Mallorcan gastronomy is a true culinary treasure that is experiencing a resurgence, after years of international cuisine dominating to satisfy the palates of tourists. Chefs and restaurants are reclaiming their culinary roots, using the island's excellent produce, and showing their love for vegetables, spices, savoury pastries and a wide variety of cured meats.

Typical Mallorcan food reflects the island's spirit of self-sufficiency in times of hardship and celebration in times of plenty. If you are planning to visit the island, here is a list of 10 classic dishes not to be missed.

Discovering the authentic flavours of Mallorca

Mallorca has an impressive culinary richness and variety. While the island's gastronomy may not be as prominent a tourist attraction as in other regions, it really should be, due to the extensive variety of products on offer. The island is divided into six comarcas: Palma, Serra de Tramuntana, Raiguer, Pla de Mallorca, Migjorn and Llevant, and each has its own culinary specialities. The dishes and recipes may vary slightly depending on the area of the island you are in.

One of the most emblematic dishes in Mallorca is arròs brut, a rice dish with an incredible flavour that combines various types of meat. Its main ingredients are chicken, rabbit, pork ribs, peas, green beans, onion, tomato and saffron. In mushroom season, it is also often cooked with "esclatasangs", a variant of the Mallorcan mushroom. In addition, it is common to add chicken liver and sobrasada to give it a special touch. The distinctive flavour of this dish comes from a mixture of spices including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and black pepper.

Another standout dish is tumbet, an ode to vegetarianism with Arabic influences. This dish consists mainly of potatoes, aubergines, courgettes, peppers, onions, garlic and olive oil. Some people also add pine nuts and sultanas. Tumbet can be served as an accompaniment to meat and fish.

Trampó is a classic Mallorcan salad that combines onion, green pepper, tomato, olive oil and salt. Sometimes chickpeas, tuna, beans or octopus are also added to give it a special touch. This salad is perfect for enjoying on the beaches of Mallorca during the summer.

Mallorcan frito is a hearty dish made from the offal of lamb or pork mixed with different vegetables such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, red peppers, peas, garlic, bay leaves and fennel. This dish is believed to have Sephardic and Arabic influences, and has been mentioned in several ancient recipe books. The key to its preparation is to fry the ingredients in oil in batches, starting with the potatoes, then the vegetables and finally the meat. Fennel herbs give it its characteristic flavour.

During special occasions, such as Christmas meals, the "porcella rostida" or roast piglet is a must. For a perfect suckling pig, it is important to marinate it the day before cooking and to cook it in a wood-fired oven for a crispy skin. Each family has its own marinade recipe, handed down from generation to generation.

Finally, 'pa amb oli' is a kind of traditional Mallorcan snack based on bread and olive oil. The main ingredients are brown bread, tomatoes of the local variety called "ramallet", virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt. This dish is usually accompanied by Mahonese cheese, cured ham, sausages, "camaiot" or "sobrasada". It is also commonly served with "fonoll marí" (sea fennel), Mallorcan olives or spicy green peppers.

If you want to enjoy Mallorcan gastronomy at first hand, we recommend you to book at Hotel Boutique Cupido. You will be able to indulge in the authentic flavours of Mallorca and experience the island's culinary diversity in a charming setting. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the gastronomic richness that Mallorca has to offer, book now and let yourself be captivated by the flavours of the island!