Two restaurants on Mallorca have gained a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Spain & Portugal 2018: Aromata in Palma and Sa Fàbrica in Inca. Michelin awards the Bib Gourmand to establishments that they consider have the ‘best quality-price relationship’.  Son Tomás in Banyalbufar retains the Bib Gourmand it had for 2017.

We’ve eaten in both of these newly-awarded restaurants a few times and they offer impressive value for money for the high standard of cuisine. Aromata and Sa Fàbrica are both open for lunch and dinner. If you’re looking for a high-quality lunch, with a price to make you smile, rather than wince, check out what’s on offer.

Aromata

Aromata’s Mallorcan owner Andreu Genestra is renowned for his eponymous (seasonal) restaurant in Capdepera, which holds one Michelin star. (His Senzill bistro – within the same hotel – is also worth a visit). Aromata is in Palma and the weekday lunch menu (which changes weekly) is one of the Mallorcan capital’s best bargains: three courses (with choices) for 15,50 euros including bread and a glass of wine or beer or water.

Here are the flavourful dishes I ate at Aromata during our last visit, in October:

Cream of smoked celeriac with caramelized figs, and black olive mousse – starter enjoyed in October as part of the great-value ‘menu del dia’

Confit free-range chicken with tender artichokes in a sweet-and-sour spicy tomato sauce

Chocolate mousse, vanilla foam and cardamon meringue

Sa Fàbrica

Located in the renovated old Ramis leather factory in Inca, Sa Fàbrica has Marcel Ress at the helm. This 29-year-old German chef won  the Spanish TV series ‘Top Chef de España’ in December 2015, while he was working at the Michelin-starred Simply Fosh (now Marc Fosh) in Palma.

Sa Fàbrica’s weekday lunch menu (Tuesday to Friday except public holidays) also changes weekly and offers three courses (with choices) including bread for 15 euros. If you have a healthy appetite – or just can’t decide what to choose – go for the 5-course option for 25 euros, which includes two starters, two mains, and a dessert. The 5-course option is also available on Saturdays and public holidays.  Well worth a visit – and only a few minutes’ walk from Inca’s train station.

Here are a few photos from one of the lunches I had in the summer.

Contemporary industrial chic setting

Marcel Ress (left) in Sa Fabrica’s open kitchen

Interior of Sa Fabrica at Inica

Lunchtime menu of the week at Sa Fabrica (example)

Sadly, my iPad battery failed before I could photo any of the dishes; for examples of the cuisine, here are the dishes we ate one evening when we had the Chef’s Choice menu (35 euros for five dishes). Sa Fàbrica also offers an à la carte menu.

Is it lunchtime yet?

©Jan Edwards 2017