A very special canteen: Patrón Lunares

No doubt Patrón Lunares is currently one of Palma’s hippest restaurants. A unique atmosphere, great food and a touching personal story behind it all. Whether you just have a beer at the cool bar or spend a whole night exploring the menu over a bottle of wine or two, you’ll surely enjoy the Patrón.

For more than a century, the premises served as community center for the fishermen and sailors of Santa Catalina. The new owners – Javier Bonet and Oliver Torrents, plus about a dozen silent partners – were wise to keep its original spirit, leaving in the beautiful chessboard tile flooring, the spectacular iron columns and the characteristic wooden beams. Vintage furniture, photographs, maps and objects are all somehow related to the sea. And a small dolphin on the table that tells you it is reserved.

The menu focusses on local and seasonal products and, in the first place, on fresh fish and seafood. A specialty of the house and hard to find in other restaurants, or on the Palmesan markets is the Negrito. A local fish living in deep water around the island, feeding on clams, so the taste has a hint of mussels, but the texture of fish – definitely a great catch. But I can also recommend the Burger of the house (Hamburguesa del Patrón) with natural Angus beef from the local Finca Son Mayol, or the super tender filet steak (solomillo de buey). Whether fish or beef, make sure to try one of their bread side orders.

Dessert comes on a tray, a selection of every postre on the menu. Mostly served in a small glass, so you can choose by sight and return the rest to the waiter. Sometimes though it’s hard to stick to one glass, only…

Patrón Lunares by the way was the nickname of a real man named Miguel Bonet Oliver, grandfather of Javier Bonet. Legend has it that he was a popular fisherman and one of the best captains in his time. Known for his social awareness, cooperation and friendship between the neighbors of Santa Catalina.