Mallorca Leads Again: Daily Menu Is Most Expensive in Spain

Lunch costs more: Mallorca remains the frontrunner

When I walk past a small eatery on Carrer de Sant Miquel at 1 pm, I often only get a glimpse of the menu board: many dishes, but also a proud price. A recent report from the Spanish hotel and catering sector confirms what many experience in daily life here — the Balearic Islands again top the list of the most expensive daily menus in all of Spain, as detailed in Why the Menú del Día on the Balearic Islands Remains Expensive — what's missing from the conversation?.

How much is charged — and where

On average, the price for a daily menu in the Balearic Islands is about €16, a figure further examined in Why Food Is Noticeably More Expensive in Mallorca — and What We Can Do About It. That is more than in many other regions: the Basque Country and Catalonia approach these values, while the Canary Islands or parts of Asturias remain significantly cheaper. So if you're looking for a quick, inexpensive lunch, you sometimes prefer to drive a few kilometres inland — in towns like Inca the options are often easier on the wallet.

Why this is the case (a brief look behind the prices)

There are several factors: higher labour costs, more expensive deliveries and, not least, the general cost of living on the island, explored in Rising Cost of Living in Mallorca: Who Pays the Price?. Local restaurateurs point out that €16 is an average value — there are still inexpensive menus, but also many establishments that charge more, especially in tourist-heavy neighbourhoods or near the beach.

Also interesting is the development across the country: many restaurants have slightly raised their prices, others kept them stable. This is reflected in a mixed situation in which locals often carefully consider where to go for lunch.

What this means for everyday life

For the employee who quickly pops into a place at the square at lunchtime, that makes a noticeable difference. For visitors, €16 is not unusual; for families, however, it quickly adds up. At the same time, some businesses see no room to lower their prices further — margins are tight.

In the end: those who are clever look for small bistros in side streets, try menus outside peak times or share a portion. And those who are willing to invest a little more at lunchtime will still find quality in Mallorca — just not always at bargain prices.