The restaurants worth a reservation in Palma, from neighbourhood bistros to the new classics.
The restaurants worth the trip in Palma. bistros, neo-classics, neighbourhood favourites, and the rooms locals book first.
El Camino is a marble counter on Carrer de Can Brondo in Palma, a wine bar in the Barcelona tapas mould pouring Mallorcan bottles with plates to order.
Signature: Iberian ham, Manchego cheese
Order: Iberian ham and manchego from the counter, with a glass of Mallorcan Callet red.
Tip: Counter stools only, and it books out most nights. Come at 13:00 or accept a wait.
Stagier Bar is a small Santa Catalina room in Palma where a Chilean-Peruvian couple plate Latin-leaning tapas learned in the kitchens that trained them.
Signature: Sourdough with chimichurri butter
Order: Sourdough with chimichurri butter, then whatever the couple are running that week.
Tip: Winter and summer schedules differ, and the kitchen takes a break in early August and again in late April.
Casa Maruka has cooked market-led Mallorcan food in Palma since 2007, run by María José Calabria and Alberto Serrano and carrying a Repsol Sol.
Signature: Suckling pig, Oxtail stew
Order: The suckling pig, or the oxtail stew if the kitchen is running it that day.
Tip: Monday is lunch only. Tuesday to Saturday the kitchen also runs an evening service from 20:00 to 23:30.
Ola del Mar sits on the water at Portixol in Palma, cooking rice dishes and the day's catch from an elegant dining room with a sea-facing terrace.
Signature: Rice dishes, Grilled fish
Order: A rice dish for two, ordered with the fish the counter is showing that day.
Tip: The terrace tables face the harbour and go first. Book them rather than turning up on spec.
Marui Sushi works a Japanese counter on Plaça del Progrés in Palma's Santa Catalina, cutting sushi and sashimi alongside small plated izakaya dishes.
Signature: Sushi, Sashimi
Order: The sashimi selection, cut from whatever the counter has that day.
Tip: Tuesday to Thursday is dinner only. Lunch service runs Friday through Sunday from 13:00.
Sumaq cooks Peruvian food on Carrer de Cotoner in Palma's Santa Catalina, drawing on coastal, Amazonian and Andean cooking with Mallorcan produce.
Signature: Ceviche
Order: Ceviche made with local fish, which is where the Peruvian and Mallorcan sides meet.
Tip: Last dinner booking is 21:30, and 22:30 on Friday and Saturday. Plan a Spanish-late meal accordingly.
Mestís sits beside the Santa Catalina market in Palma, folding Baja California and Mexican cooking into Mallorcan produce in a colourful room.
Signature: Tuna tostadas, Octopus with mole
Order: Tuna tostadas to start, then the octopus with mole.
Tip: Weekends open at 10:00 for brunch. Midweek it is a dinner-only kitchen from 16:00.
La Bodeguilla has poured Spanish regional wine on Carrer de Sant Jaume in Palma since 1986, serving regional plates and a long list without a break.
Signature: Spanish regional plates
Order: A spread of regional plates, ordered against a Mallorcan bottle from the list.
Tip: The kitchen runs 13:00 to 23:00 with no closure, which is rare in central Palma.
La Malvasia is a red-fronted room on Plaça del Mercat in Palma pouring Ca'n Pico Malvasia alongside Mediterranean plates and a long celiac menu.
Signature: Tapas, Fresh fish
Order: A glass of the house Malvasia with whatever fish is on the board that day.
Tip: One of the few central Palma kitchens with a properly worked-out gluten-free menu.
Arume Sushi Bar has worked Carrer de Sant Miquel in Palma for years, with chef Tomeu Martí cutting Japanese plates against Mediterranean produce.
Signature: Sushi
Order: The sushi selection, cut against Mediterranean fish rather than imported stock.
Tip: The kitchen shuts for the whole of August. Check before planning a late-summer dinner.
Celler Sa Premsa has poured from wine barrels near Palma's Mercat de l'Olivar since 1958, serving arròs brut, sopes mallorquines and gató almond cake.
Signature: Arròs brut, Sopes mallorquines
Order: Arròs brut, then gató almond cake with almond ice cream.
Tip: It is the most tourist-facing of Palma's cellers, but the Mallorcan menu is the real thing.
Toque de Queda works a converted bakery on Carrer de Can Cavalleria in Palma, plating charcuterie, coques and small Italian-Mallorcan dishes.
Signature: Coca de queso Taleggio
Order: Coca with Taleggio, escalivada aubergine and walnuts, plus a plate of the Tuscan ham.
Tip: Summer service starts at 18:00 and the kitchen closes at 22:30. Winter adds Thursday to Saturday lunch.
Can Frasquet is an all-day bar and kitchen on Carrer d'Orfila in Palma's old town, running Mediterranean plates and burgers from 11:30 to 23:30.
Signature: Burgers, Tapas
Order: A burger at the bar, or a spread of tapas if you are two or more.
Tip: Straight-through service makes this one of the few old-town kitchens open at 17:00.