In the Fog of Good: Boira at Nou Baleares Brings New Lunchtime Life to Plaza de las Columnas

In the Fog of Good: Boira at Nou Baleares Brings New Lunchtime Life to Plaza de las Columnas

When the Nurredduna wakes up in the morning, you first hear the voices of market vendors, the clatter of crates and somewhere the scent of freshly roasted coffee. Just a stone's throw from this pulse, an almost hundred-year-old building has reopened: the Hotel Nou Baleares with its restaurant Boira. "Boira" means "fog" in Mallorcan — a name that here suggests cosy atmosphere rather than mysterious distance.

The building dates back to 1927 and was completely overhauled after the pandemic. Behind the historic façades the Treguer Hoteles group runs the house; the owners are Rafael Balaguer Mestre and Jaume Alomar Garau. Those familiar with the area will recognize a pattern in the chain: well-located boutique hotels that deliberately remain in urban neighborhoods. Examples include the Llaut Palace on Playa de Palma, Son Penya with a spa, L’Avenida in Sóller and the Hotel Cort in central Palma. This local focus is explored in Palma's Quiet Favorites: Where Neighborhood Still Comes to the Table.

Anyone who enters Boira quickly notices: this is not about grand gestures, but about a solid everyday offering. The lunch menu changes weekly and costs €18.90 — drink included. There are two starters, three main courses and two desserts to choose from; at the weekend the offer turns into a brunch. In practice this means a quick, well-made midday stop for employees, people on breaks or visitors to the nearby market.

The dishes fall into a flexitarian field: vegetables play a role, but fish and meat are of course present. On the plate one week you might find pumpkin cream soup with ginger and coconut, another week patatas bravas with sriracha mayo. Main courses range from grilled sea bream to a veggie burger or a skewer with roasted vegetables. Desserts such as a peach cheesecake or a crema catalana round off the menu. The wine list features Mallorcan bottles as well as aged Riojas and Riberas; for a seaside perspective on lunch and wine see Lunch by the Water: Sea Bass, Wine and a Relaxed Pace at Portixol.

For the neighborhood around Plaza de las Columnas this is no small matter. Pere Garau draws people from across the city; new restaurant offerings there mean more reasons to stay in the area in the morning or afternoon. Boira complements the scene with a quiet courtyard area and a small rooftop terrace from which you can watch the city silhouette between church towers and modern buildings — ideal on a clear spring afternoon.

One thing noticeable in everyday life: good location plus moderate prices often creates loyalty. Those who sit here at midday meet neighbors, market workers and employees from nearby offices. This isn't high-end restaurant theatre, but reliability — and Palma's eastern neighborhoods have certainly benefitted from a few more of those in recent years.

Looking ahead: Boira is not a loud claimant, but an example of successful urban repair through gastronomy. When the rooftop gets warmer in spring, it would be no surprise to see more set tables and regulars. My tip: try the lunch menu, come early to grab a spot in the courtyard, and then plan a short walk along the Nurredduna to the market — that way a good meal connects with the real sounds and smells of this corner of Palma. For a broader look at Mallorca's market culture, events such as Dijous Bo in Inca: Market, Music and the Return of the Boats showcase the island's lively market traditions.

In short: Boira brings affordable quality back to Plaza de las Columnas. No pomp, no hype, just a place that makes everyday city life easier — exactly what neighborhoods like this need.