Taste Europe: a tour of Europe's most delicious cities
Incredibly delicious and deceptively simple, Mallorcan cuisine enjoys the benefits of a location right between the Spanish mainland and northern Africa, resulting in a fusion of flavours.
Ashley FleckensteinMallorca has a really special cuisine, rooted in Spanish, Mediterranean and Catalan culinary traditions all with a Balearic flourish.
Raw, cured and spiced pork sausage with a rich red hue (derived from its paprika seasoning). Sobrasada has a soft texture, making it perfect for spreading on bread or incorporating in meat sauces.
Sebastian Canaves @OffThePathComThis is not only a sausage. It’s the most famous sausage from the island and registered as a Mallorcan geographical denomination.
A vegetable dish made by frying potatoes, red peppers, and aubergine; then layering them in a terracotta bowl; covering them with garlic and tomatoes; and baking in the oven.
Ashley Fleckenstein @AshleyHFleckAnother island favorite is tumbet, a vegetable stew of eggplants and potatoes in olive oil.
This brilliantly simple raw vegetable salad consists of diced tomatoes, green bell peppers and onion; tossed together with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesIn summer, dishes such as trampó, a salad of tomatoes, onion and green peppers; are popular.
This sumptuous round spiral pastry is made with a pork lard reduction called saïm, from which it derives its name. The flaky outer crust is topped with powdered sugar.
Sebastian Canaves @OffThePathComIt’s a sweet spiral-shaped bun and you can get it in all sizes. Mallorcans eat it for breakfast and dunk it into their coffee or hot chocolate.
Mallorcan soups encompass a variety of different dishes, and consist of seasonally available vegetables, often with meat and mushrooms added and served with country-style bread.
Traditional boiled pork sausage made with a mixture of lean meat, fat, blood, offal, spices and salt. Available in two varieties, blanco and negre, with the color difference determined largely by blood content.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesFor centuries, pork has been the cornerstone of the islanders’ diet; it forms the foundation of many dishes, both sweet and savoury.
Delightfully simple, pa amb tomàquet is commonly eaten as a snack or appetizer. It consists of garlic-rubbed baked bread spread with tomato and olive oil, and seasoned with salt.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesIt sounds simple, but is one of the great treasures of the Catalan kitchen and not to be missed.
Slow-roasted suckling pig brushed with olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, and sometimes brandy. Traditionally cooked until the outer skin is browned and crispy.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesLechona asada is really a Christmas dish, but may be found on menus at other times.
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Llotja del Peix
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Rastro
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Sineu
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Inca
They have tried and tested all that the Mallorcan markets and restaurants have to offer. Here, our food experts advise you how and where, to taste the most authentic dishes the island has to offer.
Ashley Fleckenstein @AshleyHFleckMallorca’s greatest culinary strength is its ingredients. The local summer produce of juicy loquats, apricots and white peaches is bar-none, and the island’s Mediterranean climate produces excellent olive oil and wine.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesDon’t miss a trawl around Mallorca’s various fresh-product markets; aside from the sheer bounty of produce available, it’s a great way to rub shoulders with local people.
Off The Path @OffThePathComThere are many great places to eat delicious Mallorcan food - some of the best restaurants can be found in the northern part of the island around Alcudia and Pollensa.
Ashley Fleckenstein @AshleyHFleckAs the oldest ice cream parlor in Mallorca, it boasts some of the island's best ice cream and pastries, like the ensaïmada.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesPopular for post-shopping coffee, brunch and laid-back lunches at the weekend, this place positively bristles with atmosphere.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesThis is one of the city’s oldest shops and purveyors of the finest porc negre artisan sausage in town.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesWith crystal chandeliers and a counter piled high with jewel-coloured sweet treats, this is the place to pick up a giant ensaïmada packed into a box, tied up with string.
Sebastian Canaves @OffThePathComThis is one of my favorite restaurants on the island. They have excellent tapas and one of the best paellas you have ever tasted.
Sebastian Canaves @OffThePathComAt Es Guix, you can eat the best suckling pig on the island. It also has a pool built into the rocks; if you go there in the summer don’t forget to take you bathing suit with you!
Sebastian Canaves @OffThePathComThis is a really great restaurant for everyone who enjoys a really good view. The food is also very good - typical Mallorcan food with great meat and fish dishes.
Sebastian Canaves @OffThePathComThis restaurant is situated in the middle of the harbor with a great view over the beaches, and the harbor is known for its excellent fish.
Ashley Fleckenstein @AshleyHFleckMercat de l’Olivar, offers local Mallorcan specialties like sobrassada, olives and loquats (Spanish: nísperos), as well as cheap tapas stalls and a public library.
Ashley Fleckenstein @AshleyHFleckLlotja del Peix is a fish market where vendors auction off the fishermen’s haul each morning. The fish market is a great place to buy mussels, clams and prawns.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesOccupying an entire block of the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, rub shoulders with local people and learn about the fish and seafood, and see what fruit and vegetables are in season.
A Palma institution, this flea market takes over part of the main ring road every Saturday morning with plenty of bargains to be had. From clothing, footwear, leather goods and artisan speciality food produce, you'll be sure to find some treats.
Insight Guides @InsightGuidesSineu market is excellent for a taste of old village life, and is one of the very few that still has a livestock section.
Also known as the "Leather City", Inca’s market is the largest on the island and is considered to be one of the most important in Mallorca. This is the perfect place to pick up some great leather goods and shoes.