07 Apr Why Palma Is Europe’s Hottest Foodie Haven

Image by Nicole Pankalla from Pixabay

In recent years, Palma has consolidated itself as a gastronomic hub of Europe. From guests on a budget who can eat like a local at one of the city’s markets, to those with more to spend who can indulge in a Michelin-starred meal, there is a range of culinary experiences for all. The capital of the Balearics is even home to some gastro-themed surprises, with secret supper clubs and the archipelago’s best burgers all being found in this historic city.

EAT LIKE A LOCAL AT PALMA’S GASTRO MARKETS

Palma is home to several bustling food markets, offering visitors the chance to eat like a local. Mercado del Olivar is one of the most famous, renowned for its wide variety of fresh produce, seafood, meats, and local delicacies. Visitors can explore the many stalls offering everything from traditional Mallorcan ‘Sobrasada’ to gourmet cheeses. The small restaurants and bars on-site use the market’s fresh ingredients in their mouthwatering dishes. There are stands dedicated to oysters, sushi, tapas and more offering a great way of soaking up both the atmosphere and flavours of the market. Meanwhile, one of the oldest markets in the city, Mercado Pere Garau, blends tradition with modernity. This market offers an array of fresh products, including fruits, vegetables, seafood, wines and liquors. Finally, Mercado Santa Catalina is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse selection of fresh food. Located near the harbour, the market specialises in seafood. Shoppers can even take their freshly purchased fish or meat to Bar Es Mercat, where they will grill it for a minimal fee, to enjoy with a glass of chilled white wine. Saturdays are particularly lively as locals linger after shopping to enjoy drinks and tapas in the market.

FINE DINING

Palma is home to some of the Balearic Islands’ most celebrated Michelin-starred and fine dining establishments, offering a blend of innovation and tradition. A high-end dining highlight is Marc Fosh, which offers tasting menus centred around the best local Balearic produce, with dishes including local goats cheese mousse with blackberry merengue and apricot-rosemary sorbet. DINS Santi Taura, which also holds a Michelin star, offers a menu that reinterprets traditional Mallorcan flavours with modern techniques and artistic flair without forgetting its roots. For those seeking something even more luxurious, Zaranda, located just outside Palma in the stunning Castell Son Claret Hotel, boasts two Michelin stars and offers an exquisite fine dining experience, focusing on high-quality, seasonal ingredients and refined culinary techniques. Their menus use eclectic ingredients, finding a balance between vegetables, cereals, legumes, seafood, fish, meat, poultry and dairy products. Visitors to Palma should also try to catch one of Hidden Kitchen’s monthly events, an innovative concept from Chefs(in) during which chefs prepare an exclusive surprise menu for a small number of diners in a secret location.

FOOD TOURS AND CRAWLS

Palma offers a variety of culinary experiences and workshops for tourists to try their hand at cooking local dishes themselves. Housed in an impressive medieval building, Deborah’s Culinary Island at Forn de sa Lotgeta offers a Market Tour and Traditional Cooking Workshop perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in Mallorca’s foodie culture. The four-hour hands-on class, which starts at €135 per person, begins with a wander through the Mercado del Olivar. Participants will delve into the market’s vibrant atmosphere to source ingredients needed for the cookery class. Afterwards, they will prepare an authentic seasonal menu made up of a snack, starter, main and dessert, accompanied by organic local wine. The guided class draws upon traditional cooking and food preservation methods to honour Palma’s historic culinary culture. For tourists who prefer to go it alone, there is the option of a more traditional self-guided tapas crawl through the Sa Gerreria district. Foodies can begin in the lively La Rosa Vermuteria, and work their way around restaurants and bars such as Quina Creu and Molta Barra, trying everything from calamari to beef tenderloin.

BEST BURGERS IN THE BALEARICS

For those with a hankering for a burger and chips while in the city, the ‘Sin Sentido’ burger from Sexto Sentido has just been crowned the best burger in the Balearic Islands with the local joint being found just round the corner from Mercat de l’Olivar in central Palma. This burger features matured beef, Mahón cheese, homemade Romy sauce, and bacon jam, all housed in a potato roll, creating a perfect blend of flavors. Meanwhile, Badal Corner offers creative and customizable burgers, with experimental toppings like foie gras and calamari for a burger with a twist. For foodies who love both gin and burgers, despite not being a common pairing, need look no further than Gin Burger. This restaurant, found in the Santa Catalina district, pairs 35 different gin varieties with juicy patties, including great vegetarian options, for burger afficionados looking for something a bit different.