There is a storm a brewin’!
No worries, we caught shelter at a closed chiringuito and the sun came out again in 30 minutes – as it always does in Mallorca.
Tag: mallorca
Dia de las Islas Baleares
March First – Balearic Day. WHOOOP! The Balearic islands are so gorgeous -Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Have you been to all of them?
Here is one of my favorite beaches in Mallorca. I call it the Secret Beach because it can be a bit tricky to find if you don’t know about it. But it’s true name is Caló des Moro.
Man, am I ready for summer. See you at the Secret Beach!
Blossoms
It’s that time of the year again in Mallorca.
The almond trees are blossoming and all over the island are beautiful, white, bright pink and light pink flowers. When you drive around all you see are fields and fields of almond trees with stark white flowers filling up the the whole space. So gorgeous.
And they smell heavenly. Ahhhhhh, now cue the allergies.
Top 5 Restaurants in Palma
There are so many restaurants to choose from in Palma. And so many good ones too! Over the years I have been to quite a few. Here are my top five that I feel are best overall – in food, price and atmosphere. Still looking for that great Mexican restaurant here!
What are your favorites in Palma? Please share in the comments!
These first two are in the Santa Catalina area. LOTS of bars, LOTS of restaurants and usually a lot of fun.
NOLA – This place just feels like home to me. They have Brooklyn Lager on tap and some darn good cajun cookin’. Whenever I am missing my good ole U.S. of A, I head on over to NOLA and eat some fried pickles and a big plate of BBQ ribs. So tasty, great flavor. And on most Wednesdays it’s RIB NIGHT – all you can eat ribs for 15euro per person.
Also great is the Jambalaya and Gumbo. Actually, it’s all delish. GO!
NOLA C/San Magí, 13 +34 971.667.006
ROTANA – Just up the street from Nola is Rotana. If you are craving some yummy Lebanese food, this is your place. I like to get the assorted starter to share with my peeps – hummus, falafel, stuffed grape leaves and more. Then my favorite lamb dish as a main course and I am FULL! They also have a few tasting menus to try. The mint tea is a perfect end to your dinner. Or they have hookahs that you can smoke from! Not sure if you have to bring your own tobacco.
You can sit inside or outside (if the weather is nice). But careful, on some nights they have belly dancing inside and the music can be a bit loud.
ROTANA C/ San Magí, 58 +34 971.286.078
The next two are in the Old Town of Palma – My favorite area is the Old Town (La Antigua Lonja), full of narrow alleys, historic monuments and inspiring architecture. In just a square kilometer there are quirky cafes, funky shops, art galleries and of course lots of restaurants.
LA BOVEDA – Tapas, tapas and more so very delicious TAPAS! The classics – prawns and garlic in oil, Iberian ham, pa amb oli, plates of tempting cheese and sausages. I recommend their plate – Estrella de la casa, which has a little bit of everything. If you’re lucky, you might get the occasional guitarist. Go early because it gets full quickly. But if that happens you can always go over to their sister restaurant around the corner – La Taberna de la Boveda
La Boveda C/ Botería, 3 +34 971.714.863
FORN DE SANT JOAN – This one you definitely need a reservation for if you want to eat here. They do have online reservations, which is nice. And it is a bit on the pricier side than the others but worth it. Full on menu with lots of tapas style appetizers to start with – my personal favorite is one of the oysters, the grilled octopus and the king crab. Then there is a grande selection of things to tempt your palate with pastas, fish and meat. Oh and the desserts! The cocktails are excellent, the service is superb and it is one of my top favs on the island.
And if you want, you can go across the street to the over-the-top bar cocktails at Abaco Cocktail Bar. It’s pricey, but quite the experience.
Forn De Sant Joan C/ Sant Joan,4 +34 971.728.422
And my last one is in the Genova area of Palma. If you don’t have a car, you will need to get a taxi to get here, but it’s not too far out of Palma.
CASA JACINTO – This is your typical Mallorquin/Spanish restaurant that focuses on the popular tapas, fish and meat. Not much decor to talk about but it’s more of a place with good food, good prices, nice waitstaff and to get in with the locals and away from main stream of Palma. Order some dates with bacon or the pimientos de padron for a starter and my favorite is cooking your own steak on the hot stone they bring to your table. The house wine is pretty good too.
Casa Jacinto Cami de Tranvia, 37 +34 971.401.858
BUEN PROVECHO!
Hammam Palma
Ahhhhh….. still thinking about my lovely time at Hammam Palma yesterday. A massage was definitely in order and it was a darn good one! Even got my face and scalp massaged. Have you ever been to a hammam, or Turkish bath? My first experience with one was a few years ago in Marrakech where I did the whole experience – steam, warm water sloshed over me with a bucket and then the fun begins; you are lathered up with black soap and then the attendant dons a loofah glove and vigorously exfoliates you from head to toe. Your body won’t know what hit it. And then off to a massage with oils. Heaven.
Yesterday was my first time at Hammam Palma. I had been searching for places for Felix and me to get massages. And it is seriously insane out there – either the place has closed for the winter season, closed on the weekends (what?!) or booked for months in advance. It was truly frustrating. Imagine my total glee when my email that was sent the night before was answered when I checked emails in the morning. And their answer was YES! All I had to answer was how long massage we wanted, our names and a phone number and we were booked. No calling and waiting, no giving a credit card. Thank you!
We arrived at 15:00 and were given towels and swim footwear to be worn inside the hammam. They want you to relax and experience the thermal bath and sauna for about an hour before your massage. They offer 15, 30 and 60 minute massages. They also offer the whole experience – black soap, exfoliation and massage if you wanted to be completely pampered. But just remember with the thermal spa you need to add an hour to whatever experience you choose. We scheduled an hour massage and were there two and a half hours.
It was so needed to take away stress and have a place that makes it easy and comfortable to do. I will be back very soon! Maybe I will do the complete experience next time. Stay tuned!
Hammam Palma ~ Calle Costa i Llobera 20, Palma de Mallorca 971.412.860
All Saints’ Day
Happy All Saints’ Day! I love me some cemeteries … especially Spanish ones.
Mallorca Supermoon
So beautiful. It was even better in person. Come join me next time!
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaanges
Helllloooo my lovely readers! I know I have taken a really long siesta – some personal things going in with life and I needed a break. But guess what, I’m back. AND I am going to be making some changes to the blog, defo for the better.
So keep your hat on, keep reading (and THANK YOU! for still reading and checking in during my extended absence). Changes coming up soon. But for now I leave with another gorgeous picture of this beautiful island that I live on, MALLORCA – Sunset at Club Nautico Sa Rapita.
GOING NINETY MILES 