© Hotel Almudaina
© [J.Rains]
Prime Palma lunchtime spots
The perfect "menú del día" in Mallorca's gourmet capital
Plenty of Mallorca’s restaurants offer an affordable and seasonal ‘menú del día’ (normally a daily or weekly set, three-course lunch menu). Still adored today by the Spanish as a nation, this ‘lunch menu’ concept dates right back to the 1960’s with the ruling of Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco. In a bid to boost tourism, Spain was encouraged to introduce a set, three-course menu of authentic Spanish cuisine at an affordable price. Today, it remains one of the nation’s most celebrated culinary delights.
Thankfully the reasonably and fixed price ‘menú del día’ allows greater access to some of Mallorca’s most exclusive restaurants . With lunchtimes tending to be quieter, it’s an excellent way for the restaurants to generate business by presenting a limited menu for an attractive price and of course, an excellent chance for the customer to indulge in something more special.
Below, we encourage you to take full advantage of the gastronomic capital city’s best cuisine at unbeatable prices. Here are some of our favourite places to order a ‘menú del día’…
Michelin-starred experiences
Marc Fosh
Marc Fosh is the first British chef to receive a Michelin star in Spain, which makes his restaurant one of the most famous among some of the international visitors on the island. Located in a stylish contemporary hotel within a 17th-century building, the technical contrast continues to be mirrored throughout his food. Fosh is famous for creating modern Mediterranean cuisine, using fresh, local and seasonal market ingredients which have been carefully combined to create innovative dishes. Fosh’s four course ‘menú del día’ might begin with something along the lines of ‘Beetroot gazpacho with marinated serviola fish, horseradish ‘ravioli’ & mandarin’, followed by ‘Local ‘bombeta’ rice with white prawns, green asparagus and saffron-lemongrass sauce’. A secondary fish dish would usually follow, such as ‘Fillet of corvina with smoked aubergine, basil chlorophyll & achiote emulsion’ before progressing to a meatier creation such as ‘Local suckling pig ‘porc negre’ with celeriac puree, broad beans and green anise jus’. If you still have space for dessert, you can expect to enjoy something like ‘Cream of preserved lemon with dukkah, raspberry-rosewater sorbet & ras el hanout caramel’. This fine dining establishment concludes the meal perfectly with a selection of delicious petit fours. Remember the menu changes weekly, so this is merely an example of their menu style.
Five courses for €52.50, served Tuesday - Friday between 13:00 and 15:00.
Adrián Quetglas
Perfect for a celebration or special occasion, Michelin-starred restaurant, Adrián Quetglas offers a five-course gastronomical lunchtime feast. Born in Buenos Aires, Adrián is half Mallorquin and returned to Mallorca in 2015 after travelling and learning from some of the greatest chefs in the world. Establishing his project in Palma gained him a Michelin star and only the 2nd Michelin star of the city. Expect Adrián’s menu to look something like this: ‘Anchovy with piquillo peppers, smoked cheese and broken olives brioche, followed by ‘Essence of sweet potato and coconut with lamb sweetbreads.’ For the third course, an example would be ‘Hake with green peas, hibiscus and curry ali oli', followed by something like ‘Black pork with apricots, black garlic and sawdust of dried tender almonds '. This showstopping experience is topped off with a delicious dessert like ‘Cocoa wafe with banana and caramel of Amazonas rum’. Ensure you arrive with a healthy appetite!
Five courses for €35 with the option of a wine pairing for a €25 supplement, served Tuesday - between 13:00 and 15:00.
Local Favourites
Casa Gallega
Known for its quality, simplicity and authentic Ibèrico flavours, Casa Gallega is a local favourite, situated on the Avingudas surrounding the inner city of Palma. They offer a huge selection of courses to choose from, allowing you to eat there five times a week with a different option every day! Start with a petite portion of ‘Seafood paella’ or a lighter ‘Chicken caesar salad’, followed by an authentically served portion of fish, chicken or beef marinated in various ways and cooked ‘a la plancha’ (on the grill). Choose from their daily desserts or simply finish with fruit, plus a glass of wine or beer to accompany your meal. They have a sister restaurant in Alcudia, if you happen to be on the north side of Mallorca’s beautiful island.
The daily menu runs from Monday to Friday for €16,50 pp or €19,50 on Saturdays.
Basic Bar & Restaurant
Tucked away in a side street on the east side of the Avenidas, close to the big department store, El Corte Inglés, Basic Bar & Restaurant is a hidden treasure that was highly recommended by a friend who has lived on the island for over 20 years. The restaurant itself resembles an art gallery with a minimalist interior. The modern, Mediterranean menu beautifully compliments the setting with an artistic flare. There is a choice between three for your entrée and main course, finishing with a seasonal ‘Postre del día’. A sample menu here, would look something like this: ‘Chicken Gyozas with Ginger and Kim Chi Sauce’ to start, followed by ‘Tuna Fillet with Oriental Rice’ and ‘Apple strudel with vanilla sauce’ to finish. Their no-frills and friendly vibe frequently invites their returning Spanish customers and expats alike. Perfect for those who need to replenish after a busy morning of shopping in Palma or those who like to veer away from the touristy restaurants of the city.
Three courses, including a drink, for €16.90, served Monday to Saturday between 13:00 and 16:00.
La Vasca
Located within easy reach of Avenida Jaime III, you can escape the city hustle and bustle for an authentic Mallorcan setting at La Vasca; a superb spot and an opportunity to immerse yourself in the Mallorquin culture, rubbing shoulders with many of the local city dwellers. An example of their mouth-watering 'menú del día' might include a starter of ‘Filled cannelloni with minced beef and truffle' followed by ‘Cod gratinee with honey alioli’ and finishing finally with a Mallorcan version of everyone’s staple favourite - ‘Tarta de queso’.
Three courses for €13,95/ €12,95 for a half menu and €11,00 to take away, served Monday to Friday between 13:00 and 16:00.
Lunch with a view
Hotel Almudaina Restaurant
The roof-terraced restaurant of Hotel Almudaina is one of Palma’s hidden gems. Located on the busy Avinguda Jaume III, their entrance is easily missed but when located, you can make your way up to their rooftop terrace and Sky Bar. Here you can enjoy dining al fresco whilst admiring some of the best views of Palma’s old town, cathedral and port. Their 'menú del día' presents an array of international dishes, such as ‘Mussels with curry croquettes' to start, ‘Tuna Tataki with cous cous salad and dried fruits’ to follow, before cleansing your palette with a refreshing ‘Mint yoghurt cup with peach in orange syrup’. During the summer months especially, we recommend booking your table in advance to ensure it is in the sunshine… and remember to bring a camera!
Three courses and a glass of wine/beer is all available for €19,50, served Monday to Friday between 13:00 and 16:00.
More inspiration...
So there you have it, some of our top picks in Palma. There are usually two or three options to choose from when ordering each course, so you should find something to tickle your taste buds. 'Menús del día' are a great way to try something a bit different, rather than opting for your usual favourites. Enjoy!
