Page Text: Find a bite in Palma, Spain
Find a bite in Palma, Spain
by George Black
1. Paella is a staple
2. Cuttlefish is a fresh idea
3. Mixed grill is a bit of diversity
4. Nachos are down-to-earth
6. Octopus is a tentacled wonder
7. Menudo is traditional
8. Taters are true grit
9. Croquettes are thicker than most
10. Croissants are just here to put a ribbon on it
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Officially known as Palma de Mallorca, the city of Palma is the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. Founded as a Roman camp upon the remains of a Talaiotic settlement, the city lived through the development of modern civilization and the modernization of the 21st century. Since the advent of mass tourism in the 1950s, the city has been transformed into a tourist destination and has attracted many workers from mainland Spain. It is also a seaport located in the southwest of Mallorca. All in all, Palma is a place of importance and people recognize it. Food is very important here.
1. Paella is a staple
Paella
Paella is a national dish of Spanish cuisine, its homeland is the city of Valencia. In Spain, there are about three hundred varieties of paella. In each Spanish province, paella is cooked in its own way: with meat, fish, seafood. There is also a vegetarian paella. But the main ingredients remain unchanged: it is saffron-flavored rice, tomatoes, and olive oil.
#12 of 589 restaurants in Can Pastilla #105 of 3853 restaurants in Palma
Mediterranean, Spanish
Carretera de l'Arenal, 5, Can Pastilla, Balearic Islands, Spain
Open now $$$$
While others say "easy as pie", others can say "easy as paella". This rice dish, that is originally from Valencia, is commonly viewed by non-Spaniards as Spain's national dish, and for a good reason. Paella is as common and as simple to make in the Spanish-speaking world as bread and butter. The classic recipe comprises rice, green beans, rabbit, chicken, sometimes duck and butter beans cooked in olive oil and chicken broth. Traditionally, the yellow color comes from saffron, but turmeric and calendula can be used as substitutes.
For good paella, try Bar Restaurant Carrion II.
2. Cuttlefish is a fresh idea
Carrer de Can Brondo, 6, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
Closed now $$$$
Fish is a naturally popular kind of food in the city that is basically an island in itself. The region offers many possibilities for enjoying tasty seafood and fish goodies. One of the lesser-known yet not less beloved offerings is the locally prepared cuttlefish. Fried, roasted, grilled, and even put into burgers - cuttlefish is as common in local restaurants and on local kitchens as pasta in Italy. The most important thing is to get used to its taste that may feel a little uncanny to someone not used to it.
La Botana has cuttlefish in spades, including burgers that are highly praised.
3. Mixed grill is a bit of diversity
Mixed grill
Mixed grill is a traditional Colombian dish. It's a plate filled with grilled beef, pork, chicken, sausage, chorizo, cheese, plantains, cassava, tomatoes and potatoes, among other ingredients.
#61 of 3853 restaurants in Palma
Mediterranean, Spanish, Seafood
Carrer Federico García Lorca, 4, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
ClosedOpens at 12:30PM $$$$
Fish is not the only thing enjoyed by the people of Palma and the many tourists coming here every year. Grilled meat is the natural type of food for Spain, with lots of sauces, spices, and other additions providing for a diverse mixture of flavours and aromas. But going even further, there's mixed grill offerings combining different types of meat prepared in special order, sometimes even on special grills. Churrasco is the most common type of mixed grill, but other variations with different distinctive elements also exist. Even mixed meat and fish grill types are available.
Ca'n Manolo Palma offers a great mixed grill.
4. Nachos are down-to-earth
Carrer de Sant Magí, 43, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
Closed now $$$$
It's rather ironic, if you think about it, that one of the more popular dishes in a Spanish city is actually of Tex-Mex origin. Nachos consist of fried tortilla chips or totopos covered with melted cheese or cheese sauce, as well as a variety of other toppings. At its most basic form, nachos may consist of merely chips covered with cheese, and served as an appetizer or snack, while other versions are substantial enough as a main course. Nachos vary from the modern style served in restaurants to the street snacks with easier recipes.
Your Mexican food needs will be covered perfectly at 7 MACHOS.
5. Chorizo is inevitable
Chorizo
Сhorizo is a cured spiced sausage made from chopped pork and red pepper. The dish is extremely popular in both Mexican and Spanish cooking.
#8 of 437 BBQs in Palma
Spanish, Barbecue
Calle Miracle 8, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain, 07002
Open now $$$$
Another strong tie that binds Spain and the larger Spanish-speaking world is the kind of sausage that has become more and more popular over the years. Chorizo is a fermented, cured, smoked sausage which may be sliced and eaten without cooking, or added as an ingredient to add flavour to other dishes. Lots of recipes require or outright demand the use of chorizo, especially in Spanish restaurants, so it's very easy to find the dish in Palma. The trick is to eat it in the best combination.
La Cuadra del Maño has great chorizo.
6. Octopus is a tentacled wonder
Octopus
A part of numerous Mediterranean dishes, octopus is a delicious meal with tender and buttery flavor that melts in the mouth. Octopus can be enjoyed grilled, with pasta, in a stew or a salad.
#7 of 3853 restaurants in Palma
Mediterranean, Spanish
Carrer de Sant Magí, 84, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
ClosedOpens at 1PM $$$$
Moving away from the traditional and common types of food, even the less obvious ones, we should remember the seaside rendezvous of Europe with non-traditional seafood. Octopus is a common type of food in Asian countries, especially Japan, but Europeans find the taste unusual, and very few chefs can actually properly prepare octopus. Contrary to the common belief, it is not eaten raw or alive in most cases. The peculiarities of cooking octopus are for the eaters to discover.
Great octopus can be found at FABRICK food & more.
7. Menudo is traditional
Menudo
Menudo is a spicy tomato-based Mexican soup made with pork meat, vegetables, garbanzo beans and green. It is served with chopped onion, celery and a dash of oregano.
#26 of 3853 restaurants in Palma
Spanish, Mediterranean
Plaça del Progrés, 15, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
ClosedOpens at 7:30PM $$$$
Yet another offering on our list with Mexican undertones is a traditional soup that Spanyards enjoy. Classic menudo is made with cow's stomach in broth with a red chili pepper base. One of the names for the soup literally called it "stomach sauce". It's a very slow-cooked dish and is usually served for family gatherings or special occasions, meaning it's a great candidate for restaurants. Adding a bit of personal flavour with spices, herbs, and other additions is an option.
Vandal Palma is a decent choice for menudo.
8. Taters are true grit
Taters
This is another variation of fried potatoes and it is served with a variety of flavors such as pepper or bacon. They can be fried in a pan or deep-fried.
#129 of 3853 restaurants in Palma
American
8 Rubén Darío, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
ClosedOpens at 1PM $$$$
Potatoes are often dismissed as basic gritty food that's overshadowed by the more complex, exotic, and local offerings that look and feel very special. However, potato-based dishes can also be special. Taters , for example, are grated potatoes formed into small cylinders and deep-fried. They are basically fries with a twist in that they can be served pre-heated, stored as frozen foods, and combined with meats, spices, and sauces to create a unique combination.
One of the places with good taters would be Buco Burger.
9. Croquettes are thicker than most
Croquettes
Croquettes, especially stuffed with jamon, are often served at tapas bars. The dough is mainly made with stuffing (jamon, ham, seafood) and with the béchamel sauce.