Eat Al Fresco this Summer at Restaurant Roland in Porto Cristo

The popular east coast of Porto Cristo is home to tennis supremo, Rafael Nadal. His impressive-looking house has a view across the water to the resort and to his catamaran, which – apart from the excursion boats – is the largest vessel moored there.

There’s more to see and enjoy in Porto Cristo – especially if you’re interested in caves (or a dinosaur theme park!) – but if you’re looking for dinner out that’s a little more refined than the seasonal, seafront eateries (some of which, such as the well-managed Quince, are worth a visit), I’d suggest Restaurant Roland.

Named for its chef/patron, Roland Schulte, this restaurant opened in its original Porto Cristo home in 2011; we ate there several times, and I reviewed the place for a local magazine. Earlier this year, Restaurant Roland gained that coveted outdoor dining space for the first time, when it relocated to where Osteria Dolores used to be, in one of the port resort’s residential streets.

The smart dining room, large courtyard garden for al fresco dining, and accomplished cooking make up for the lack of a sea view. Roland’s cuisine is international, market cuisine based on seasonal produce. His clientele is largely German and a bonus of this is that the restaurant opens at 6.30pm – Germans often dine earlier than Spanish people.

The Food

We visited earlier this year before the weather was warm enough to eat outside. A basket of three types of bread arrived with green olives and a fresh cheese spread – a pleasant change from aioli. Once we’d ordered, our server brought us a complimentary appetizer of turnip soup.

From the eight starters, I had crotin of goat cheese wrapped in kataifi on baby spinach leaves with pear chutney (15,50€). This tasty, multi-textural dish would be enough for two to share. The Boss enjoyed his Iberico pork samosas with an Asian salad (17,50€).

Our main course dishes were fillet of sea bass with black risotto and a lobster sauce (24,50), and coq au vin made with quail rather than the traditional rooster or chicken. (24,50€). Both were expertly cooked and attractively presented.

Desserts were a semifreddo of chocolate and caramel with an orange salad to counter the richness (11,50€) and crème brûlée of passion fruit with tonka bean ice cream and strawberries (11,50€). I’d recommend either of these.