As someone who’s fallen head over heels for Mallorca — not just its stunning coastline and charming towns, but its incredible food — I can tell you this: if you’re coming to the island, come hungry.
Mallorcan cuisine is one of the most underrated gems of the Mediterranean. Rooted in humble, seasonal ingredients and shaped by centuries of cultural influences — from the Moors to mainland Spain — it’s a rich and soulful food culture that’s as much a part of the island’s identity as its beaches and mountains.
Whether you’re sampling a flaky ensaimada with your morning coffee, diving into a slow-cooked tumbet at a family-run restaurant, or enjoying just-caught seafood with a sea breeze on your face, eating in Mallorca is an experience in itself. During my time exploring the island — from hidden mountain villages to lively seaside towns — I’ve had the joy of tasting dishes that locals have been perfecting for generations.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to eat in Mallorca, from the most iconic traditional dishes to the must-try snacks and local specialities. So if you’re wondering where to begin your culinary journey — or simply don’t want to miss the best bites while you’re here — let me share a little taste of what makes Mallorcan cuisine so unforgettable.
As someone who’s explored a lot of what Spain has to offer, I can honestly say that Mallorca’s food scene is in a league of its own. The island’s diverse geography — from its sun-drenched countryside and fertile farmland to its cooler mountain air — creates the perfect setting for growing incredible produce, cultivating vineyards, and even curing meats the traditional way.
What makes Spain’s culinary identity so fascinating is how it shifts from region to region. And while many core traditions are shared across the country, each area brings something unique to the table. Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, has been a melting pot of cultures over thousands of years — Roman, Moorish, Catalan, and beyond — and that’s exactly what makes its cuisine so exciting and distinct. Here, food isn’t just sustenance. It’s history. It’s storytelling. It’s heritage served on a plate.
Known as ‘Mallorquín’ cuisine, the local food here is a perfect blend of Moorish influence, classic Spanish techniques, and Mediterranean simplicity. During my time on the island, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering traditional dishes in tucked-away taverns, rustic bakeries, and even right in my own villa kitchen. If you’re heading to Mallorca and want to taste the real soul of the island, here are some dishes you absolutely have to try.
Whilst there’s much to see and do in Mallorca, the cuisine is not to be missed whilst you’re here. And in such, we at Vida Villas have highlighted some of the best traditional dishes and food in Mallorca for you to sample during your next visit to the island.
Arròs Brut was one of the first traditional Mallorcan dishes I ever tried — and it completely won me over. This rich, comforting rice stew is the definition of rustic soul food. The name translates to “dirty rice” because of its deep, earthy colour, which traditionally came from offal and animal blood. These days, however, many places prepare it with tomato, saffron, and a rich meat broth instead — just as flavourful, and a bit more approachable!
What I love most about Arròs Brut is that it changes with the seasons. One version might be filled with rabbit, mushrooms, and green beans, while another might feature pork ribs or game. It’s a dish born from practicality — farmers once tossed in whatever ingredients they had on hand — and now it’s a beloved staple you’ll find in many local restaurants across Mallorca.
At Vida Villas, we have a range of comfortable villas with spacious kitchens where you can easily cook up a storm amongst family and friends during your time away. Or, should you not wish to cook whilst you’re here, you can hire one of our fantastic private chefs to do this for you!
Frit Mallorquí might not win beauty contests, but what it lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in flavour.
I first tasted this bold, hearty dish at a local festival, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Dating back to the 14th century, it’s a hash of offal (or pork/lamb), potatoes, red peppers, garlic, and a punchy mix of spices like cinnamon, bay leaf, and chilli — all fried in good olive oil.
Its deep roots in Jewish and Arabic cuisine are evident in its fragrant, spiced character, and there are plenty of modern versions that use more familiar cuts of meat. I’ve even had seafood versions, like frit mariner, and a Frit de Pascuamade with lamb during Easter.
Whatever the variation, this dish is pure Mallorcan history — and trust me, it’s worth trying at least once.
Moving on to dessert, and one of the most famous of Mallorca’s varied cuisine, we present to you the Ensaïmada.
Ah, the ensaimada — Mallorca’s most iconic pastry. If you only try one sweet treat during your trip, let it be this.
The first time I bit into one, fresh from a bakery in Palma, I genuinely couldn’t believe how light and flaky it was. It’s been a part of Mallorcan culinary tradition since the 17th century and has earned IGP status (a European label protecting regional foods).
Made from a dough enriched with saim (lard), the spiral-shaped pastry is rolled ultra-thin, spread with fat, and coiled into its signature swirl.
