Café L'Antiquari, Palma de Mallorca

Right on the corner of Carrer Arabí, the small side street leading from Carrer Sant Miquel down to La Rambla, Café L’Antiquari complements the neighborhood of book stores and cafés. Find a place inside at the cozy bar, on the patio or vis-à-vis along the limestone wall of the medieval church. Whether you just come for a drink or you are hungry for a snack, there is a nice choice of tasty things on the menu – plus a broad range of international newspapers. I always love to read, but at L’Antiquari, it’s even more exciting just to watch the people on their way up and down the stairs – it’s like a stage play.

The mix of neighbors and visitors strolling, hurrying, or pausing to take in the relaxd atmosphere of that corner is an entertainment in itself. From time to time Café L’Antiquari also invites musicians to play on the small plaça. In the summer season, however, it’s mostly street musicians who occupy it. On my last visit there was a great guitar player performing flamencos – reminding me of the scene when Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) seduces Vicky (Rebecca Hall) in Woody Allen’s wonderful movie VickyCristinaBarcelona.

If you have a closer look at the café you’ll find a lot of nice details – an old milk can, a watering pot out of use, a radio from the seventies, or an antique sewing machine. All objects serve a new purpose, maybe as a flower pot, or as a table. I also love L’Antiquari’s food, in particular the plato del dia – always a good recommendation. And the Quiche, it comes with a small side salad. They also serve Salar coffee, so I always finish my meal with a café solo.