Food · Palma de Mallorca · Spain
What to eat in Palma de Mallorca
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Palma de Mallorca, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Start with Ensaïmada, Sobrassada and Pa amb oli. Stand at the tapas counters of the Mercat de l'Olivar for oysters, grilled prawns or a plate of jamón and a glass of wine among the shoppers. Lunch is usually from about 1pm to 4pm and dinner from about 8pm, slightly earlier than mainland Spain in tourist areas.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Ensaïmada
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 6
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected.
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Breakfast
1.Ensaïmada
Mallorca's signature pastry: a light spiral of enriched dough made with pork lard (saïm) and dusted with icing sugar. Plain versions are the classic; others are filled with cabell d'àngel pumpkin jam or cream. Large ones are sold in flat octagonal boxes that travellers carry home on the plane.
Where: Historic bakeries and cafés across the old town; boxed ensaïmadas are also sold at the airport.
Snack
2.Sobrassada
A soft, spreadable cured pork sausage coloured and flavoured with paprika, made from Mallorcan black pig in its finest versions. It is eaten on bread, sometimes with honey, or cooked into dishes.
Where: Market stalls at the Mercat de l'Olivar and delicatessens in the old town.
Dish · Vegetarian
3.Pa amb oli
Mallorca's everyday meal: country bread rubbed with local ramallet tomatoes and olive oil, topped with ham, cheese, sobrassada or olives, and served with pickled samphire and peppers.
Where: Cafés and bars across the city, especially at lunchtime.
Dish · Vegetarian
4.Tumbet
Layers of fried potato, aubergine and red pepper baked with tomato sauce, served as a vegetable dish or alongside meat or fish.
Where: Traditional Mallorcan restaurants and lunch menus.
Dish
5.Frit mallorquí
A fry-up of diced lamb or pork offal with potatoes, peppers, fennel and garlic, a hearty traditional dish often eaten at festivals and in country restaurants.
Where: Traditional cellar restaurants (cellers) in the old town and inland towns.
Dish
6.Arròs brut
'Dirty rice' is a soupy rice dish with meat, game or chicken, vegetables and warming spices such as cinnamon and cloves, typical of the island's interior.
Where: Traditional Mallorcan restaurants, especially in cooler months.
Snack · Vegetarian
7.Coca de trempó
A thin, rectangular flatbread topped with trempó, the island's summer salad of chopped tomato, green pepper and onion, sold by the slice.
Where: Bakeries across Palma, especially in summer.
Dessert · Vegetarian
8.Almond cake (Gató d'ametlla)
A moist sponge made with Mallorcan almonds, traditionally served with almond ice cream. Almond trees cover much of the island's interior.
Where: Restaurant dessert menus and bakeries across the city.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Herbes de Mallorca
An anise-based herbal liqueur flavoured with local herbs such as fennel, rosemary and lemon verbena, ranging from sweet (dolces) to dry (seques). It is the traditional after-dinner drink.
Where: Offered after meals in traditional restaurants; bottles from delicatessens and markets.
Drink · Vegetarian
10.Mallorcan wine
The island's two wine appellations, Binissalem and Pla i Llevant, make reds from local grapes such as Manto Negro and Callet as well as international varieties.
Where: Wine bars in La Lonja and Santa Catalina, and winery visits around Binissalem.
Food experiences
Market tapas at the Olivar
Stand at the tapas counters of the Mercat de l'Olivar for oysters, grilled prawns or a plate of jamón and a glass of wine among the shoppers.
Breakfast in Santa Catalina market
The bars inside the Mercat de Santa Catalina serve coffee, pa amb oli and fresh juice to locals from early morning.
Tapas night in La Lonja
Hop between the bars around Sa Llotja and Carrer dels Apuntadors for pintxos and wine; arrive before 9pm for a seat.
Ensaïmada and hot chocolate
Old-town cafés and historic bakeries serve warm ensaïmadas with thick hot chocolate, a classic Palma afternoon treat.
Quick bites and street food
- Ensaïmada — Historic bakeries and cafés across the old town; boxed ensaïmadas are also sold at the airport.
- Sobrassada — Market stalls at the Mercat de l'Olivar and delicatessens in the old town.
- Coca de trempó — Bakeries across Palma, especially in summer.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 6 are usually vegetarian: Pa amb oli, Tumbet, Coca de trempó, Almond cake, Herbes de Mallorca and Mallorcan wine. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Lunch is usually from about 1pm to 4pm and dinner from about 8pm, slightly earlier than mainland Spain in tourist areas.
- The weekday menú del día is the best-value meal in the city.
- Seafront restaurants on the Passeig Marítim and around the cathedral charge for location; Santa Catalina and the markets are better value.
- Many restaurants in beach resorts close in winter, but most in central Palma stay open year-round.
- Book Santa Catalina and La Lonja restaurants ahead on summer weekends.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected. Rounding up in bars and leaving around 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bon dia | Good morning (Catalan) |
| Gràcies | Thank you (Catalan) |
| Adéu | Goodbye (Catalan) |
| Una ensaïmada, per favor | An ensaïmada, please |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please (Spanish) |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Palma de Mallorca famous for?
Ensaïmada, Sobrassada, Pa amb oli and Tumbet. Mallorca's signature pastry: a light spiral of enriched dough made with pork lard (saïm) and dusted with icing sugar.
+Is Palma de Mallorca good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Pa amb oli, Tumbet and Coca de trempó.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Palma de Mallorca?
Tipping is not expected. Rounding up in bars and leaving around 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated.