebes (goose barnacles), oysters, and whole grilled fish at market price.
How much should I expect to spend at Estimar?
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Expect to spend approximately €60-100 per person at Estimar for a la carte dining without beverages. Individual dishes include steamed Roses shrimp at €19, ensaladilla with lobster at €24, and grilled whole fish at market price. There is no fixed tasting menu - everything is ordered a la carte based on the day's catch.
What's the story behind Chef Rafa Zafra at Estimar?
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Chef Rafa Zafra is Seville-born and trained at elBulli, where he was a key member of Ferran and Albert Adria's team. He previously earned two Michelin stars at Hacienda Benazuza: El Bulli Hotel. At Estimar, he partners with Ana Gotanegra from the fourth-generation Gotanegra hospitality family, creating what the Repsol Guide calls 'a solemn tribute to the sea.'
How do I get to Estimar in El Born?
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Estimar is located at Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers 3, just steps from the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in El Born. Jaume I metro station (L4) is about an 8-minute walk away.
What is Estimar's famous caviar sandwich?
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The caviar sandwich is one of Chef Rafa Zafra's signature dishes, described as his 'democratic interpretation of caviar.' It's a mixed sandwich with caviar roe, though the specific price is listed as market price on the menu.
How far ahead do I need to book at Estimar?
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Reservations are required and should be made several days in advance, particularly for weekend evenings. You can book through their website or by calling +34 932 689 197. The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday for lunch (13:30-15:30) and dinner (20:30-22:30), and is closed Sundays and Mondays.