Cantina Panzà: Tapas With a Twist

Cantina Panzà sits right on La Rambla where Palma moves at its own pace. This is a place shaped by everyday rhythm rather than occasion dining. People come in for a drink, stay for a plate, and often end up sharing several. From the start, the concept is clear. Mediterranean cooking rooted in tradition, interpreted with lightness and a sense of humor, designed for the table rather than the individual plate.

A Menu Built Around Curiosity

At Cantina Panzà, the menu balances familiarity with small surprises. Many dishes are instantly recognizable, yet they arrive with names or ideas that invite a second look. Not because they aim to provoke, but because they quietly play with expectations.

One example is El Vitello Tomato. The dish replaces veal with tomatoes while keeping the classic tuna and mayonnaise sauce. The result feels both lighter and remarkably coherent. Like the wafer-thin cocas topped with three different anchovies. The dish, called matrimonio polyamor, embraces contrast without excess and works precisely because it stays simple.

At the same time, the menu remains grounded. Patatas bravas, croquetas, and torreznos anchor the selection, while larger plates such as oxtail cannelloni or grilled sea bass invite for a longer meal. Nothing feels experimental for the sake of it. Instead, the dishes encourage sharing, ordering gradually, and letting the evening develop.

Behind the project are chef Javier Gardonio and his partner, Michelin-starred chef Fernando Arellano. Their shared approach favors clarity and balance over complexity. Cantina Panzà reflects their belief that good food doesn’t need to be loud to be memorable.

A Place with Memories

Cantina Panzà works just as well for a casual stop as it does for a full evening. The bar and adjoining sala are a standing invitation to enjoy a vermouth or a glass of wine, and a small plate or two. When the day calls for it, the terraces on the patio and on La Rambla extend the experience outward.

The location itself carries history. Previously home to Bodega La Rambla, the space has long been part of Palma’s tapas scene. Cantina Panzà builds on this past, giving the space new energy and sophistication while staying true to its social, food-driven roots.

Even the name reflects that idea. While panza literally translates as paunch, the word also reflects joy in life’s simple pleasures: good company and good food.