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Latest update: 16 February 2024
It is impossible to create a complete foodie guide of Palma de Mallorca. There are simply too many great restaurants and cafés to try. But, of course, I tested a few, so I’m happy to share my experiences of what I think the best restaurants in Palma de Mallorca are!
Coffee time: coffee cafés in Palma de Mallorca
I am not thrilled by the quality of the coffee in Mallorca. Too strong, burnt beans, non-foaming milk… It takes me a while to find a (in my view) decent coffee. Fortunately, you have a few friendly options in Palma de Mallorca!
Expensive cakes at Pleno
Pleno is a lovely spot for breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Everything is homemade: from kombucha to bread. The breakfast prices are reasonable, so the steep price (€7.50) for a piece of cake surprises me. Excuse me?! Ok, it was a big piece and delicious, but if I had known that… The coffee is fine, and they even have Oatly oat milk.
Coffee at Mama Carmen’s
Mama Carmen has two locations in Santa Catalina, close to each other. One is the “original” Mama Carmen’s, and the second is Mama Carmen’s Coffee & Bakery. The offer there is entirely vegan. The coffee is perfect, and that’s why it’s always busy at Mama Carmen’s. So if you spot a seat: go for it.
Tip! Want to score a sandwich in the city quickly? Go to Sa Trobada (Google Maps location). A typical Spanish spot to eat a Serrano ham or Manchego cheese sandwich with the locals. They also have tapas.
Best restaurants in Palma de Mallorca
In Palma de Mallorca, you can eat anything from paella to sushi, hamburger to lobster. Palma has a vibrant restaurant scene. You will undoubtedly find excellent restaurants in the Santa Catalina district.
Don’t be tempted by the restaurants in the center of Plaça Rei Joan Carles. Take Bar Bosch, for example, it looks nice, but the service is terrible and unkind. Instead, venture further into the center in search of the best restaurants in Palma de Mallorca
Authentic Italian food at Prosecco Santa Catalina Ristorante Pizzeria
It’s a mouthful: Prosecco Santa Catalina Ristorante Pizzeria. They will feed you up nicely here! Prosecco is a no-nonsense Italian restaurant. All attention goes to the taste, not the plating, and certainly not the interior. Everything is homemade, and the service is clearly proud of what they put on the table. Rightly so.
Living room-style at restaurant Bistro Esencia
Bistro Esencia is a small restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes. Italian, Spanish, and all with a modern twist. They recommend a suitable wine for every dish. The service is super friendly, and the decor is lovely and homely. I immediately feel welcome and at home.
Fancy tapas at restaurant La Bodeguilla
Downstairs, La Bodeguilla is a nice casual tapas restaurant with high tables. On the first floor, it is a bit chicer, but especially the dishes are classy. Beautiful plates, colorful food, surprising flavors. Be sure to plan a full evening out for your visit because you’ll want to sit and dine here all night.
Get more tips for a perfect Mallorca holiday, and sights in Palma de Mallorca.
Modern tapas restaurant Buscando el Norte
Buscando el Norte is a successful tapas restaurant with two branches in Palma de Mallorca. I visit the restaurant in Santa Catalina. There are also larger dishes for one on the menu, but trying a little bit of everything is much more fun. So go for the tapas, pinchos, and shared dishes. They are certainly not the standard tapas you get served; the kitchen is more experimental.
Local food market: Mercat 1930
Don’t feel like going to a restaurant in Palma de Mallorca but do you want to eat out? Then go to Mercat 1930. You will find all kinds of international cuisines under one roof in this food market. First, browse all the stalls and then choose because there are many options! In the back, you will find fresh fish, oysters, and razor clams, but you can also get noodles, sushi, and colored burgers. Of course, there is also a bar.
Going for drinks in Palma de Mallorca
Relax at an outdoor cafe after an afternoon of shopping or enjoy an endless, warm evening with just one glass of wine too many. In Palma de Mallorca, there are many, many cafes.
Cocktail bar Agabar
The Calle de la Fàbrica is a nice street with many food and drink options. But for a cocktail, you should make a stop at Agabar. This cocktail bar has Mexican vibes in terms of decor and flavors. You can order the classic cocktails, but they also have a few own creations. The bar staff is happy to create a unique cocktail based on your taste. The menu contains a few snacks, but the stars of the show are the cocktails.
Tip! Are you by any chance in Palma de Mallorca in November? Check if there is a new edition of TaPalma. It’s a tapas and cocktail trail through the city to try snacks or drinks for cheap. The participating cafes and restaurants can win prizes for the best cocktails and dishes.
Cocktails at Emblemàtic
Emblemàtic is one of those cafe-restaurants I wouldn’t go to judging from the outside. But they have an award-winning cocktail on the menu: the Figarel lo. With a gin infused with figs from Mallorca, honey foam, and more. And it is truly divine. The cocktail was specially made for the TaPalma competition, but hopefully, it will stay on the menu. And if not, there are plenty of other choices!
Toutatis: beer cafe
Drinking Belgian beers in an old church in Palma de Mallorca. Yes, you can. Toutatis brewery is the only Belgian beer brewer on the island. A Belgian architect lost his heart to the island and took his love of beer with him. The beers are not brewed in Palma de Mallorca, but you can definitely drink them in Palma! You can admire the Biblical paintings (all with a reference to beer) on the ceiling from the pews. You can also join a tasting or tour. For that, you have to send an email (I just never got an answer).
Wines, wines, wines at Mallorca Delicatessen – Mateu Pons
Actually, this is a deli. But you can taste everything too in the outdoor area at the side of the street: sandwiches, sausages, cheeses, hams – that sort of thing. Mallorca Delicatessen is in the shopping area, so it is pretty busy – hours of fun people-watching! The service is quick with the wine, not so fast with the food.
More Mallorca inspiration?
Useful links for your Mallorca trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorite: Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. You could also check out WithLocals. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalk, and for bike tours, try Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. Get a 5% discount on museums and attractions with the coupon code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Boat. You can get to Mallorca by boat from Barcelona and other places on the Spanish mainland. Balearia also sails between the other Balearic islands. But be sure to compare prices at Omio and Direct Ferries.
- Car rental. Compare prices at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.
- Flights. Be sure to check out Vueling, but do compare all your options! Definitely check out Skyscanner and Kiwi.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Maybe Expedia or CheapOair have got a good deal for you.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel guides. I love the practical travel guides from Lonely Planet, buy them at Amazon. And I love this guidebook: 111 Places in Mallorca that you shouldn’t miss. Buy it at Amazon.
- Yoga retreat. Or, what about a yoga retreat on the island?
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First published: July 2022. Updated since!
