Mallorca’s weather has been a little ‘off’ recently (at least in the northeast of the island, where I live), but wildflowers are appearing in fields and verges, with the promise of better weather to come as we approach the official start of spring. Seasonal restaurants and hotels are starting to re-open and, if you’re a Mallorca resident, you may find some special hotel deals for residents during this early part of the season. One hotel […]
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” So said the author Henry James, whose works included the 19th-century novel, The Portrait of a Lady. If you agree with Mr James, you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s now possible to have a traditional English-style afternoon tea in Mallorca’s capital, Palma. It’s even served in a palace, to add to the civilized nature of […]
During our only holiday in Tenerife (to date), I discovered the Canarian island’s distinctive cuisine. Papas arrugadas – which means ‘wrinkly potatoes’ – became almost an obsession. They’re a must-try if you visit the Canaries – or the restaurant La Vieja de Jonay Hernández in Palma, Mallorca’s capital. In the Canaries, this emblematic dish is usually made from the variety of small potatoes known as ‘papa bonita’. Cooked with a large amount of salt or, […]
It’s known as lightning fish, dolphinfish, mahi mahi, and the local name, llampuga. Call it what you will, this seasonal, migratory fish is so named locally because its arrival in the seas around Mallorca coincides with the end-of-summer thunderstorms. Llamp is the Catalan word for lightning. This white fish is delicious grilled or fried simply in olive oil with garlic and red peppers, but creative home cooks and professional chefs can find plenty of ways […]
Basic Bar Restaurante in Palma is a hidden gem in Mallorca’s capital. You’re not likely to stumble across the place on a sightseeing wander because it’s in a side street off the busy Carrer Aragó. This isn’t an area usually frequented by visitors to the city, although the large El Corté Inglés department store is only a few minutes’ walk away. We’ve eaten many times at Basic since it opened in 2009, because the food […]
Where did the summer go? It’s hard to believe that September is already here, and the meteorological autumn has begun. I refuse to say goodbye to summer until the astronomical autumn begins on the 23rd of this month. I say this even though a heavy storm is raging over a large part of Mallorca this afternoon, making everything look – and sound – positively autumnal. With a few weeks of astronomical summer left, there’s still […]
Yearning for a Michelin-starred dining experience in Mallorca, but held back by the three-figure-per-person cost? The next best thing is to find out which of these restaurants have a chef responsible for other, less expensive establishments. Over several years, I was fortunate to eat in all the Michelin-starred restaurants for review purposes, but Fusion19 in Playa de Muro didn’t have a star back then. The famous red guide awarded the coveted star for 2023 (and […]
Mallorca has its own traditional rice dishes, but paella – which originated in Valencia – is the dish many people seek out when they come to the island. You can find some well-made paellas in restaurants in Mallorca, but learning how to make it yourself is a useful skill to take back home to impress family and friends. Paella Workshop & Lunch in the Countryside The beautiful 5-star boutique hotel Finca Ca’n Beneït, nestling in […]
If you were watching the TV series Marcus in the Med on Monday evening, you will have seen a young woman named Paula talking about, and sharing, a coca with the British chef. Coca is sometimes referred to as the Mallorcan equivalent of pizza. It’s a delicious snack for anytime and I love it topped with spinach or Swiss chard. Paula Mas Boned has a cookery school called Soqueta Experiences in Sant Jordi (not far […]
Mallorca has plenty of Italian eateries for those who, like me, enjoy the flavours of Italy. Italian restaurants are also usually a good option for vegetarians, of whom there are a few among my family and friends, so it’s helpful to know some good places. If you’re looking for a taste of la dolce vita in the northeast part of Mallorca – the area known as the Llevant – here are three I’d recommend. El […]
Eat Drink Sleep Mallorca 