Where to Eat and Drink in Palma, Mallorca While Living Your Best Relaxed Life
Palma de Mallorca, the elegant capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands, offer turquoise seas and sun-soaked sands. But for those in search of both indulgence and tranquility, Palma strikes a beautiful balance between restorative beachfront escapes and rich culinary discoveries. On a recent long weekend stay, we found our slice of island heaven at Hotel Nixe Palace in Cala Major, using its seaside luxury as a springboard for a truly delicious journey through the Palma’s thriving food and drink scene.
Day One: Local Flavor and Hidden Bars in Palma, Mallorca
Once we settled in and soaked up the calm of Cala Major, it was time to dive into the city’s culinary character. Palma’s historic center is a tapestry of narrow stone streets, Gothic architecture, and lively plazas. Amid it all are restaurants and bars that cater more to locals than to cruise ship crowds—just the kind of experience we were hoping for.
We kicked off our food adventure at Restaurante Casa Maruka, a cozy and understated spot where authentic Mallorcan cuisine shines. The restaurant buzzed with conversation from local families, adding to its lived-in charm. We ordered generously: cannelloni stuffed with pork shank and foie gras, stewed meatballs with crispy potatoes, and a local Mallorcan wine. Every dish was deeply flavorful, rustic, and clearly made with love.
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After dinner, we made our way to Craft Beer Toutatis, tucked just far enough from the main drag to feel like a find. The bar’s selection of local and international beers offered an earthy contrast to our hearty meal. It’s a small spot with big heart, and a friendly crowd that feels miles from the tourist trail.
We ended the night at Clandestino Cocktail Club, a moody, dimly lit speakeasy where mixologists serve up art in a glass. Our cocktails were inventive and balanced. It was the perfect nightcap in a city that knows how to stay up late in style.
Day Two: Aperitivo Hour and Modern Tapas in Palma
The next morning began just the way we like it: lounging by the hotel pool before slipping down to Cala Major’s beach. The water was impossibly clear and calm, ideal for floating lazily between sips of cold cervesas and light bites from the beach club café.
After soaking in the Mediterranean sun, we returned to the city for an afternoon of aperitivos and inventive Spanish fare. First stop: Spritzstop, a bar on the second floor with large open windows built for sunshine sipping. We went straight for a Hugo spritz, crisp and refreshing against the heat of the day.
Dinner was at La Bodeguilla, one of Palma’s modern temples to tapas. This elegant yet comfortable restaurant puts a contemporary spin on traditional dishes. We shared a slow cooked egg in foie and truffle gravy (huevo escalfado con foie y trufa fresca), three-meat cannelloni gratin with creamed morels (canelón de tres carnes gratinado con colmenillas a la crema), and paella with scallop, red shrimp and squid (arroz del ‘‘Senyoret’’ con vieira, gamba roja y calamar).
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Every bite was thoughtful and deeply satisfying, a showcase of the inventive spirit of Spanish cuisine that still celebrates its roots.
Our final stop was Lorien, a pub-like craft beer bar that felt like a portal into Palma’s alternative scene. Their rotating taps featured a variety of local brews.
Day Three: Seaside Charm in Port de Sóller and a Final Food Adventure in Palma
We set out on day three to explore beyond Palma. Though renting a car wasn’t necessary for most of the trip, we decided it was worth the flexibility to venture toward the island’s western coast. The drive to Port de Sóller was a highlight in itself: winding roads through dramatic hillsides, with vistas of olive groves and mountain peaks around every turn.
Port de Sóller sits in a natural bay framed by green hills and stone cliffs. The town wraps around the harbor in a gentle arc, with a boardwalk lined with restaurants, cafés, and boutique shops. We watched the old-fashioned tram clatter along the waterfront, its wooden cars a charming reminder of the town’s slower pace.
We stopped for brunch at Georges, a breezy beachside café with stunning views of the harbor. Their pan con tomate with Serrano jamón was exceptional: rustic bread rubbed with ripe tomato, sea salt, and olive oil, topped with salty, savory ham. Paired with a double espresso and a bloody mary, it was the kind of simple meal that lingers in your memory long after you leave.
The calm of Sóller was a beautiful contrast to the buzz of Palma, and we were glad to have made the journey.
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Palma Delivers Delicious
Back in Palma for our final afternoon, we set out for one more culinary crawl. Our first stop, Lenox The Pub, didn’t quite hit the mark—the beer was forgettable and the ambiance was a bit too generic. But we quickly recovered at Café la Lonja, a lovely spot near the marina that offered one of the best Irish coffees we’ve ever had. The bartender’s attention to detail—whipping the cream just right, balancing the whiskey and espresso—turned a simple drink into a luxurious treat.
For our last toast to Palma’s beer scene, we headed to La Velo Brewery, a small, cyclist-themed craft beer bar that was both charming and innovative. Each pour had personality, but the hazy IPAs were the standout.
We finished the evening with dinner at Stagier Bar, a modern tapas restaurant that was all about creativity and precision. Highlights included smoked steak tartar, avocado cannelloni with lobster, and a chicken stew cannelloni with foie gras and truffle that was equal parts art and comfort food. It was a fitting finale to a weekend of unforgettable meals.
Resting Easy at Hotel Nixe Palace
Perched above the pale golden sands of Cala Major, Hotel Nixe Palace is the type of place where you exhale as soon as you arrive. This five-star resort offers direct beach access, a peaceful poolside terrace, a full-service spa, and a selection of on-site bars and restaurants. Our room opened up to a sea-view balcony, where we spent slow mornings sipping espresso and quiet evenings watching the moon light up the Mediterranean.
Though only a short cab ride from central Palma, the hotel sits conveniently along the #4 bus line. The bus provided easy, quick access into the heart of the city. This meant we didn’t need a car to explore Palma’s vibrant streets, though we chose to rent one for a day trip to the western side of the island.
Nixe Palace offered a blissfully low-key base: beach strolls by day, local wine by night, and service that struck the perfect note of polished and personal.
Final Thoughts: A Satisfying Escape
Palma de Mallorca proved to be more than just a beach destination—it’s a place where gastronomy and laid-back luxury coexist. The city’s food scene punches well above its weight, especially for a short stay. If you take anything away from this guide make note that cannelloni’s are the name of the game when dining out in Palma de Mallorca : ). Whether you’re savoring rustic stews at a neighborhood favorite, sipping creative cocktails in a dimly lit lounge, or discovering a brewery pouring hoppy perfection, Palma serves up a culinary experience as rich as its Mediterranean sunsets.
Combined with restful mornings on our sea-facing balcony at Hotel Nixe Palace, easy access to culture and coastline, and the charm of nearby Port de Sóller, our trip struck the perfect balance. For travelers in search of a weekend filled with both flavor and peace, Palma de Mallorca delivers—deliciously.
