Typical dishes from the Mallorca kitchen

Menu with a Mediterranean flavour

Versatile, fresh, regional and definitely hearty - that's what characterises Mallorcan cuisine. The island has produced a number of specialities and is known for its Mediterranean lineage. Anyone who enjoys one or two delicacies on Mallorca has already tasted a good piece of Mallorca and easily develops an idea of how the food matures here.

Food and Spain are also inseparable parts of the good life on Mallorca. Mallorcans may skimp on breakfast, but they celebrate other meals, especially dinner. Three courses are standard. Meals are eaten in company and rarely before 9.00 pm. The main ingredients of Mallorcan cuisine are vegetables (especially peppers, tomatoes, courgettes and aubergines), meat (especially pork and lamb), all kinds of fish, snails, seafood and many a sweet treat.

Whether in small charming restaurants, trendy beach bars, innovative gourmet restaurants, in the charming cellar vaults, at the weekly market or in the market halls - eating on Mallorca is an experience. We have put together a list of the specialities you will find on one menu or another:

Savoury

• Bocadillos Spanish cuisine would be unthinkable without bread rolls filled with serrano, cheese, tuna or meat. Whether you're strolling through town, having a coffee or enjoying a snack on the beach - bocadillos can be found everywhere. Pa amb oli, a bread spread with tomato and oil, is also popular.
• Tapas These popular snacks are not typically Mallorcan and yet they are extremely popular. Tapas are versatile, experimental and sociable - how about a tapas tour through Palma with family and friends?
• Coca Mallorquina The answer to Italian pizza is "Coca Mallorquina", a savoury yeast dough topped with vegetables that originated in the Balearic Islands. Unlike the Italian classic, however, cheese is not included.
• Sobrasada The raw sausage made from lean pork, a little bacon and spices can be recognised by its bright red colour. This sausage speciality can be found in pretty much every pantry on Mallorca and is a typical product of the island. Locals use it to spread on their country bread or to flavour other dishes.
• Sopa Mallorquin A colourful mix of peppers, tomatoes, peas, garlic, onions and cabbage combined with toasted bread makes a typical Mallorcan soup that is often served and enjoyed as a starter.

Hearty

• Frito mallorquin Rustic and agriculturally characterised, that too is Mallorca. A character that finds expression in this dish typical of the island. The preparation of this classic dish, a stew of offal and vegetables cooked in a traditional clay pot, varies.
• Arroz brut Although most tourists are familiar with paella, it is not originally Mallorcan. Instead, the dish arròs brut ("dirty rice"), a stew of rice with meat or fish and saffron, is traditional for the island.
• Suckling pig Especially in the colder months of the year, when you're hungry for something hearty after a long hike, it's worth trying the Mallorcan suckling pig, "porcella". It roasts in the oven for hours until it is golden brown and juicy, still tender and pink on the inside. The meat usually comes from the local black pigs and becomes a real delicacy with a spicy sauce.

Sweet

• Empanadas Like bocadillos, empanadas are a typical component of every Mallorcan bakery. The pastries filled with savoury or sweet ingredients come in all shapes and sizes. Whether with vegetables, fish or meat - it's worth trying.
• Almond cake Gato d'almendra is perhaps the most beautiful temptation of Mallorcan baking. The almond cake always works, as a dessert, for breakfast or as a snack.
• Ensaïmada de Mallorca Another original Mallorcan speciality and a must during any stay in Mallorca. A filled or unfilled yeast bun, spread with lard and a must at a cafe con leche.
• Pa de Figa This Mallorcan fig bread is a little sticky but thoroughly delicious. All you need is figs, aniseed (ground), almonds and a little sun to dry it out.

Best accompaniment

• Vino Of course, how could it be otherwise. Wine growing has always played a major role on Mallorca and characterises both the culture and landscape of the Mediterranean island. It is a favourite among Spaniards for both lunch and dinner. The island offers numerous options for wine lovers on holiday - from wine tasting to a romantic dinner at a traditional winery.
• Oranges One of the most popular excursions has always been a trip on the traditional railway to Soller. In addition to this popular attraction, the mountain village is also known for another speciality - oranges. Sweet and juicy, a real treat. Also a feast for the eyes - especially in autumn, a hike is worthwhile to let your gaze wander over the valley and watch the farmers harvesting.
• Olives Just like the orange trees, the olive trees guarantee culinary delights as well as added scenic value. They give the island its incomparable Mediterranean charm and the pressed oils are the perfect souvenir for any amateur chef.
• Hierbas Mallorcan hospitality tastes as varied as the island itself. Numerous local herbs and flavours are used in the popular aniseed schnapps. There are numerous recipes and many restaurateurs, who traditionally serve the drink as a nightcap, create their own variations.

Recommendations for Mallorca cuisine

• 1st Ruta Martiana in Palma - If you want to try the "small" cuisine of the island, go to the Ruta Martiana on Tuesday evenings. In many pubs and restaurants, small snacks that are typical of Mallorca are served with wine and beer. From tortilla to croquetas, calamari or chorizo - in many pubs, the traditional classics find a new setting and are presented in a modern and surprising way.
• 2nd Tapas Tour - A tapas tour through Palma's old town is the best way to discover the city's gastronomy. Accompanied by a local guide, you will head for the right bars and restaurants to taste delicious wines and let Mallorcan olive oil melt in your mouth with bread and tapas.
• 3. gourmet food - You can eat really well in one of the island's top restaurants. For many years, this has included Xinos by Michelin-starred chef Gerhard Schwaiger. A gourmet rally for the palate and senses.