Bikini Bar, the gastronomic luxury by Rafa Zafra to enjoy with your hands

Globally renowned for his iconic “Bikini” from Estimar, made with smoked salmon tartare, cream cheese, and thirty grams of caviar, this past May, the celebrated Sevillian chef Rafa Zafra, along with his partner and chef Ricardo Acquista, surprised us with the opening of Bikini Bar. Under the slogan of offering “a luxury to be enjoyed with your hands,” this project stands out for its authenticity and sophistication. The menu, centred around “bikinis” (toasted sandwiches) and sandwiches made with top-quality ingredients, can be enjoyed at any time of day thanks to their uninterrupted kitchen service.

Located in the heart of NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding, one of the most exclusive hotels in the capital, the venue reinforces Rafa Zafra’s commitment to quality and excellence, in this new venture, which he approaches with the same enthusiasm as his first day in the kitchen.

Behind this ambitious project, Rafa Zafra and Ricardo Acquista, creators of renowned concepts like Estimar, Casa Jondal, Rural, and Amar, embark on a new adventure, full of excitement, to delight us with a sophisticated space offering a sublime tribute to the sandwich. Their recipes elevate something so simple to a higher level, turning the bikinis that headline the restaurant’s menu into true gastronomic treasures. These delicacies reach their peak when paired with their spectacular signature cocktail menu.

Set within the exclusive NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding, guests are welcomed by a stunning bar, leading to various indoor and outdoor spaces designed by MIL Studios. The combination of sophisticated yet informal spaces, with carefully curated details such as dim lighting and chosen materials, create the perfect atmosphere for this alluring culinary proposal, which is available non-stop.

On our first visit to Bikini Bar, we started with some impressive Iberian ham croquettes, served steaming hot, perfectly crispy on the outside and ultra-creamy inside. Each bite captivated us more, preparing us for the Russian salad topped with delicate tuna belly, which they prepare themselves, and playful piparras (pickled peppers) that added the perfect crunch. This balanced and flavorful recipe had us eagerly scraping the plate before moving on to the marvellous Balearic sandwich, made with crunchy bread filled with delicious sobrasada, Mahón cheese, and a touch of honey. A winning combination that transported us to the paradisiacal Balearic Islands through our taste buds, before continuing with a perfect club sandwich with a generous filling. Finely sliced ingredients like chicken, bacon, melted cheese, tomato, lettuce, and pickles, all dressed with an irresistible sauce, gave it the perfect flavour punch.

We couldn’t leave without trying their famous chop tartare bikini with mustard and pickled vinaigrette, one of their star dishes, which we fully enjoyed as expected, with its thin, super crispy bread and a spectacular chop tartare inside, seasoned with a light spicy kick. A strong finale, which led us to a light vanilla ice cream slice, the ideal choice to cleanse the palate after savouring this latest venture by Rafa Zafra.

Bikini Bar celebrates the gastronomic elevation of sandwiches with a bold proposal where simplicity meets innovation. Remarkable signature sandwiches, available at any time of day, thanks to its non-stop kitchen service. A true gastronomic luxury to be enjoyed always… with your hands!