“life is too short to eat anything less than delicious.”
Spain is famous for its food, and it all starts right here at the food markets. Great produce makes great food. Right? Right.
Fortunately for you Palma has some great food markets to visit, this is where the magic of Mallorcan cuisine all starts.
I just love visiting these food markets, if you’re not inspired to cook that day when you go, then you sure are when you leave.
You can help but be inspired amidst all the brilliant produce on display. It’s a sensual tsunami of sound, aromas and bright, brilliant colours.
You’re swimming in the Mediterranean, it’s all around you and it feels great.
What’s in the Article
On your food market visit keep an eye out for the delicacies only found in Mallorca. Try the emblematic Ensaimada or Coca de Patata with your morning coffee.
Brunch on Tumbet or Sopes Mallorquines. You wont be sorry you did,.Yummy.
A lot more on Mallorquin foods to savour later in my article, first lets take a look at some food markets………
Bodega Ribas
Mercat de l’Olivar
The really vibrant Olivar Market is the biggest of the indoor food market in Palma. Just walk up the famous shopping street San Miguel from Plaza Major and you’ll easily find it.
If you’re looking for the essence of Mallorcan life and cuisine then you’re in for a treat.
As soon as you enter you’ll feel the buzz. The colors, sights, sounds, and scents hit you straight away.
Bustling aisles full of stalls literally overflowing with varieties of plump tomatoes, fragrant herbs, glistening olives and artisan cheeses. Just colors galore. Wow!!
You’ll pass by vibrant stalls displaying all kinds of citrus fruits, red peppers and hanging Mallorquin ramallet tomatoes.
Walking around you’ll be hit by the heady aroma of spices, mingling with the salty tang of cured meats, sobrasada sausages and olives in brine. If you’re early enough the scent of freshly baking bread too.
There’s a large fishmongers section in the market selling many locally caught seafood delicacies. Anything from a sardine or shrimp to sea bass and tuna fish steaks.
Plenty of shellfish here too, there is even a champagne and oyster bar to sample them with a glass of bubbly!!
You’re definitely going to need some refreshments on your market tour. Don’t worry the ’Olivar Market has got you covered. There are plenty of cafes and wine bars where you can sit down and enjoy some local tapas snacks or something larger too. Fancy a sushi? Well there’s a great Sushi bar in the fish section. You can hardly get fresher fish in your Nigiri .
There’s a feeling of warmth, passion and hospitality in the market, Ask, and the vendors are eager to share their knowledge and passion for their produce. If you are a Spanish speaker you’ll hear the locals exchange recipes and cooking tips.
Spend an hour or two here and you’ll glad you didn’t miss out on this experience on your travel itinerary.
Macia Batle
Mercat de Santa Catalina
The Santa Catalina Market is the pulse of the Santa Catalina area of Palma. Unlike its more bustling market cousins, this market is a more laid back experience.
In the last 15 years or so Santa Catalina has experienced a real renaissance, it’s now a trendy barrio during the day and has a pulsing night life after dark.
After a fairly big renovation years ago the Mercat de Santa Catalina is now more of a gourmet market mixed in with traditional stalls selling great farm produce.
You’ll find an excellent and varied selection of stalls selling local produce there are plenty of specialists vendors selling things like fine wines, organic foods and meats, flowers and artisan handicrafts.
Mercat de Santa Catalina is really is more of a gourmet market mixed in with traditional stalls selling great farm produce.
There are a number of great charcuteries to selling cured meats, hams and the famous Mallorca Sobrasada blood sausage in the market.
Not into meat? No problem. There are plenty of fruits, vegetables, dried seeds, pulses and delicious artisan cheese to be found in the market.
There are organic options available all over the market too. If you’re looking for dried products then A Granel has you covered.
It’s not a huge market but there’s still a lot to see and enjoy both inside and outside. There plenty of boutique style shops to browse in the adjacent streets.
The highlight of any visit to this market are the cafe bars inside selling local dishes and tapas.
My particular favourite is Bar Joan Frau a family run bar the serves the most authentic and delicious Mallorquin food I’ve ever tasted outside of Mallorcan friends homes. The Frau family prepares a cornucopia of traditional recipes fresh every day.
Perhaps the most enchanting about the market is the definite sense of community after all it’s right in the center of it.
lIf you love of good food, good company, and the simple slow living pleasures of life visit to Santa Catalina is a must.
Bodegas Jose L Ferrer
Mercat Pere Garau
Established in 1931 in Binissalem, Bodegas Jose L Ferrer is a leading producer of Binissalem Mallorca DO wines.
Tour visitors to Bodegas Jose L Ferrer are greeted with a lovely inviting ambiance and quite stunning surroundings. These are great tours taking visitors on a fascinating journey through the winemaking process, literally from vine to bottle.
The vineyard also has a charming café where visitors can enjoy a glass of wine perhaps paired with a local snack delicacy.
Jose L Ferrer is a large wine producer with 60 hectares (148 acres) of vineyards cultivating native grapes like MantoNegro and Moll..
An long ageing process in oak casks creates rich and complex flavors. The vineyard produces an estimated 500,000 bottles annually.
Visitors can discover their wines and vineyards at Carrer del Conquistador, 103 07350 Binissalem Illes Balears
Foods to try on your Market Visit
So you’re in Mallorca and you’re visiting a Palma market don’t just enjoy the ambience dig in and taste a little local cuisine. It’s great.
Here’s some dishes and pastries you wont find anywhere else in the world. Keep an eye out for them and sample a few.
YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON