The Top 10 Restaurants in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Owned by the contemporary Horrach Moyà Gallery, Sadrassana is a feast for the eyes as well as the belly. It occupies a 19th-century, typically Mallorcan manor house in the city’s Old Town, with lush traditional interiors that are often the backdrop for TV and film (including BBC drama The Night Manager). But it’s the food that takes centre-stage, with inventive Balearic-inspired dishes that are quite simply sublime – the suckling pig and rack of lamb are two must-tries.

One of the newest kids on the block, Kurobota has made an immediate splash with its perfectly crafted and supremely mouthwatering small-dish menu of pan-Asian cuisine. The steamed pork belly buns are worth a visit alone, while those craving a more sophisticated mouthful can sample the likes of scorpion fish dumplings or soft-shelled crab. A resident mixologist also ensures cocktails are top-notch, with some genuinely original concoctions.

Situated on the northern edge of Old Town, this hip and buzzy eatery is a firm favourite with Palma locals. Original check-tile floors, exposed stone walls, and high ceilings make attractive surrounds for enjoying an impressively varied and mouthwatering menu. Dishes range in size from pintxos to rib-eye steaks, with a few quirky options such as mini-Angus burgers accompanied by tiny chips. Service is friendly, food delicious, and prices reasonable – what more do you want?

With its vintage Martini signs, impressive antique seltzer bottle collection, and colourful arrangement of hanging foodstuffs, La Rosa wins Palma’s most-Instagrammable award hands-down. Since opening in 2015, it’s been a hit with both residents and visitors, riding the wave of vermouth’s new-found popularity. Tapas-size dishes are carefully presented, often inspired by traditional Mallorcan cooking, as well as plenty of surprisingly tasty straight-from-the-tin options. Booking is for large groups only, so get there early for a table or expect a wait.

While set in Old Palma’s largely-rejuvenated Sa Gerreria neighborhood, Bocalto‘s surrounds still have enough grit for this eatery to feel like a bit of a diamond in the rough. Colourful graffiti-adorned walls outside create a pleasantly ‘urban’ contrast to a filling-though-sophisticated menu that could loosely be termed Modern Mediterranean. While vegetarians should probably steer clear, omnivores are spoilt for choice with a wide range of delicious seafood dishes and four types of steak – which we recommend pairing with their parmesan and truffle oil potatoes.

Set in the much-lauded five-star boutique Hotel Sant Francesc Singular, its restaurant Quadrat has also been on the receiving end of plenty of superlatives – and for good reason. Flavours are mostly Mediterranean with a local leaning and the occasional Asian accent, best exemplified in their mouthwatering dim sum stuffed with Mallorquin suckling pig. There’s a relatively reasonably priced three-course menu for lunch, or for the full experience the evening tasting menu is superb, though brace for a big dent in your wallet.

The first and only British chef to be awarded a Michelin Star in Spain, Marc Fosh opened his eponymous restaurant in 2009 (originally called Simply Fosh) to rave reviews – which have continued to today. Set in a swish contemporary hotel converted from a 17th-century convent, the impressive surroundings match the outstanding cooking. Food is Mediterranean-inspired with plenty of local ingredients – such as Mallorquin suckling pig and Soller prawns – and comes in the form of set menus for lunch, and tasting menus (with optional wine pairings) for dinner.

While the location – above Palma’s subterranean train station and next to its busy inner ring road – is far from ideal, its setting in an old, stylishly restored train office building is undeniably charming. But it’s La Parada‘s mouthwatering and superbly executed menu that has wooed many a diner, offering everything from breakfast and lunch, to afternoon snacks, dinner, and evening cocktails. The cuisine has been dubbed ‘traveller’, often meaning an innovative fusion of global influences from Peru to Japan, though not without a smattering of locally inspired dishes. Swing by on a Friday night for a full-on buzzy vibe with live music.

It is certainly impressive that while Adrian Quetglas is one of the newer fine-dining eateries in the Mallorcan capital, it is also only Palma’s second restaurant boasting a Michelin star. And it is well deserved, with a skilfully composed menu of dishes that blend local products and traditional recipes with avant-garde flourishes. Lunch is a set menu five-course menu (with optional wine pairing), while dinner is a fortnightly changing seven-course tasting menu. Although born in Buenos Aires, Adrian Quetglas – the man – is of Mallorcan stock, but cut his teeth in Moscow, bringing a truly international mix of flavours to his cooking. While not cheap, price-to-quality ratio is certainly high.

For a real blow-the-budget option that is guaranteed to wow, head to Emilio Innobar’s eponymous restaurant. This seasoned chef describes his creations as ‘Fine Fusion’, which, if anything, undersells the beautifully presented and wonderfully flavourful dishes presented to diners. There’s a strong seafood leaning, with the regular appearances by tuna tartare and various ceviches on the constantly shifting menu, with influences that range from Emilio’s native Mexico to the Far East, where he spent over a decade perfecting his sashimi skills. Book well ahead or expect to queue.