Palma de Mallorca is a gastronomic paradise, offering a wide variety of delicious dining options for visitors. The city’s tapas scene is particularly noteworthy, with many bars and restaurants serving up traditional and modern takes on this beloved Spanish dish. The old town, or Ciutat Vella, and the Santa Catalina neighborhood are particularly renowned for their tapas offerings.
One of the best things about the tapas scene in Palma is its accessibility. Whether you’re looking for tapas near you or the oldest tapas bar in Palma, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste. From cozy family-run establishments to trendy modern bars, there’s something for everyone.
Authentic tapas in Palma
As many people may know, tapas are one of the most popular dishes in Spanish cuisine. You can find them in bars, restaurants, and even in places to eat that only offer this kind of meal on their menu.
If you are visiting Mallorca soon, don’t miss this post where we show you the best places to try tapas in Palma along with some interesting facts about them.
You may already know that they are one of the most representative dishes in Spanish culture, and the history of tapas goes way back. There are thousands of stories about the origin of tapas as a meal, and today we are going to talk a little bit about them.
We will review their history to find the most relevant theories on Spanish tapas’ origins. And don’t miss some of the places to try the best tapas in Palma!
The history of Tapas, where do they come from?
The sick king
The oldest story in the history of tapas suggests that this meal was first invented in the XIII century. While recovering from illness, King Alfonso X of Leon, Galicia, and Castile could drink and eat only small amounts of food in every meal.
By accident, the monarch ended up eating small plates that resembled what we know today as tapas. After eating like this, the King came to the conclusion that having something to eat with each drink would help reduce the peasants’ drunken behaviour.
Back then, the farmers were very poor so they preferred spending their money on alcohol rather than on food or groceries, so the king’s idea seemed like an excellent solution to a big problem.
A variation of this theory speaks of the XVI century King Felipe III. Felipe III had the same idea about snacking while drinking alcohol to help reduce inebriation and therefore forced people in taverns to serve snacks with their drinks.
Both stories are considered legends rather than facts. They may have preceded the fashion of eating tapas, even when they weren’t called tapas.
The illiterate patrons
This theory suggests that the innkeepers and their patrons were generally illiterate in or shortly before the XVIII century. The innkeeper would take small samples of the main dish for the diners to taste and serve it with a plate as a lid (tapa in Spanish) from the pot in which it was cooked.
Even though the patrons could have just asked what the main dish was, food testing became an excellent way to sell their dishes in markets, which may have been the reason for the samples.
The sandy wine and the ham
This theory is funny and states that XIX King Alfonso XIII once stopped at a tavern and asked for a glass of wine. The weather was dusty and windy, so when King Alfonso received his wine, it had a piece of ham on top to prevent sand from getting in the glass. The King loved his wine topped with cold meat, and the rest of Spain copied this when ordering drinks with a lid (tapa) at taverns.
Best tapas in Palma
Mallorca offers beaches, resorts, and hidden coves, but it is also a booming gastronomic destination. Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, has a huge number of restaurants offering a wide variety of contemporary and traditional dishes.
Being the nerve centre of the island’s gastronomic life, Palma is a perfect place to try new dishes. This island has a historical tradition of tapas with its legendary variat which is a dish that mixes several types of tapas.
Palma’s tapas bars offer a wide range of traditional favorites such as croquetas, tortilla, and jamón ibérico, as well as more contemporary options like tuna tartar and foie gras terrine. The variety of flavors, ingredients and styles make it a unique experience.
Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a more upscale dining experience, Palma’s tapas bars are sure to impress. The city’s rich culinary heritage, combined with its lively atmosphere and stunning setting, make it a destination not to be missed for food lovers.
In this list, you will find some of the best tapas bars in Palma de Mallorca, all of them with different specialities and atmosphere, but all of them with one thing in common, they all offer delicious and authentic tapas experiences.
Palma best tapas list
Lonja18
Palma de Mallorca’s old town, or Ciutat Vella, is home to a variety of culinary experiences, including our tapas cooking class that focuses on using traditional ingredients to create the best Spanish tapas. Led by experienced local chefs, this class provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of the region and learn the techniques and secrets behind creating authentic Spanish tapas dishes.
Participants in the class will have the opportunity to learn about and work with a variety of traditional ingredients and during the class, you will learn how to create a range of classic tapas dishes commonly found all along the island.
