Let's be honest, Mallorcan cuisine is not popular in Mallorcan restaurants, unless you're a local and you know the spots where on certain days you get it served freshly made. Most Mallorcan restaurants cater for tourists, that is why there is always a line for Pizza and Ravioli, but less space left for Frit Mallorquin. Even locals prefer to go out to restaurants serving European cuisine, preferably Italian. Spanish locals love pizza and especially its spicy versions. There are more local cafeterias with pastry than the full menu restaurants.
If you want to try the sweet dessert menu, PortoCristo is the cafeteria chain that offers only the best of local Mallorcan cakes and ensaimadas. You'll need to be prepared for a little wait time as their restaurants are so popular with locals and tourists, that they won't agree even for Starbucks replacement. Yes, they are definitely good. You need to try!
Ensaimada (Source: https://www.transfers-mallorca.com/majorcan-cuisine/ensaimada/)
As to the full menu establishments, although there are many lists on the internet describing the 'top 10 Mallorcan cuisine restaurants', many of them will be in Palma, some of them will be a cafeteria, and only a few with full local dishes menu. Not talking about other locations in Mallorca, including S'Illot, where Amena Mar Hotel is located.
For this reason our friend Toni at Cala Moreia restaurant has invited a local chef for Sunday local menu, and now you can try Mallorcan cuisine right in front of Amena Mar Hotel. For which we are very proud of, like for the presence of Messi's hotel in 200 meters from us :) You can even come other day and take a look at what they offer so you can plan your lunch or dinner in advance or order a take away.
Cala Moreia Restaurant (Source: own photos).
As to other locations beside Palma, good news is that many of the most popular ones are located on our side of the island. Bad news - it is always a drive journey. We can boast that the top rated Es Cruce is just outside Manacor and is around 25 minute drive from Amena Mar Hotel.
Es Cruce Restaurant (Source: https://gastronomicament.cat/ca/restaurant/restaurant-es-cruce)
Es Cruce restaurant is located on the roundabout outside Manacor in direction to Palma. The restaurant is always overloaded with cars on its parking lot. And it is not surprising at all as many people come just to taste the original Mallorcan food. They have buffet style service at certain times of day and week (please check their website for updates). During these times, the restaurant is very full even with queue of people waiting outside for over half an hour to be seated. We recommend to come there at other time or at the very beginning of the buffet service.
When you drive further to Palma, there is a beautiful part of the motorway around a village called Montuiri. You will find another popular Mallorcan cuisine restaurant there called S'Hostal. Not only is this restaurant famous for its 'pa amb oli' (bread with olive) which they claim to be the best in the entire universe, but they are also quite affordable in terms of prices. Moreover, a walk around beautiful Montuiri is a nice attachment to your journey.
S'Hostal Restaurant (Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1068062-d5900493-Reviews-S_Hostal-Montuiri_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html)
Santa Margalida also boasts one of the finest restaurants which caters for Mallorcan cuisine. Es Turó is not just a simple restaurant, it is a castle, a beautiful fortress full of hidden spots for great photographs. This location is also very popular for events and weddings. Their menu is local but seasonal, they change it in accordance to the fresher fruit and vegetables that grow in Mallorca in certain times of the year.
Es Turó Restaurant (Source: https://restaurantguru.com/Salqueria-Es-Turo-Can-Picafort)
Most other restaurants are in Palma. But as our aim was to cover the Mallorcan cuisine restaurants close to Amena Mar hotel, let Palma locals do their job in finding the best ones in Palma.
In any case, if you still did not get the chance to try Mallorcan local food, you can still buy ensaimada at the Palma de Mallorca airport and bring it home. As many Mallorcans do when they fly to other destinations which makes this tradition so typically local! :)
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