Cala d’Or in Mallorca has no shortage of restaurants, especially around the marina. So how do you choose where to eat in the face of what looks like a bewildering choice? Well, you could go for a restaurant that’s been satisfying diners in Cala d’Or for 35 years: Port Petit.

Not only does the smart Port Petit have a great location and gorgeous views over the marina from its dining room and terrace, but also a well-deserved reputation for fine dining. The Michelin Guide for 2023 includes it in its recommendations for Mallorca. 

French chef Gérard Deymier first opened his Port Petit restaurant in 1988. Today, his chef son Màxime is in charge. The Mediterranean cuisine reflects French heritage but now shows international influences, including Asian and Peruvian. The family finca supplies some home-grown vegetables and herbs. Choose from à la carte or the gourmet or tasting menus or, at lunchtime, the Bistro Menu. 

The Bistro Menu at Port Petit

We went on a Sunday and were able to park easily on the street a short walk from the restaurant – although that may not be the case in high season. Once seated on the terrace, we studied the Bistro Menu, with its choice of three starters, three mains, and two desserts. Lunch included a promising start of warm bread roll, alioli, tapenade, and olives. I chose a crisp pastry tart of seasonal vegetables with warm sobrasada vinaigrette and salad; my husband had the marinated salmon with cauliflower pickles and beetroot ketchup. 

For mains, my delicious seafood tempura included pieces of salmon, mussel, prawn, and squid, with a seasonal salad; I declined the accompanying black garlic alioli.  Across the table, my husband ate and relished his confit leg of duck, sautéed potatoes with mushrooms, bacon, and poultry jus. 

Desserts were a refreshing pineapple carpaccio roasted with black pepper and served with coconut sorbet, and a more calorific French petit choux craquelin (a type of brioche) with pistachio cream and orange compôte. 

Wines at Port Petit

As you’d expect from a restaurant of this quality, the wine list has a good choice of Mallorcan, Spanish, and French wines. But there’s also a white and a rosado from its own vineyard, Viña Querel, which Gérard planted in 2008. I enjoyed a glass of their Flor de Cerezo rosado. 

Service from Paco and the team was excellent, and they didn’t know I was reviewing the place. So, for that service, the tasty food, and the scenic location, I consider the Bistro Menu at 26,50€ (including VAT) to be good value. We shall return to Cala d’Or … and Port Petit.

Good to Know

• Port Petit is open for lunch (13:00-14:45h) and dinner (19:00-22:30h) but is closed all day Tuesday and on Wednesday lunchtime. 
• Port Petit publishes its latest Bistro Menu (and other menus) on its website. I wish other restaurants would follow suit.
• Port Petit opens for the 2024 season on March 27th.

Jan Edwards ©2023 Updated March 2024