Throughout the class, the chef will provide tips and tricks for perfecting your techniques, as well as recommendations for pairing your tapas with local wines. The class concludes with a sit-down meal where you can enjoy the fruits of your labor with your classmates.
This cooking class is not only a great opportunity to learn about the traditional ingredients and techniques used in Spanish cuisine, but also a chance to experience the lively atmosphere of Palma’s old town, and to have a delicious meal with new friends. This class is a great way to learn about the local culture and to explore the gastronomic scene of Palma de Mallorca.
If you want to experience traditional cooking with the freshest local ingredients, we’ll be more than happy to have you at our table! Do you want to join us?
Bar España
It is a tapas bar hidden in an alley behind the Plaza Mayor of Palma. Enjoy its varied menu of brochettes, tapas, and pintxos with a modern touch. Try some of their delicious wines and craft beers.
It is a very nice central space, with a good atmosphere. It has an authentic Spanish atmosphere and its decor has elements from the famous San Fermin festivity. The place is not very big and is well known, both by locals and by people visiting the island, so it is always very crowded. But worry not, you can book a table in advance.
Forn de Sant Joan
Run by a Mallorcan family, Forn de Sant Joan is undoubtedly one of the most popular restaurants in Palma de Mallorca. There you will find the most traditional tapas but with fun twists, such as oysters with passion fruit and caipirinha, sardines with black pudding, or squid with Japanese dry mayonnaise.
Forn de Sant Joan is known for its creative Mediterranean cuisine, excellent service, and ambience. The interior is elegant, with typical Mallorcan architecture with touches of modern art.
Bodega La Rambla
Bodega la Rambla has been a specialist since 1940 in varied tapas, drinks, and vermouth. It was relocated to its current address in Via Roma, 6, in Palma. This place is a must for residents and tourists who love brochettes and vermouth.
Its menu is full of tradition, meals that bring back memories. This bar is almost 80 years old and it has always taken care of our local ingredients and how to cook them so that they do not lose their essence. Do not leave Mallorca without tasting its variant.
Restaurante Casa Gallega
Casa Gallega is a quiet restaurant located in the heart of the city, with a calm and colourful atmosphere. It has become very famous among the locals, so if you want to visit it, you should book a table in advance.
La Casa Gallega serves authentic Galician delicacies and has become popular for its seafood tapas, Galician octopus, and oysters. Additionally, this restaurant also has a selection of delicious brochettes. If you prefer to eat something more complete, the restaurant offers a menu that also includes wine.
Gaudeix Bodega
A charming little place in the old town of Palma (Calle Bartomeu Pou, 20) with good quality food in a very pleasant place with a small terrace. It offers modern and avant-garde cuisine. Among its most elaborate tapas, you can find the Ferrero of black pudding with apple cream, and the crispy oxtail or shrimp croquettes.
La Bóveda
Located near the old part of the port of Palma, La Bóveda is one of the most fashionable restaurants in the centre of the city. With typical Spanish tapas such as chorizo, gazpacho, pa amb oli, or Iberian ham, you will surely have a good night out in a cosy setting.
The walls of this restaurant are lined with huge shelves filled with a multitude of wine varieties that help to create a very intimate atmosphere. In addition to this, on many nights this restaurant offers small live music concerts to the sound of guitars so you can enjoy your dinner in the purest Spanish atmosphere.
La Pergola
La Pérgola offers you a piece of the city of Bilbao in Joan Miró street of Palma. They offer a great variety of Basque handmade brochettes at affordable prices. Undoubtedly, it has become a meeting place for young people.
People usually visit it to order their irresistible house wine, their great beer, or their unbeatable sangria. However, if you are looking for a quiet place, this is not for you because it is always crowded and noisy.
Local Número 2
Local Número 2 is located in the nearby municipality of Marratxí (Urb Sant Marçal, Carrer Casa del Poble, 3). They offer more than 50 international tapas and brochettes that are adapted to seasonal products. They also offer vegetarian, vegan, traditional, and Mallorcan tapas, such as the homemade tumbet.
It also has more than ten options for vegetarians and vegans such as gourmet sandwiches, salads, and brochettes, also gluten-free. There is no shortage of options to choose from.
You have plenty of options to choose from on your next visit to Palma and taste the authentic tapas in a typical Spanish atmosphere.
Explore these amazing places and discover more about the local culture and cuisine. And if you are left wanting a little bit more, come and meet us for an unforgettable experience where you’ll learn how to prepare Spanish tapas and much more.