Michelin-Starred
For food that has impressed gastronomy’s toughest critics – the Michelin inspectors – seek out the stars. Michelin recently awarded stars for the first time to the innovative cuisine at Es Fum (created by chef Thomas Kahl) in Costa d’en Blanes, and Restaurante Jardín in Puerto de Alcúdia – where Macarena de Castro became Mallorca’s first female chef to have her cuisine starred by the gastro guide.
In Deià, there’s Es Racó des Teix – where Josef Sauerschell’s cuisine initially won a star in 1991. Across the island, in the east coast resort of Sa Coma, is Mallorcan chef Tomeu Caldentey’s Es Molí d’en Bou; Tomeu’s cuisine was first recognised by Michelin in 2004. When talented chef Fernando Pérez Arellano moved his restaurant Zaranda from Madrid to the Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca, near Llucmajor, the Michelin star didn’t transfer with it – but the undercover inspectors soon came . . . as did the star.
Seafront
Mallorca’s coastline is dotted with great restaurants. In Puerto Portals, Gerhard Schwaiger surrendered his Michelin star for his new, more accessible, fish/seafood concept Tristán Mar. Dine Med-side at A Popa (Nixe Palace) and Senzone (Hospes Maricel). The Swedish-owned Hotel Portixol (Palma) and Hotel Espléndido (Puerto Sóller) both offer sea views. Also recommended in Puerto Sóller are Agapanto (organic veg used) andSó Caprichos. Along the coast is the idyllically located Bens d’Avall, Benet Vicens’ seasonal restaurant perched above Alconàsser cove. In the north of the island, you’ll need to book for La Terraza in Alcanada.Restaurante Stay in Puerto Pollensa has port and resort views. Hotel Barceló Formentor is a hideaway gem: dine formally in the hotel’s El Colomer or enjoy Italian cuisine at La Veranda on the beach. On the east coast,Sa Punta at Port Verd has both garden and seafront terrace. Rafa Nadal eats out here . . .
Restaurants for Golfers
There’s nothing like a round of golf to sharpen an appetite, but non-players too can enjoy eating out at some of Mallorca’s golf course restaurants. Vall d’Or Golf is home to mÁxime – named after chef Maxime Deymier – where the spacious terrace offers sweeping views over Portocolom and the southeast coast; open 365 days a year, their Friday night summer BBQs are worth the drive. La Reserva Rotana Hotel – home of 9-hole Rotana Greens – is located in a fertile valley near Manacor. The cuisine at Sa Rotana and the terrace Rotana Grill(open mid-April to September) incorporates estate-produced vegetables and herbs, and oil from their own olives. Restaurante Golf Alcanada offers snacks, a seasonal menu and the modern European cuisine of Galician chef Ricardo Suárez, with stunning sea views from the terrace. Closer to Palma, Son Vida Golf’s restaurant Es Pato serves chef Pius Schnider’s international cuisine with a Mediterranean touch.
Capital Restaurants
Palma de Mallorca is a foodie’s paradise. We love Tomeu Martí’s Japanese-Mediterranean fusion cuisine at Arume. British chef Marc Fosh’s reputation attracts diners to his Simply Fosh, Misa Braseria and Tasca de Blanquerna. For high-quality gastronomy at competitive prices, there’s Gerhard Berktold’s Basic Restaurant, or the ‘bistronomic’ Safrà 21 in Ciudad Jardín. In cosmopolitan Santa Catalina, dine on exquisite Lebanese cuisine at Restaurante Rotana, or Pan-Pacific dishes at surf-themed Duke. The team behind Duke now runsCan Punta in Portixol, offering a fusion of Greek and Balearic cuisine.
Tapas at Forn de Sant Joan (La Lonja) are probably Mallorca’s best – and the ambience is great too. Nearby, dine on authentic Italian cuisine at chic Ribello da Emilio Ingrosso. For boutique hotel fine dining, visit contemporary Puro Hotel (La Lonja) or elegant Can Cera Hotel (Old Town). Outside Palma’s centre, there’s cuisine described as ‘art on a plate’ at Pepe Pintos Cocinero.
Country & Courtyards
The majestic Sierra Tramuntana makes a romantic backdrop to countryside dining. Valldemossa Hotel & Restaurant has a terrace where you can dine with views of the village Chopin called “the most beautiful place in the world”. At Gran Hotel Son Net’s Oleum restaurant (home of the Puigpunyent estate’s original olive press), a new menu has been created by recently appointed chef Sergio Olmedo Amengual. Between Deià and Sóller, the restaurant at pretty Ca’s Xorc hotel offers à la carte dining and a six-course tasting menu. Deià is a renowned gourmet’s paradise: try candlelit El Olivo (La Residencia); Restaurante Sebastian, in a former 250-year-old stable, specializing in chef/patron Sebastian Pasch’s seasonal cuisine, and Sa Vinya, with a lovely garden setting and terrace, and dishes that impressed Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. For courtyard dining at its finest, head for El Patio, on the outskirts of Puerto Andratx, for Jens Krumbiegel’s signature dishes.
Traditional . . . with a Twist
Several talented young chefs have taken traditional Mallorcan recipes and creatively made them their own, working with top-quality local produce. Santi Taura Restaurante in Lloseta offers a fantastic value weekly-changing tasting menu – but you do need to book ahead. Sisters Maria and Teresa run Ca Na Toneta in Caimari, where organic vegetables from the family garden feature on the menu – but not on Mondays to Thursdays, when the restaurant is closed! Joan Marc Garcias was formerly chef at 3/65 at Hotel Son Brull, but is now firmly at the helm of his own Joan Marc Restaurant in Inca, serving innovative market cuisine. Also in Inca is the multi-award-winning Celler Can Amer, opened in 1963 in an atmospheric cellar dating from 1700. Further north, in Alcúdia (opposite the gateway to the walled old town) is Genestar, where Joan Josep Genestar prepares what is probably the best duck on the island!
– Font ABC Mallorca/ Jan Edwards
Mallorca Restaurant by ABC Mallorca