Top tips to avoid tourist traps and discover culinary gems
Have you ever sat in a restaurant and thought, “This is just a tourist trap”? The food arrives suspiciously fast, the service lacks enthusiasm, and the hygiene leaves much to be desired. Here’s how to avoid these pitfalls and find the best restaurant in Mallorca.
Book accommodation in your favorite town in Mallorca and embark on a culinary adventure, exploring Mallorca’s delightful offerings of wine, food, coffee, and pastries.
Please take a moment to watch the brief presentation in the video below:
Finding the best restaurant in Mallorca from home
Today, you can explore dining options from home. Websites like TripAdvisor offer reviews and experiences from other visitors. Our Facebook group, “Restaurants and Bars on Mallorca,” is also a great place to ask for recommendations.Â
It’s wise to scout the area a day or two in advance. Making a hasty decision on an empty stomach is never enjoyable.
But what if you arrive unprepared, or the highly recommended restaurant is closed or overbooked? Here’s what to look for:
Outside the restaurant
Common sense is your best ally. Some people avoid places with large food posters on the facade, while others appreciate knowing what to expect. If a restaurant employs someone to lure customers in, it often raises suspicion. Plastic furniture can also be a red flag for many.
Is the restaurant busy or nearly empty? An empty restaurant might be new or undiscovered, but generally, a well-established good restaurant will be bustling during peak times. Check if the patrons are locals or mostly tourists; if locals frequent the place, it’s usually a good sign.
A scenic view is lovely, but sometimes restaurants in less picturesque locations put more effort into their cuisine to attract guests.
The welcome
Acknowledge your arrival with a friendly greeting. Even if the place is busy, staff should at least recognize you and apologize for any wait. If you can’t see the menu before deciding, be wary. It’s okay to scrutinize the menu and ambiance before committing.
Good service is crucial. If you’re ignored upon entry, consider it a warning sign.
More about Finding the best restaurant in Mallorca after the Video section
Video from Port de Sóller
The other tables
Examine the table settings—are they neat and inviting? Are the other guests enjoying their meals, or merely picking at their food? Observe the dishes being served; do they look appealing? Are portions adequate, and is the food served hot?
Pay attention to the staff’s demeanor. Are they happy and attentive, or stressed and irritable? Good interaction between waitstaff and guests is a positive indicator.
Do guests linger after their meals, enjoying coffee or drinks? Or do they rush to leave, leaving plates half-eaten?
The hygiene
Check the overall cleanliness, especially the toilets, as they can reflect the establishment’s general hygiene standards. While a place might have a worn or modest interior, hygiene should never be compromised.
Inspect your tableware. If it’s dirty, ask for replacements. But if everything seems off—service, cleanliness, etc.—it might be best to leave.
The menu card
Price isn’t everything. Look for a focused menu with a clear style, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, seafood, tapas, or steaks. If a Mediterranean restaurant also serves a wide array of Asian dishes, quality might suffer.
The wine list can reveal a lot. A well-curated list suggests an ability to pair wine and food effectively. If the selection is limited and the descriptions are generic, consider opting for a simple drink.
The beverages
Long waits for drinks, especially in a quiet restaurant, can be a bad sign. Enjoying a drink before your meal should be a relaxing part of the experience.
The good restaurant in Mallorca
Even if things don’t go as planned, the experience can still be memorable.
For instance, on New Year’s Eve in Palma, we had a reservation at a restaurant with a promising menu. Some guests were unhappy when they learned they had to choose between dishes, rather than receiving all six courses.
The restaurant responded by serving two starters, two main courses, and two desserts per person. It turned out to be a festive evening, and we’ve returned several times since. For us, that’s the hallmark of a good restaurant in Mallorca.
Remember to explore our travel guides to Mallorca’s captivating destinations, from the vibrant city life in stunning Palma to the sun-soaked shores of Alcudia and Puerto de Pollença. Don’t miss the charming mountain villages of Sóller and Deià , where nature and tradition blend harmoniously.
Top image for Finding the best restaurant in Mallorca: Photo © Nemesio Jiménez Jiménez | Dreamstime.com
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