ESTIMA by Catalana

ESTIMA by Catalana is a fine-dining restaurant in Erfurt. The concept stresses the use of fresh, authentic ingredients sourced directly from local producers and from small suppliers in France and Spain, avoiding preservatives, flavor enhancers and artificial aromas. The restaurant emphasizes continuous professional development and modern cooking techniques to deliver distinctive taste experiences with transparency and naturalness. ESTIMA has been recognized in the GUSTO Restaurant & Gourmet Guide with seven out of ten Gusto pans and regularly changes dishes to provide new incentives for guests. The dining room is quiet and relaxed, offering a calm setting for a special evening. Seating includes an interactive Chef's Table for close engagement with the kitchen team. Cuisine centers on modern, creative interpretations of Spanish and French Mediterranean cooking with a particular focus on contemporary Catalan flavors. Menus are presented as degustation-style tasting menus built around small gourmet creations that emphasize variety, aromatic combinations and contemporary techniques that prioritize freshness. The kitchen is led by Jürgen Birth, Chef de Cuisine and Pâtissier. He joined the team in March 2019, brings training in French haute cuisine and further specialization in Catalan cuisine from Barcelona, and has developed expertise in chocolate and pastry work. Specialties include the degustation tasting Menu Estima; Solomillo Ibérico puro de bellota with ratatouille; scallop with mushroom, rice and saffron; Adlerfish (corball) with truffle; and Xocolata amb cítrics (chocolate with citrus) pre-dessert.