There are places in Barcelona where the weight of tradition and elegance can be felt in every corner, but which, every now and then, allow themselves the luxury of surprising those who walk through their doors. This is what has been happening since this week on the ground floor of the iconic Hotel El Palace, where the restaurant Amar Barcelona has decided to transform the atmosphere of its entrance to welcome La Burguersía, a new dining concept led by Seville-born chef Rafa Zafra.
With this project located at the restaurant’s bar, the chef seeks, in his own words, to “make luxury more casual.” The initiative is part of a strategy to bring flexibility to the space, allowing guests to enjoy a quick bite in a five-star setting without the obligation to sit down for a full meal.
A recipe broken down in detail in an informal format
The big draw at this bar is a burger made with 100 grams of Wagyu beef, served on a soft potato brioche bun. To round out the dish, the kitchen team adds fried onions, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and a special house-made sauce.
The dish costs 24 euros and includes a side of french fries. In addition, to complement the evening, the venue offers a selection of drinks designed especially for the occasion, ranging from wines and cocktails to cavas and champagnes, with prices between 40 and 45 euros.
The price is exceptional, but so is the experience: Amar’s bar serves as the entrance to the restaurant’s dining room—a beautiful Baroque hall with high ceilings and massive columns that house the restaurant within what was once the historic Ritz Hotel, a 1919 building steeped in history that has gone from being the epitome of classic luxury in Barcelona to serving as a CNT soup kitchen during the Civil War.
Now, as part of the Ritz, the dining room hosts Rafa Zafra’s restaurant—one of El Bulli’s most gifted protégés. Here, he runs a Michelin-guide-listed restaurant specializing in luxury fish and seafood, which celebrities such as Obama, Springsteen, and Spielberg have chosen for dinner in Barcelona.
The Garden of Earthly Delights on the Rooftop
To round out the experience, you can choose to have a drink beforehand on the terrace, which is open to the public. For those seeking out rooftops in Barcelona, the experience is like a mini-trip. A classic wooden elevator takes you directly to what looks like a romantic Victorian garden.
A gazebo covers the main bar, but tucked away on one side of the terrace—which stands at the corner of Gran Via and Calle Bruc—is the Gaudi Secret Garden, a pop-up cocktail bar sponsored by Saint Germain, the French herbal liqueur that serves as the base here for creating various cocktails paying homage to the city.
The concept— a cocktail bar nestled among climbing plants where guests can enjoy a drink with views of the Sagrada Familia— is complemented by a selection of light, seasonal appetizers, perfect for enjoying as the sun sets. It will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. throughout May and June, with extended hours
extended hours in July and August.
