Sa Millor 2026: Mallorca searches for the most creative burger

Sa Millor 2026: Mallorca searches for the most creative burger

These days the streets of Palma more often smell of fried caramelized onions than of the sea: the island kicks off a new round of Sa Millor at the beginning of May, the competition that puts Mallorca's burger kitchens in the spotlight. From May 4 to June 2, 25 restaurants and street food vendors on Mallorca compete; the island is the starting point of a schedule that will later include Ibiza and Formentera as well as Menorca.

New this year: guests' votes no longer only count at the end — they are now a significant part of the scoring and contribute 30 percent to the overall result. On site you can vote by QR code — a quick scan, a few clicks, and you're done. Those who try and vote more often also have the chance to win a kind of culinary lottery: a prize with an 'overweight guarantee' — free burgers for a year at all participating establishments.

The jury will still award prizes for the best island burger creation, the best vegetarian option and an award for the best Km0 ideas. The latter recognize dishes that use ingredients from the immediate surroundings: if venues use at least 60 percent island products, they receive a 0.5-point bonus to their score. Also new is the category 'Most Original Burger', which rewards creative ideas.

Confirmed participants on Mallorca include well-known names such as Hard Rock Cafe Mallorca, Manduka Street Food, BROX Kitchen & Drinks, Burger Club and The Royal Burger; the full list is available through the competition's official voting system. In September there will also be a separate competition just for food trucks — a sign that the organizers want to make the mobile scene more visible.

What does this mean for the island? First: variety on the plate and on the streets. On a mild evening, walking past Plaça Cort or the Passeig del Born you are now more likely to encounter teams shaping patties, toasting buns and tasting sauces. Second: a small boost for local suppliers when chefs try to improve their score with Km0 ingredients. And third: crowd-pullers for neighborhoods that otherwise would still be waiting for tourists in spring.

As a scene detail: you hear scooters on the Passeig, the clatter of cutlery from a backyard bistro, people quietly arguing about which burger deserves the crown. These little images make the contest feel more like an island-wide event than just a race for prizes.

How to take part: simply eat at one of the participating venues, scan the QR code and vote. Tip for the curious: be sure to try the vegetarian and Km0 variants — the most surprising combinations often come from there. And if you have some time, compare multiple places to create your personal favorites list.

Sa Millor is not a scientific ranking but a celebration of taste and ingenuity. For Mallorca this means more attention for small kitchens, a bit more recognition for regional producers and above all the contagious joy when people start talking about something everyday — buns, patties and whether caramelized onions truly belong on every burger. A good start to May if you have an appetite.