People often ask me to recommend restaurants in Mallorca’s second-largest town, Manacor, so here are my top three places to eat out in the Llevant area’s capital.

Can March

First opened in 1925, Can March was originally a café serving locals. Today, brothers Miquel and Tolo Gelabert have made this the most popular restaurant in Manacor, even though its location is not central in the town. (Find parking on the side streets in the area, or travel by train to Manacor; it’s about a 10-15-minute walk to Can March).

Chef Miquel describes his cuisine as ‘new Mallorcan’: traditional dishes with a modern and international touch, based on local, seasonal produce. While he’s in the kitchen, Tolo and his wife Cati are front of house – which is efficiently run. 

The three-course weekday lunch costs 18€ and offers a choice of four starters, four main courses, and desserts – with vegetarian options available. The daily changing menú del día isn’t printed, so Cati comes to the table to tell you the choices.  Xeixa wheat bread, oil, and salt cost an extra 1.90€ per person and you’re asked whether you want it – unlike many restaurants where you’re served it automatically. I’m a bit fussy about bread and don’t really enjoy the sliced, standard, white baguette that is often in a bread basket.

It’s essential to book a table for lunch at popular Can March. And to look at the à la carte menu, which is also well priced for the quality. Rice dishes are good, with a choice of seven types (including paellas) ranging from 15€ to 25€ a head. For a treat, try the tasting menu at 50€.

Open for lunch daily (except Mondays) from 13:00h to 15:30h. Dinner (Friday and Saturday only) 20:00h–22:30h

Übeck

Übeck opened at the end of 2021 and describes itself as a gastro-bar, offering flavours of the world made from local produce. The owner is Javier Hoebeeck, the chef behind the culinary creations at the Michelin-starred Fusion 19, but Übeck is run by Gabriel and Cassandra (in the chef’s hat). They offer what they call ‘real food’.

There’s table seating for around 20 diners and a few seats at the counter – behind which most of the cooking and plating is done. The interior is contemporary, clean, and bright, and the ambience is informal, with music playing.

The menu is displayed outside the restaurant – in English too – and there are always additional ‘specials’. I’m almost addicted to their large croquettes of chicken, spinach, peanuts, and curry – four for 8,20€. We like the wok udon too with crispy prawns (14,75€). Vegetarians have a couple of starters and a couple of main-course dishes to choose from on the main menu. Portions are generous here.

Übeck’s wines are displayed on shelves marked with bottle prices, which seem fair. Check out too the special-edition vermouth and hidromiel– the fermented honey drink known in English as mead.

There’s meter parking on the road where Übeck is located.

Open Wednesday-Sunday for lunch from 12:30h-16:00h & dinner from 19:30h-23:00h.

US Open Restaurant

You don’t have to be a tennis player or even visit the interesting multi-sports Rafa Nadal Museum to eat lunch at the tennis supremo’s expanding centre on the outskirts of Manacor, where there’s a choice of two restaurants: the Roland Garros and the US Open – the latter serving breakfast and lunch but not dinner.

The US Open Restaurant is light and airy, with floor-to-ceiling glass on one side, affording extensive views of some of the centre’s facilities. Framed posters from US Open tournaments hang on one wall. In fine weather, you can take a table on the terrace.

You’ll find an à la carte menu, compiled with the aid of Rafa’s nutritionist. Expect some healthy choices if that’s what you want, and some dishes cooked on the Josper grill. Poke bowls and pasta dishes cost 16,50€ each. Salmon fillet cooked in the Josper is 18€.

There’s a kids’ menu and good options for those who are gluten-free. Note: the restaurant no longer offers what was a bargain menu of the day when the space was in its former Sport Café guise.

The Rafa Nadal complex has the benefit of a huge car park – and a potential sighting of the man himself practising for a return to competitive tennis next year. Or even eating lunch.

Open daily for lunch 13:00-16:00h. Breakfast buffet €15 from 07:30-10:00h.

Jan Edwards ©2023