The Tibidabo invites to enjoy high cuisine and panoramic views by the hand of Rafa Zafra

Practically from any point in Barcelona, on the horizon, almost omnipresent silhouettes can be observed: the Collserola Tower, the basilica, and the attractions that make up the Tibidabo complex. Thanks to its privileged location, the amusement park offers one of the best panoramic views of the city, as well as fun for children and adults. But the park wants to go further and assert itself as a global experience, with a new restaurant that offers a balanced and quality gastronomic proposal. A proposal designed by none other than the renowned chef Rafa Zafra, who holds two Michelin stars and already leads two high-end restaurants in Barcelona.

The history of this amusement park dates back more than a century, when, in 1886, the first stable construction was built on the top of this Collserola mountain: a small chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart. But it was in 1901 when the park began to take its current form, with the arrival of the funicular ---which was not only a revolution for the park but for the entire country, being the first vehicle of its kind built in all of Spain--- and the tram. The works had been promoted by the entrepreneur and pharmacist Salvador Andreu i Grau, known for his ingenious cough drops.

Gastronomy soon occupied a central part of the project, and the Gran Café Restaurant Tibidabo and the Hotel-Restaurant Coll soon opened. Spaces that, in 1947, were renovated to become La Masia. However, in recent years, fast food options had proliferated in the amusement park: proposals such as pizzas, hamburgers, or sandwiches for those looking to make a short stop before continuing to enjoy the multiple attractions.

The restaurant will be located in the panoramic area of the amusement park, with free access and no need for an entrance ticket

Recognized for his seafood cuisine and his devotion to top-quality seafood products, the Andalusian chef Rafa Zafra ---a student of Ferran Adrià at El Bulli--- is present in the city with the Estimar and Amar proposals. In the Catalan capital, the chef will also be responsible for designing an exclusive menu for the new Village space of the Salón Náutico, which from October 8 to 12 will bring together more than 220 exhibitors and 200 boats. Beyond Barcelona, Zafra also leads the Estimar space in Madrid and one of Ibiza's star beach bars, Casa Jondal.

But Zafra is also the chef behind the gastronomic proposal of Per Feina Per Plaer, a restaurant that aims to offer a midday menu that, without sacrificing quality and product, is affordable for all budgets. A formula that the chef will now replicate in this new space in Tibidabo, where Zafra wants to offer "an attractive, honest and fun proposal, which manages to make both adults and children enjoy themselves." Thus, the restaurant aims to offer a "global experience, in which cuisine, environment and emotion go hand in hand."

Zafra, who has acknowledged that designing the menu for a space like Tibidabo is an "exciting challenge," states that his purpose is clear: "To escape conventional children's menus and bring the little ones closer to those flavors and textures that help them discover the pleasure of eating well." However, the menu will not only be designed for the little ones but, as it is located in the well-known panoramic area of the amusement park, with free access, the restaurant will be open to any type of client, whether they come to enjoy the park, observe the views or simply enjoy a good meal.

To make this new gastronomic proposal a reality, the amusement park ---managed by the municipal company BSM--- has adapted the lower floors of the Masia building, where Rafa Zafra's new space will be located. The architectural renovation project has been designed by Varis Arquitectes, the Barcelona firm led by Dani Freixes. The team, in addition to having extensive experience in hospitality spaces, has also been responsible for the MiraMiralls mirror rooms as well as the renovation of the Avió, two of Tibidabo's most emblematic attractions.

Varis Arquitectes has designed a versatile and comfortable space that also does not forget the environment in which it is located. Thus, its distribution, interior design, and decorative elements are inspired by the park's imaginary, with resources such as light games and projections. In addition, the restaurant can also adapt and host corporate events.

In addition to Rafa Zafra's restaurant, the park's gastronomic offer will also be complemented in the coming years with the AeroGroc project. A set of seven small gastronomic spaces, by renowned professionals in the sector, will be located at the foot of the emblematic Avió attraction, a replica of the first aircraft that made the Barcelona-Madrid journey.

In these spaces, designed in the shape of a cloud to illustrate the sky through which the aircraft flies and conceived as a meeting, gathering, and resting point, one can find a pastry shop, a cafeteria, or a healthy food space. The architectural project will be designed by MIAS Architects, the firm of the renowned Josep Miàs, and thus, Tibidabo will add another space to enjoy good gastronomy with unparalleled views of the city.