When exquisite quality seafood, elegant surroundings and an immaculate plating presentation take priorities over price, Estimar and the cuisine of chef Rafa Zafra can’t be beat. Many refer to this refined restaurant, tucked away down a dark alley just steps from the Santa Maria del Mar church, as a temple; a temple dedicated to the worship of the finest products of the sea. The catch of the day is displayed on heaps of ice on the countertop of the open kitchen, and seasonal specialties like sea urchins, barnacles ( percebes), and baby eels ( angulas) are served to adventurous diners at a premium.

Without straying too far from the area, Estimar is an excellent choice for lunch. Chargrilling, the best seafood selected by the Bocanegra family, and the good work of Chef Rafa Zafra all combine to excellent effect in this small restaurant that, in the words of Ferran Adrià, is "the seafood restaurant of the 21st century." Quality raw materials and simple preparations are a winning formula here and, if you're not yet covinced, just ask Mick Jagger, who has already visited a few times himself.

If there’s one thing Rafa Zafra understands better than most of his chef contemporaries, it’s that sourcing the very best seafood—say, anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea or big fat shrimps from Roses—is more important than fussy preparations. I like the way Zafra cooks clams, for instance, sautéing them with nothing more fancy than a splash of fino sherry. His chipirones (baby squid), another highlight, are crisp-fried in EVOO, Andalusian-style, and arrive with a side of squid-ink mayonnaise.

Estimar is another Michelin-recognized restaurant contributing to the bustling Barcelona food scene. This intimate, family-owned spot operates first and foremost with respect for the ocean and the seafood purchased from the local Puerto de Roses market. While the prices at Estimar are slightly higher than some other establishments on this list, the quality of ingredients and preparation, paired with the artful presentation and attentive service, is worth the extra spend.

The singer was seen enjoying a family evening at Estimar, the haute cuisine restaurant of Sevillian chef Rafa Zafra, also known for being Mick Jagger’s favorite, among other stars. A post shared by ROSALÍA BRASIL (@rosalia.vt.brasil). This temple of the sea or seafood restaurant, which bases its proposal on grilled cuisine and product, has two Repsol Suns since 2019 and has been voted best restaurant in Barcelona by the Macarfi guide in 2022.

After all that sight-seeing, it was time for lunch at the award-winning Estimar run by the Gotanegra family and chef Rafa Zafra. An intimate restaurant, only big enough to seat 15 people, we found ourselves in the middle of the kitchen with chefs working all around us. Dish after delicious dish was expertly prepared, cooked and delivered to the table while we watched fascinated and sipped Cava (pronounced with a b instead of a v in Catalan).

On the other end of the spectrum, several nouveau steakhouses have emerged (in the form Solomilloand Lomo Alto), while Restaurant Estimar brings seafood to the forefront. And because no visit to Barcelona is complete without a little flair, there’s Opera Samfaina, a “culinary amusement park” featuring, among other concepts, an ice cream shop from Ale Rivas and celebrated pastry chef Jordi Roca (of El Celler de Can Roca).

Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers, 3, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. Estimar is a seafood restaurant known for its inventive dishes crafted by the renowned Chef Rafa Zafra. The menu is a testament to the chef's expertise in seafood, offering a variety of dishes, each prepared with high quality local ingredients and cooked to perfection on the heart of the kitchen, the grill.

The former exBulli chef Rafa Zafra opened Estimar in 2016 to start the seafood restaurant of the XXI century, and in just three years it’s been awarded with a Michelin star. In such short time, this restaurant has become a reference in town for its focus on product freshness, brought daily from the fish auctions of the town of Roses and other ports.

An intimate, informal restaurant that is somewhat tucked away. It's been praised for its passion for fish and has been run by the Gotanegra family since 1895. Chef Rafa Zafra has a track record with the brothers Adrià.

A classy and sophisticated restaurant focused on seafood, run by chef Rafa Zafra. There’s an open kitchen, and all the fresh catch on ice can be admired before you devour it. It’s not cheap, but very much worth it.

Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers, 3Barcelona, Catalonia +34 932 68 91 97. Restaurant Estimar is a tucked-away restaurant with an open kitchen, known for its inventive seafood dishes and cheesecake.

Another eatery endorsed by Rafa Zafra, it once more displays his affinity for the ocean and reverence for its bounty. The recipes are simple, highlighting the taste of each primary ingredient.