Zafra is one of those Eixample spots that doesn't fit neatly into a single box — and that's exactly the point. The menu jumps from Italian-style risotto to Galician chuletón to Asian yakitori brochettes, all under one roof on Carrer de Girona. Come for the brunch or a long lunch, stay for the cocktails, and if you've got a group, ask about the private party room in the back.
A genre-hopping Eixample kitchen where risotto, Galician chuletón, and yakitori share a menu — and the cocktails are half the reason to stay.
They're only open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to midnight — plan your visit accordingly, and book the back room if you're coming with a group.
Fusion without the fuss — Italian, Galician, and Asian plates with a cocktail habit
Zafra sits on Carrer de Girona in the Dreta de l'Eixample, and it's the kind of place that refuses to be pigeonholed. The menu is a self-described fusion of creative and Mediterranean cuisine with a strong Italian lean — think risotto done properly, fresh pasta, and focaccia — but it also swings toward Galicia with a denominación de origen chuletón, and across to Asia with chicken yakitori brochettes. It shouldn't work, but somehow it does, and the 4.2 Google rating from nearly 900 reviewers suggests plenty of people are on board with the concept.
The real draw here, though, might be the cocktails. Zafra bills itself as revolutionizing Barcelona's cocktail scene, and while that's a bold claim, the drinks are genuinely good and the bar gets busy on weekend evenings. Brunch is also a thing — they open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to midnight, and the weekend brunch service (focaccia, pasta, coffee, cocktails) draws a steady local crowd. The vibe is modern and international without trying too hard.
There's a private party room in the back that fits up to 40 people, which makes Zafra a solid pick for group celebrations. They also host occasional cultural events — poetry readings and the like — so the space has a bit more personality than your average Eixample restaurant. Service can be hit or miss when it's packed, so don't come in a rush. Come when you want to linger.