Back from Barcelona and Disfrutar, our expectations were not only met but exceeded! The World’s Best Restaurant 2024 made a real impression.
The restaurant is owned and run by three chefs: Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas. The trio met at the legendary El Bulli, where each worked from a young age until its closure in 2011. The restaurant’s exterior is simple and the entrance narrow, before opening up to a light-flooded, white-washed dining room.
From the moment we entered Disfrutar, it was clear that we were in for an extraordinary adventure. This is a place where food is treated as an art form, and every dish is meticulously crafted to tell a story.
Two menus are on offer, both around 30 courses. We opted for the MENU DISFRUTAR CLASSIC which is a greatest hits album featuring the chefs’ favourite dishes from the last decade.
However, this is not a restaurant for beginners. The dishes are complex, often challenging to eat, and require an adventurous nature. But for those willing to dive into the unknown, the rewards are endless.
An Explosion of Flavors and Textures
One of the most unforgettable highlights of our meal was the Gazpacho Sandwich. Unlike anything we had ever tasted, it was a marvel of molecular gastronomy that melts in your mouth like a sorbet. This dish shows what Disfrutar does best—taking familiar flavors and presenting them in completely unexpected ways.
Another standout was the famous Olive, a signature dish known to explode in your mouth with an intense burst of flavor. But here again, it is a perfectly reconstructed olive which is a proof of Disfrutar’s creativity. What appears to be one thing on the plate turns out to be something entirely different in taste and texture.
Other delightful surprises were the Lychee and Roses with Gin, a dish we could sip from rose leaves. There was a wonderfully filled Oyster with Mushrooms, which again, weren’t mushrooms at all. Or The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs – a golden egg yolk that released a delightful, velvety sauce as it was cut open. A Crunchy Mushroom Leaf was presented in a simple yet stylish bird’s nest.
A lot of delightful surprises that keeps diners on their toes.
A Symphony of Sensations
Adding to the sensory experience, one of the dishes (the Solid Bubbles of Smoked Butter with Caviar) we could first examine with a magnifying glass. The so called Multi Spherical Tatin of Corn and Foie was in fact an optical illusion with a mirror. And finally, the Engagement rings were edible. All these incredible dishes were a reminder that dining at Disfrutar is not just about taste; it’s about engaging all your senses.
Phenomenal Presentations That Tell a Story
The way each dish was presented was phenomenal. Every plate was a masterpiece, showcasing not only the chefs' skills but their boundless creativity. The petit fours were hidden within a charming miniature garden with tiny trees, inviting us to search for them as they were cleverly camouflaged.
The creativity in each course was evident, making the experience full of surprises and pleasant moments.
Final Thoughts …
Our experience at Disfrutar was not just a meal, but a truly a memorable journey. A spectacular experience that transported us into a world of innovative flavors, surprising textures and stunning presentations. This is a place for those who seek adventure on their plate and love surprises as much as the unknown.
… and Funny Episode
A funny little episode at Disfrutar perfectly illustrates the playful challenge of dining there. With some courses being quite tricky to eat, it’s no surprise that mishaps can happen. Our neighboring table fell victim to this when a beautifully presented dessert took an unexpected detour—straight onto the lady’s lap! The look of surprise, followed by laughter, was priceless. It’s all part of the experience at Disfrutar, where every bite is an adventure—sometimes, quite literally!
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