Mallorca is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, and Palmanova is no exception. Known for nature, nightlife, and calm, crystalline waters, this easily accessible beach town lies just 25 minutes west of the island’s capital city of Palma, making it one of the island’s most convenient places to explore. However, in terms of serious eats, the Palmanova’s offerings have left much to desire—that is, until now. Enter Beso Beach, the game-changing restaurant shaking up Palmanova’s fine dining scene.
Officially opened on July 1st of this year, Beso Beach is already making waves across Palmanova’s culinary scene. Surrounded mostly by casual snack bars and takeaway ice cream joints, this breezy, quality-focused establishment situated in the newly opened Zel Hotel offers Basque-inspired Mediterranean cuisine against a beachfront setting that promises to dazzle all five senses.
Surrounded by palms at Beso Beach
The restaurant is the fifth Beso Beach installment globally (the fourth for Spain), following in the successful footsteps of its Formentera, Sitges, Ibiza, and Estepona locations. I personally checked out the restaurant a few weeks back and was blown away by the restaurant’s airy atmosphere, warm hospitality, and above all, meticulous attention to detail, specifically within the realm of fresh seafood offerings. Here’s a small taste of what the experience looked like.
Sourdough bread with aioli and olives
We started the meal with a round of sourdough bread with aioli and olives. As someone who lives part-time in France, I can honestly say that this was one of the most perfectly-cooked pieces of bread to ever grace my palate; a thick, crusty exterior marked by a soft, pillowy center, perfect for soaking in the creamy, flavor-packed aioli.
Josper-cooked scallops with harissa
Next up: (Perfectly) Josper-cooked scallops topped with harissa and drenched in butter. The flavor and texture of this dish were both a 10/10 for me.
Firewood octopus with celery sprout purée and harissa aioli
In addition to the scallops, we shared firewood octopus with celery sprout purée and harissa aioli. I probably would’ve preferred this without the aioli, and the texture wasn’t nearly as heavenly as that of the scallops, but it was an overall decent dish.
Grilled sea bass at Beso Beach
Our main course: More grilled sea bass than two humans could ever possibly consume, but man, was it delicious! Flaky, garlicky, and refreshing—the perfect beachside meal.
Espresso martini at Beso Beach
We washed the meal down with a delicious espresso martini—and a slice of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake (called the “chocolate orgasm” on the menu) which was consumed too quickly to be photographed.
Additional menu offerings range from Acorn-fed Iberian ham croquettes, Josper-cooked clams in green sauce, and a traditional grilled vegetable and sardine Mallorcan cake to wild tuna belly, Josper-cooked shrimp, grilled turbot, and more. Overall, it goes without saying—if you’re heading to Palmanova and looking for the best place to dine, Beso Beach is undeniably the answer.