In an exciting development for Marbella's culinary landscape, the internationally acclaimed Frantzén Group has announced they will bring their celebrated Brasserie Astoria concept to Nueva Andalucía in May 2025. This marks the prestigious restaurant group's first venture into Spain, signaling a significant enhancement to the region's already vibrant dining scene. The arrival of this establishment, backed by a culinary empire that boasts multiple Michelin three-star accolades, promises to elevate Marbella's status as a gastronomic destination on the Costa del Sol.

The Frantzén Group's Stellar Background

Björn Frantzén, the culinary mastermind behind the Frantzén Group, has built an impressive international portfolio of restaurants characterized by exceptional quality and innovative approaches to cuisine. The group has achieved the remarkable distinction of earning three Michelin stars for both Restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm and Zén in Singapore.

The coveted three Michelin stars represent the highest honor in the culinary world, awarded only to establishments that deliver "exceptional cuisine worth a special journey." To put this achievement in perspective, fewer than 140 restaurants worldwide currently hold this distinction, placing them in the top 0.1% of restaurants globally. The Michelin Guide's rigorous evaluation process involves anonymous inspectors who assess restaurants based on five criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the chef's personality expressed through cuisine, and consistency over time and across the menu.

This level of recognition reflects the Frantzén Group's commitment to create culinary excellence, fantastic attention to detail, and innovative approach to dining experiences, qualities that diners can expect to find at their new Spanish location.

Brasserie Astoria Concept

Brasserie Astoria first opened its doors in Stockholm in February 2022, housed in a historic cinema building from 1915. The concept combines classic brasserie traditions with contemporary international influences, creating a sophisticated yet relaxed dining environment. The original location features stunning art deco interiors that pay homage to the building's cinematic heritage while providing a luxurious backdrop for exceptional cuisine.

The Nueva Andalucía location will adopt similar design principles, adapted to complement the Mediterranean setting. According to reports from Livets Goda, the Swedish food and beverage publication, the establishment will maintain the signature art deco elements while integrating aspects that celebrate the local Spanish environment.

Björn Frantzén has expressed his enthusiasm for this expansion, noting that Marbella's growing reputation as a culinary destination makes it an ideal location for the group's Mediterranean debut. The brasserie format offers a more accessible entry point to the Frantzén culinary universe compared to their three-star establishments, while maintaining the group's standards for quality and creativity.

The Nueva Andalucía Location for Brasserie Astoria

The new Brasserie Astoria will be situated in Nueva Andalucía, an upscale residential area just west of Puerto Banús in Marbella. This location places it at the heart of one of the most prestigious areas on the Costa del Sol, known for its beautiful properties, golf courses, and proximity to beaches.

The restaurant is being developed in partnership with the Swedish company Stureplansgruppen, which also collaborated with Frantzén on the original Stockholm location. While specific details about the physical space are still emerging, the venue is expected to feature both indoor dining areas and outdoor terraces that take advantage of Marbella's favorable climate and scenic views.

The opening is scheduled for May 2025, coinciding with the beginning of the high season in the region, when tourism reaches its peak and the area comes alive with activity and international visitors.

The Culinary Experience at Brasserie Astoria

The menu for Brasserie Astoria's Nueva Andalucía location reveals an impressive array of dishes that blend Nordic precision with Mediterranean influences while honoring classic brasserie traditions. The comprehensive à la carte offering demonstrates the Frantzén Group's commitment to culinary excellence across various styles and ingredients.

The menu begins with "Gourmandises" featuring delicacies like 36-month aged Iberico ham "Pata Negra Gran Reserva" served with Charentais melon, Bretagne oysters with champagne and shallot vinaigrette, and N25 Caviar by Björn Frantzén presented with waffles, browned butter, wasabi creme, and lime. More casual but equally refined options include harissa-style pimento, calamares fritos with galangal aioli, and the restaurant's signature garlic bread featuring sourdough baguette with browned butter, shiro miso, and parmesan.

The starters section showcases both Mediterranean and Nordic influences with dishes like stracciatella di burrata with beef tomato and pistou, Gambas "Pil-Pil" with togarashi butter, and a toast Astoria featuring snow crab, shrimps, and trout roe. Traditional Swedish elements appear in items like butter-fried "råraka" (potato pancake) with vendace roe from Kalix, while Spanish touches come through in the carpaccio of Spanish beef with foie gras au torchon and grilled octopus with chorizo oil.

For main courses, the seafood offerings include steamed cod with beurre blanc and Japanese rice, moules à la crème with champagne sauce, and grilled sea bass with panzanella. The menu features creative pizzas as well, including a luxurious truffle pizza "Le blanc" and a distinctive vendace roe pizza with Västerbotten cheese. Meat selections range from a tableside-prepared cognac flambéed beef tenderloin with creamy pepper sauce to grilled veal minute with browned lemon butter. The steak options include both individual ribeye cuts and a dry-aged club steak intended for sharing.

Desserts maintain the high standard with classics reimagined, including Paris-Brest with hazelnut cream and chocolate, crème brûlée infused with coffee and lemongrass, and chocolate fondant with Tahiti vanilla ice cream. A selection of house-made ice creams in flavors like liquorice, Maria biscuits, and tuttifrutti with homemade sprinkles rounds out the sweet offerings, while a dessert trolley featuring daily selections of pastries and biscuits adds a touch of tableside theater.

This carefully curated menu reflects the Frantzén Group's philosophy of balancing innovation with tradition and luxury with accessibility, all while maintaining the impeccable standards that have earned their restaurants Michelin recognition worldwide. The culinary approach at Brasserie Astoria Nueva Andalucía promises to deliver a dining experience that is sophisticated yet approachable, making it poised to become a standout addition to Marbella's gastronomic landscape.

Looking Forward: A New Chapter for Marbella Dining

The arrival of Brasserie Astoria represents more than just a new restaurant opening; it signals Marbella's increasing prominence on the international culinary map. With the Frantzén Group choosing this location for their Spanish debut, Nueva Andalucía is positioned to become an even more attractive destination for discerning travelers and food enthusiasts.

For those eager to experience this new addition to Marbella's dining scene, further announcements regarding reservations and specific opening details are expected in the coming months as the May 2025 launch approaches. What is certain is that the restaurant will bring with it the impeccable standards and attention to detail that have earned the Frantzén Group their stellar reputation across multiple continents.

As the Costa del Sol continues to evolve as a luxury destination, the addition of world-class dining establishments like Brasserie Astoria helps cement its status as a region that offers the very best in gastronomy, alongside its renowned beaches, golf courses, and Mediterranean lifestyle.

Opening on the 26th of May 2025 - Visit Brasserie Astoria at: https://www.brasserieastoria.es/