Looking for authentic Italian food in Mallorca’s capital, Palma? Then do as the King of Spain and Hollywood ‘royalty’, Morgan Freeman, have done and head for Sandro Restaurante.

Sandro Restaurante is named after Sandro Putignano, previously the maître d’ at the former Puerto Portals restaurant Tristán, which had two Michelin stars back in the day. Sandro left Tristán after twelve years to open his eponymous restaurant in May 2014. Offering authentic Italian cucina, this natural-light-filled, high-ceilinged restaurant is welcoming and usually busy.

Four of us went for lunch and were seated at a round table by the window. You don’t come here for the views of the city’s busy traffic though: it’s all about good Italian food and conviviality.

Sandro’s à la carte menu features the classics of the Italian kitchen. We began with promising, warm focaccia and tasty olives in a home-made dressing and a glass of prosecco. 

Our friendly English-speaking server told us of three additional dishes available that day. We chose to share one of these – mozzarella ‘knots’ on a bed of rocket and a tomato concassé – and, from the menu of antipasti, the classic melanzane alla parmigiana, (my favourite aubergine dish). I was intrigued by the notion of the cheese dish, imagining an Italian nonna somewhere in her kitchen, painstakingly using her arthritic fingers to tie mozzarella into knots. Slippery, or what?

The menu has other sections of pasta, classics and risottos, pizzas, fish, meat, and desserts.

Two of us had different ravioli dishes, one had linguine alla Puttanesca (14,50€), and I had a generous portion of spaghetti ai frutti di mare (19,50€).

One to Try?

Strangely, not one of us chose the dish that Morgan Freeman made famous when he ate here while filming in Mallorca in January 2023. The movie star said that the home-made tagliatelle alla Bolognese was ‘the best of my life’ and returned to Sandro to eat it again within days. You’ll find it on the menu alongside a small illustration of the movie star’s face and, despite Mr Freeman’s glowing endorsement, this dish costs only 17,50€.

Only one of us had room for dessert: a thick slice of pineapple marinated in Amaretto and citrus, caramelized, and served with vanilla ice cream (6€). 

Wines by the glass were reasonably priced.

Good to Know

Gluten-free spaghetti and penne are available on request.

Open for lunch and dinner, but closed on Tuesdays.

Sandro Restaurante is very close to the hotel HM Palma Blanc. It’s on the corner of Carrer d’Eivissa and Carrer de Ramon y Cajal.

The nearest underground car park is in Passeig de Mallorca (also known as Paseo de Mallorca).

Jan Edwards ©2024