After a long fermentation, it’s baked to golden perfection. You’ll find ensaimadas plain, filled with custard or pumpkin jam, and even topped with icing sugar. Grab one from a local forn (bakery), pair it with a coffee, and you’ll feel like a true local.
The Tumbet, also known as ‘Tombet’, is a traditional food in Spain known for combining cheap and easily sourceable ingredients and quick to prepare.
The Mallorcan dish dates back to the 16th century, and is made typically with peppers, potatoes, tomato, aubergine, olive oil, and garlic which are layered together. This dish truly does the trick when it comes to experiencing the beauty of the simplicity of Mallorcan cuisine.
You’ll find the dish to be plated up at almost all of the local restaurants in Mallorca, in some cases, served alongside meats or fish to accompany this assorted vegetable medley. But, equally, it can be well-enjoyed simply as a vegetarian, or vegan, dish.
Whilst the dish is similar to that of the French’s famed ratatouille, it’s likely that the Spanish created this wholesome culinary masterpiece first, with many of the ingredients, and the preparation method specifically, being more alike to that of Spain’s culinary practices and cuisine.
Tumbet is often consumed as a main, side dish, or even as a tapas, meaning, no matter how hungry you are, there’s always space for trying tumbet during your next visit to Mallorca.
Also known as the Mallorcan version of empanadas, a traditional food in Spain known as a baked or fried pastry filled with meats and vegetables, the panade is Mallorca’s take on this traditional pastry that is equally delicious, if not more!
The panades are formed into cylindrical shapes, with pastry made from lard, and filled traditionally with lamb or sobrasada (a cured pork sausage), onions, and peas. Sometimes, they are also filled with fish and other meats and vegetables. The fish ‘panades’ however are more typical during the period of lent, but you’ll always find that the pastry’s fillings change with the seasons.
The origins of the Panade are somewhat hazy, with no consistent records stating its origins. However, some believe it may have been influenced by Muslims, Christians, or even the Jews.
You’ll find that, during Easter, Panades are a staple on the dinner tables of Mallorcans across the isle. As the dish is traditionally made with lamb, at this time of year residents can make the most of the spring lambs on the island to make a plentiful supply of this savoury treat.
Coca Mallorquina, also known as Coca, is a popular Spanish food that can be found throughout the Catalonia region of Spain bordering the Mediterranean, and on the Balearic islands.
The word ‘Coca’ is derived from the Scandinavian and Germanic word ‘kaka’ translating to ‘cake’. They are seasoned flatbreads, or tarts, that consist of a chewy dough cut into slabs which are typically covered in toppings including vegetables, meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts, and can be found in sweet and savoury variations.
You’ll likely find Coca in the majority of bakeries and cafes across Mallorca, making it the perfect midday snack to indulge in whilst you’re exploring some of the island’s most captivating destinations. Any combination of toppings can be used and, often, you’ll find local Mallorcan bakeries utilising seasonal produce to make their Coca Mallorquina.
Traditionally, Coca was, and still is, made utilising the remnants of dough cut off from preparing bread, and by adding whatever vegetables were to hand to craft this delicious Spanish delicacy.
The sobrassada is a type of cured sausage that is simply salivated over by residents and visitors alike across Mallorca. The sausage is usually made with pork belly or bacon, pork loin or mince, and seasoning, including paprika to give it its distinct flavour and colour.
Whilst Muslim rule left the tradition of creating cured pork sausage all but a distant memory, the Sobrassada survived to the modern day, and incorporated paprika soon after this was brought to the island during the 1700s and 1800s.
You’ll find the sobrassada being incorporated into almost every type of dish in Mallorca. From being a tapas as it is smushed atop crisp sliced bread, to being added into panadas even, it seems that it’s a well-savoured, and sought Spanish delicacy.
You’ll find the sobrassada in markets and delicatessens across the island but also incorporated in many dishes in restaurants and eateries given its popularity. This is why you can’t miss at least savouring this spicy favourite once during your visit to Mallorca.
From spicy cured sausage to rich and flavoursome stews, Mallorca has given birth to a plethora of delectable dishes and mouth-watering eats that will leave you craving another bite long after you’ve left.
Utilising the best of the local ingredients whilst honouring long-standing Spanish traditions, Mallorcan cuisine is unlike anything on our world map and will give you a new lease and perspective of Spanish cuisine during your next visit.
For those who are tempted by the thought of Mallorca’s local cuisine, here at Vida Villas we offer a range of Mallorcan rental properties placing you in a prime position of some of the best destinations to sample some of the island’s most decadent and delicious foods.
You can contact a member of our team to discuss what options we have available for you to find the perfect villa for your wants and needs.
