Mallorca Restaurants

As a major holiday destination, Mallorca is full of places to eat out and visitors will find venues to suit all tastes and budgets. If you’re not feeling especially adventurous with regards to the local cuisine, then fortunately, you will find a number of restaurants serving English, German, Italian and other European cuisines as well as Chinese takeaways and various fast food joints selling burgers, fish and chips and other late-night delights.

Local cuisine

The local cuisine takes its influences from Moorish, Jewish and Catalan origins.  While many of the restaurants in the highly developed tourist areas will tailor their food somewhat to appeal to unaccustomed palates, it is possible to find some authentic dishes in the family-run restaurants situated off the main drags and at some of the island’s upmarket hotels. Local specialities include pa amb oli, which is Mallorcan toast with garlic and tomato; tumbet, a ratatouille with potatoes; cassola de peix, which is a delicious fish casserole; and trempó, a salad consisting of tomato, pepper and onion. Paella, of course,  is on menus throughout Mallorca and while not a traditional Mallorcan dish it is such a staunch Spanish favourite that you’d be crazy not to give it a try. For dessert, a local favourite is ensaimada, which is a light pastry containing jam or custard. Restaurants won’t cost you the earth and you’ll find prices lower than in major European cities, especially the farther away you move from the popular tourist areas.

Mallorca restaurant areas

People tend to dine late in Mallorca, so don’t be surprised if the locals don’t venture out until 20:00 or 21:00; however, some restaurants do open earlier, so you can tailor your evening meal around your own evening agenda. Tipping is customary provided you are happy with the service and you should leave somewhere between five and 10 per cent of the total bill figure.