Sooner or later everybody who comes to Mallorca will ask the same question. Where do you get the best tapas in Palma? What are the most popular tapas? Mallorcan cuisine is fabulous and tapas are a great way to try lots of different dishes. Even more so if you share them with your friends. Because that’s what tapas are all about. Originally, it was a custom to cover (tapar) your drink with a slice of bread to protect it from insects. Over time the covers or tapas, respectively, became more elaborated. Today renowned chefs compete for the most creative recipes. In Palma, there are numerous places for great tapas and pintxos. Some of the best have already been covered by Estilo Palma. But since you keep asking for my personal favorites, here you go.
Don’t delay till last minute to try tapas! Choose a tapas restaurant or bar right now and order this traditional dish!
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Where to Try Best Tapas in Palma
There are lots of tapas restaurants and bars in Palma that serve tapas.
13%Â on noble Carrer San Feliu has been around for many years and is still going strong. The cozy restaurant has a small but carefully chosen menu with a North African touch. Plus a nice selection of wines, both from Mallorca and the peninsula. Their aubergine carpaccio with almonds and truffle oil is just heavenly.Â
Bar España is one of the classic tapas bars in Palma. Hidden close to Plaça Major Bar España is always crowded. And this is part of the unique atmosphere. You can eat at one of the tables but I’d rather go for the bar and enjoy the hustle and bustle.
Café La Lonja is one of Palma’s most traditional tapas places. And what a place! Located right next to one of the city’s most emblematic buildings the café has remained an oasis of calm. Enjoy your tapas on the terrace amidst beautiful Modernisme facades or inside at the fabulous Art Deco bar.Â
Santi Taura’s COR Barra i Taula became a hot spot for foodies right away. Traditional Mallorcan dishes refined to a modern taste and with an unmistakable twist. Located next to Mercat de l’Olivar the ingredients couldn’t be any fresher.
Early in the evening the regular crowd shuffles in for an aperitif at La Rosa. Next to a choice of tapas the menu also includes fish and seafood. With the vintage design the vermuteria is a great place to spend the night with friends.
La Vieja is the go-to place if you love food from the Canary Islands. Chef Jonay Hernandez moved from Tenerife to Mallorca. And his restaurant in Palma became popular among locals and visitors in no time. For the quality of his dishes as well as for its instagramability.
Moltabarra is one of the few neighborhood pubs left in Sa Gerreria, Palma’s former craftsmen quarter. A place with a special atmosphere, full of vintage objects that tell about the history of the barrio. And a long bar where the freshly prepared tapas and pintxos are displayed. Grab a plate, a cold beer or a glass of wine and enjoy the night.
OMBU is situated in the heart of Palma at Plaça de la Reina next to splendid Borne. If you need a break from exhibitions and window shopping, stop right here and relish some of Palma’s finest tapas. Famous for its creative cuisine, OMBU was among the winners at TaPalma twice.
A great addition to Palma’s gastronomic scene is Stagier in Santa Catalina. The menu reads like a best-of tapas. And indeed, chef Joel Baeza gathered experience in 23 renowned, often Michelin starred kitchens as a stagiere (intern). Only to surprise his guests with an exceptional selection of Latin-Mediterranean flavors. Â
It’s only due to the alphabetical order that Vandal is last on the list. When it comes to tapas in Palma chef Bernabé Caravotta has been number one several times. Vandal’s menu is special in several ways, you’ll find out. What I like most is how they marry each dish with a separate drink.
Of course, there are a lot more tapas places in Palma, many of them you find here on Estilo Palma. If you miss your personal favorite, though, please let me know. Because with Estilo Palma it’s like with tapas: Sharing is caring.
