TaPalma is on: A weekend of tapas through Palma's Old Town

TaPalma is on: The Old Town smells of garlic and adventure

Palma is dressing up: TaPalma has begun, as noted in TaPalma 2025: Five Evenings of Tapas, Cocktails and Strolling in Palma, and the old town already smells of fried garlic, roasted peppers and a hint of sea breeze. Between Olivar and Passeig del Born the city is buzzing; vendors clear tables, street music blends with the clatter of serving dishes. This morning at a coffee in Olivar I met two restaurateurs, both wearing slightly nervous smiles — an anticipation you can almost touch.

What ends up on the plates

The facts sound delicious: More than 30 venues are participating, about 70 different tapas await tasting. Classics like escalivada, fried croquettes with ham or albóndigas sit alongside creative creations. One place has generated a lot of talk: the restaurant Morralla again wins the TaPalma prize this time — with the striking Croa Lamar, a combination of squid simmered in beer and a mini croissant. Sounds unusual? It is. Tastes good? Apparently yes.

The organizers keep the timeframe compact: the event runs from Wednesday to Sunday — ideal for a spontaneous evening or a culinary stroll in the afternoon. Many bars offer tapas at moderate prices, so you can hop between several spots without guilt.

Insider tips for the evening

My tip: Don't just follow the main axes. Plaça Major and Passeig del Born are of course charming, but the best surprises are often lurking in the narrow streets behind them — where the cobblestones creak and the tables are still quite close. Bring comfortable shoes and a light jacket: this afternoon there was a short shower over the old town, then it cleared up again. Street musicians appear somewhere — a guitar riff, an accordion, a few voices; that simply belongs to a weekend like this.

Those with children will find family-friendly options. If you prefer to sit: arrive early or reserve. Many places start filling up around 20:00.

Why the visit is worth it — and what Palma gains from it

TaPalma is more than a snack marathon. It is an invitation to rediscover Palma's gastronomic scene: you get to know small kitchens, talk to restaurateurs, learn which ingredients are in season — tomatoes, fresh fennel, catch of the day. For the local economy, such events are important; they bring visitors into corners of the city that are often overlooked, and they give small businesses visibility.

It is also a great way to try new things without committing to a long menu. You can hop from one mini portion to the next, have a glass of local wine in between — and maybe you will find exactly the tapa you'll be recommending for years when friends ask for tips.

So: pack a bag, open the app (or just start walking), bring an appetite. And be open to the unusual — sometimes the best is behind a small door in a quiet alley. Enjoy tasting, chatting and discovering. Maybe we'll meet over a croissant with calamari — or something completely different that surprises just the same.