What types of cuisine can I expect to find in restaurants around Palma’s old town?

The narrow streets of Palma’s old town are lined with restaurants that serve up a broad spectrum of flavours, reflecting the island’s rich culinary traditions alongside Mediterranean influences. Tasting local dishes such as pa amb oli is a must here—thick slices of rustic bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes and drizzled with olive oil, often accompanied by cheese or sobrassada, the island’s spicy cured sausage. For something heartier, tumbet—a vegetable medley layered with potatoes, aubergines, and peppers in tomato sauce—is a classic comfort food found on many menus.

Seafood is naturally prominent given the city’s coastal location. Fresh catches like red mullet or sea bream often star in daily specials, sometimes simply grilled and served with lemon or alongside a crisp Binissalem white wine. The island’s sweet end is well represented too, with ensaimadas, those light spiral pastries dusted in sugar, available at nearly every café. To wash it down, locals often turn to Hierbas, a fragrant herbal liqueur, or Palo, a bitter infusion made from fermented grape must, both of which complement the flavours of traditional dishes beautifully.

Whether dining in a bustling tapas bar near Plaça Major or a quieter spot overlooking the cathedral, the restaurants here offer not just food, but a taste of Palma’s heritage and warm atmosphere—a fine introduction to the culinary heart of Mallorca.