Bar España
C/ Can Escursac, 12Â
Café La Lonja
C/ de la Llotja, 2
COR Barra i Taula
C/ dels Caputxins, 4
La Rosa
C/ Rosa, 5
La Vieja
Pl. Raimundo Clar, 11
Moltabarra
C/ del Pes de la Farina, 12
Stagier
C/ Espartero, 11
Vandal
Plaça del Progrés, 15
What Are Tapas
Tapas are Spain’s beloved small plates tradition, featuring bite-sized dishes designed for sharing and socializing. Originally served as complimentary snacks with drinks, tapas have evolved into a culinary art form that showcases regional ingredients and cooking techniques. From simple olives and cheese to elaborate seafood creations, these small portions allow diners to sample multiple flavors in one sitting. Whether you’re enjoying jamón ibérico, patatas bravas, or gambas al ajillo, tapas represent the essence of Spanish dining culture — relaxed, communal, and focused on quality ingredients prepared with care.
Tapas Culture in Mallorca
Mallorca’s tapas culture blends traditional Spanish customs with Mediterranean island flair, creating a unique dining experience that reflects the island’s rich culinary heritage. Mallorcan tapas bars, known locally as tascas, serve fresh seafood alongside classic Spanish favorites, often featuring local specialties like sobrassada (spiced sausage) and tumbet (vegetable casserole). The island’s tapas culture emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients — from just-caught fish to locally grown vegetables and almonds. In Palma’s historic quarter, traditional tapas bars have operated for generations, while modern establishments offer innovative twists on classic recipes, making Mallorca a premier destination for tapas enthusiasts seeking authentic Mediterranean flavors.
Tapas Pairings to Try in Mallorca
Mallorca’s exceptional wine and drink pairings elevate the island’s tapas experience to new heights. Local Mallorcan wines from indigenous grape varieties like Manto Negro and Prensal Blanc complement seafood tapas beautifully, while the island’s craft beer scene offers refreshing accompaniments to heartier dishes. Hierbas de Mallorca, the traditional herbal liqueur, pairs wonderfully with cheese and charcuterie plates. For non-alcoholic options, locally produced olive oils and sea salt enhance simple bread and tomato tapas. The island’s almond-based drinks like horchata de chufa provide perfect contrast to spicy chorizo dishes. Understanding these regional pairings helps visitors experience authentic Mallorcan flavors while supporting local producers and traditional food culture.
Best Types of Tapas in Mallorca
Mallorca’s traditional tapas are integral to the island’s culinary identity and offer a delicious way to sample classic Spanish flavors. When you’re dining in Calvià , Palma, or in a rustic seaside town, these types of food are staples on the menus of family-run bars and stylish eateries alike. So, some of the most popular and classic tapas here on Mallorca.
Patatas Bravas
Crispy local potatoes served with spicy red pepper sauce or creamy garlic alioli—a must-try classic in any Mallorcan tapas bar.
Albóndigas
Tender meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, sometimes accented with local herbs for extra flavor.
Croquetas de Jamón
Golden-fried croquettes bursting with creamy béchamel and chopped Spanish ham—a comforting and addictive snack.
Calamares a la Romana
Fresh squid rings lightly battered and fried to perfection, offering a taste of the Mediterranean with every bite.
Pimientos de Padrón
Small green peppers fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt—most are mild, but occasionally you’ll get a hot one!
Pan con Alioli y Olives
Rustic bread accompanied by Mallorca’s famous homemade garlic mayo and a selection of distinctly local olives.
Gambas al Ajillo
Juicy prawns sautéed with garlic, chili, and parsley, served sizzling in olive oil.
Chorizo al Vino
Spanish chorizo sausage gently cooked in red wine or caramelized onions, packing plenty of flavor into each small bite.
Ensaladilla Rusa
A creamy salad of potatoes, tuna, mayonnaise, vegetables, and sometimes olives—popular year-round in Mallorca.
Tumbet
Mallorca’s signature vegetable casserole: layers of potatoes, aubergines, peppers, and tomato sauce, occasionally served as a seasonal tapas treat.
These timeless dishes are not only delicious but also serve as a social centerpiece for friends and family, sharing vibrant flavors and stories in Mallorca’s warm atmosphere.
