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Mallorca’s food scene is incredibly varied. A memorable meal might be an affordable menú del día in an inland village, a freshly prepared paella near the beach or an elaborate Michelin-starred tasting menu that lasts for more than three hours.

Food journalist Mia Naprta spends much of her time visiting restaurants, bars, hotels and new openings across the island. Her work takes her beyond the familiar tourist favourites and into towns and neighbourhoods that many international residents and visitors rarely explore.

These are some of her recent discoveries, along with her opinions on everything from the value of a traditional Spanish lunch to whether paella has become both expensive and overrated.

The Continuing Appeal of the Menú del Día

A Good Lunch Does Not Need to Be Expensive

One of Mia’s favourite assignments is searching for a good menú del día.

The traditional Spanish set lunch generally includes a choice of starter, main course and dessert, often with bread and a drink. Prices vary considerably depending on the restaurant and location, but a menú del día can still offer excellent value compared with ordering from the main menu.

It is also an opportunity to experience a more local way of eating. Lunch becomes a proper break in the day rather than something rushed between activities.

For Mia, the appeal is not simply about finding the lowest price. A worthwhile menú del día should offer good cooking, fresh ingredients and enough choice to make the meal enjoyable.

Look Beyond Mallorca’s Tourist Areas

Some of Mallorca’s most interesting and affordable restaurants can be found beyond Palma and the areas most frequently visited by the international community.

Restaurants in inland towns and villages often rely upon local residents throughout the year. They cannot depend entirely on a short summer season, so consistent quality, sensible pricing and repeat customers are particularly important.

Exploring these areas can also introduce diners to traditional dishes and local ingredients that are not always prominent on menus designed principally for tourists.

Casa Chiringo: Proper Paella in Palmanova

Has Paella Become Overrated?

Mia admits that she had started to find paella both expensive and overrated. Too many restaurants appear to rely on the reputation of the dish, and their seaside location, without delivering the quality diners should expect.

A recent visit to Casa Chiringo in Palmanova helped to restore some of her enthusiasm.

Casa Chiringo specialises in Mediterranean cooking and rice dishes, with paella at the heart of its menu. According to Mia, the restaurant has taken care to learn from Valencian chefs and prepare its paella in a way that respects the dish’s origins.

The paellas cost approximately €22 to €26, depending on the variety. Mia tried a mixed version containing chicken, seafood and green beans.

What Makes a Good Paella?

A good paella depends on the rice, the stock, the balance of ingredients and the cooking technique.

The rice should absorb the flavours without becoming wet or creamy. The prized caramelised layer at the bottom of the pan, known as the socarrat, adds texture and depth when it is prepared properly.

A good paella should also be cooked to order. Diners need to be prepared to wait because this is not intended to be instant food.

Mia believes that the training and attention to technique at Casa Chiringo separate its paella from the disappointing versions frequently sold in restaurants overlooking the sea.

Casa Chiringo is close to the Palmanova seafront but is distinct from the group’s beachfront venue, Il Chiringo Beach. Its focus on rice dishes makes it the more relevant choice when paella is the reason for the visit.

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Brunch and Japanese Pancakes in Palma

Mallorca’s brunch scene has expanded considerably, particularly in Palma, where traditional cafés now sit alongside restaurants influenced by international food trends.

Japanese soufflé pancakes have become one of the more eye-catching additions. They are much thicker and lighter than ordinary pancakes, with their distinctive airy texture created using whipped egg whites and careful cooking.

One Palma venue attracting attention for them is Fluffy in Santa Catalina. Its towering Japanese-style pancakes are served with different toppings and syrups, making them a particularly indulgent brunch option.

Selvatge: A Great Reason to Visit Selva

Discovering Mallorca’s Inland Food Scene

Selvatge is situated in Selva, a traditional town at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains.

The restaurant occupies a restored 19th-century manor house on the town’s main square. Its presence demonstrates how ambitious restaurants are increasingly appearing outside Palma and Mallorca’s principal coastal resorts.

Travelling inland for lunch or dinner can become part of the experience. Selva offers a very different atmosphere from the capital, and a restaurant reservation can be combined with time exploring the town and the surrounding Raiguer region. Mia believes that some of Mallorca’s most interesting restaurants can be discovered by leaving the familiar international dining circuit and it’s well worth getting off the beaten track to explore.

Zaranda: A Three-and-a-Half-Hour Dining Experience

Michelin-Starred Dining in Palma

At the far end of the dining spectrum is Zaranda, chef Fernando Pérez Arellano’s Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Es Príncep hotel in Palma.

This is not a restaurant for a quick dinner before continuing elsewhere as Mia’s tasting-menu experience lasted approximately three and a half hours!

Zaranda combines intricate cooking with storytelling, detailed presentation and elements of theatre. Each dish contributes to a wider concept, turning the meal into a carefully structured experience rather than a collection of unrelated courses.

Food, History and Storytelling

Zaranda draws inspiration from the history of its surroundings. Es Príncep stands near Palma’s former tanners’ quarter, and references to skin, leather and texture have been incorporated into the restaurant’s culinary concepts.

For Mia, the exceptional level of detail was one of the most memorable parts of the experience. The presentation, show cooking and explanations accompanying each course all contributed to the sense of occasion.

Zaranda is unlikely to be an everyday restaurant for most diners, but we think it would be a great location for a birthday, anniversary or another special celebration.

Mallorca’s Food Scene Rewards Curiosity

These Mallorca restaurants could hardly offer more different experiences.

A menú del día provides an affordable introduction to local cooking. Casa Chiringo serves Mediterranean rice dishes close to the coast. Fluffy brings Japanese-inspired pancakes to Palma’s brunch scene, while Selvatge gives diners a reason to explore inland Mallorca. Zaranda transforms dinner into an elaborate special occasion.

There is no single answer to the question of where to eat in Mallorca.

The best restaurant will depend upon the experience you want, your budget, how much time you have and whether you are willing to venture beyond the places you already know. What Mia’s discoveries demonstrate is that Mallorca’s food scene still has plenty of surprises for diners who are prepared to explore.

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