Travelling opens your mind to the world. It gets us out of our comfort zone by exposing us to things we don’t see in our daily lives, and expanding our perspectives, beliefs, and opinions. Seeing new places — whether it’s in your own city or across the world — broadens our worldview. Even our taste buds get to travel the world, trying new things just as we are.
As globetrotters, Schön! invites you to explore the unexpected flavours, textures, delicacies and more throughout the globe by exploring our tasting the world guide. In the fifth edition, explore the restaurants from the mountains to the sea.
High above Soller, in the Serra Tramuntana, is the picturesque village of Fornalutx, where this early morning pit stop resides. The menu is limited but they get their croissants and pastries from the local French bakery. Don’t be looking for eggs… but do try their delicious pa amb oli (bread and olive oil open faced sandwiches) coffee, fresh orange juice while discussing where to go to lunch.
Schön!’s Tip = Delicious croissants and cinnamon rolls. Wander around this beautiful village.
Address: Carrer de sa Plaça, 1, 07109 Fornalutx, Illes Balears
Phone: +34 685 65 02 96
C’an Tomeu can be approached from two directions taking you up through the Tramuntana mountains, from the Alaro side or from Bunyola, which both arrive at a little village called The Orient, that overlooks a spectacular high mountain farming valley.
This is pure Mallorquin and it’s open early as a cafe since it attracts a lot of cyclists, who stop to hydrate. Once the kitchen opens, it transforms into a busy little restaurant with traditional island delights, especially mountain delicacies such as the slow cooked goat and lamb. They offer a “Menu del Día” which is a big attraction for the cyclists and is very reasonably priced.
One really comes up here to enjoy the drive and sit down for a long lunch, as they don’t close till 6.30 pm, and it’s very easy to idle away the day. The wine list is limited but the food and service are extremely good.
Schön!’s Tip = Best Mallorquin Snails on the island and best Cardinal de Llosetta dessert. If you want to drink more expensive wine then you should bring it yourself and pay the corkage.
Address: Ctra. Orient-Alaró, 1, 07349 Orient, Illes Balears
Phone: +34 971 18 02 41
Ses Coves is a wonderful destination restaurant set in the beautiful countryside slightly north of Inca and nestled in the hills with stunning views and natural caves behind the restaurant, that are a big attraction.
The young Chef Josep Joan, has created a culinary oasis that is sublimely peaceful and well executed at the same time. The menu is from land to sea, and the seafood is on display as you walk in and the beef is presented to you at your table. Open fire cooking is predominantly the name of the game here.The starters are interesting, giving you options to partake of a few small individual bites or larger dishes to share.
The wine list is well put together with Mallorquin, Spanish and a small selection of wine from beyond the peninsula. The service is impeccable allowing one to control the tempo of how and when the dishes come out, so you can savour the beauty of your surroundings.
Schön!’s Tip = Make reservations in the romantic courtyard.
Address: Coves de, Camí de Ses Coves, s/n, 07310 Campanet, Balearic Islands
Phone: +34 610 07 93 63
On the tip of the northeast coast of Mallorca, in the small community of Betlem, there is the glorious restaurant called Franck Plana Es Calo, that is worth the trip from any part of the island and a must if staying in the vicinity.
Chef Franck masterfully puts out a fundamentally French menu with subtle twists that are pulled from influences garnered from many years of cooking in the some the best restaurants in Europe. His wife Pilar runs the front of house impeccably but still allows for a relaxed dining experience.
Everything is meticulously sourced and this reflects in the seasonal cuisine. The menu changes with the availability of specific products and produce. The small wine list is interesting and compliments this standard of dining, which you would not normally find in this locale.
Schön!’s Tip = Make Reservations and if you want fish double check on availability as it runs out fast .
Address: Av. del Romaní, 56, 1-B, 07579 Betlem, Balearic Islands
Phone: +34 651 97 69 99
Perched on a hillside that offers the most stunning view of The Port of Soller, resides Neni Mallorca. The ambience and décor are a mezze from throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region stretching as far as Morocco. The menu, likewise, pulls influences from Israel and the surrounding culinary cultures. All the dishes, not only the mezze should be ordered to share as this is all part of the experience. The wine list is good and diverse, the service is attentive and knowledgeable. It has a great vibe, and the location cannot be beat.
Schön!’s Tip = The Donkey Bar is adjacent for pre or post dinner cocktails. It is essential to make reservations.
Address: Carrer de Migjorn, 2, 07108 Port de Sóller, Illes Balears
Phone: 971 63 83 70
Situated in an industrial complex, on the outskirts of Palma, one will find Catavinos, which is nothing to look at from the outside but all changes when you enter. They undoubtedly have the best selection of wines and spirits under one roof on the island and this is where to go and stock up for your libations. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
Schön!’s Tip = This should be your first “port of call” when shopping.
Address: Polígono Can Valero, Carrer Poima, 6, 07011 Palma, Balearic Islands
Phone: +34 971 76 05 85
View previous editions of Tasting the World.
words. Karina and William Annesley
photography. Karina Annesley
