Find a bite in Palma, Spain

While others say "easy as pie", others can say "easy as paella". This rice dish, that is originally from Valencia, is commonly viewed by non-Spaniards as Spain's national dish, and for a good reason. Paella is as common and as simple to make in the Spanish-speaking world as bread and butter. The classic recipe comprises rice, green beans, rabbit, chicken, sometimes duck and butter beans cooked in olive oil and chicken broth. Traditionally, the yellow colour comes from saffron, but turmeric and calendula can be used as substitutes.

For good paella, try Bar Restaurant Carrion II.

Fish is a naturally popular kind of food in the city that is basically an island in itself. The region offers many possibilities for enjoying tasty seafood and fish goodies. One of the lesser-known yet not less beloved offerings is the locally prepared cuttlefish. Fried, roasted, grilled, and even put into burgers - cuttlefish is as common in local restaurants and on local kitchens as pasta in Italy. The most important thing is to get used to its taste, that may feel a little uncanny to someone not used to it.

La Botana has cuttlefish in spades, including burgers that are highly praised.

Fish is not the only thing enjoyed by the people of Palma and the many tourists coming here every year. Grilled meat is the natural type of food for Spain, with lots of sauces, spices, and other additions providing for a diverse mixture of flavours and aromas. But going even further, there's mixed grill offerings combining different types of meat prepared in special order, sometimes even on special grills. Churrasco is the most common type of mixed grill, but other variations with different distinctive elements also exist. Even mixed meat and fish grill types are available.

Ca'n Manolo Palma offers a great mixed grill.

It's rather ironic, if you think about it, that one of the more popular dishes in a Spanish city is actually of Tex-Mex origin. Nachos consist of fried tortilla chips or totopos covered with melted cheese or cheese sauce, as well as a variety of other toppings. At its most basic form, nachos may consist of merely chips covered with cheese, and served as an appetizer or snack, while other versions are substantial enough as a main course. Nachos vary from the modern style served in restaurants to the street snacks with easier recipes.

Your Mexican food needs will be covered perfectly at 7 MACHOS.

Another strong tie that binds Spain and the larger Spanish-speaking world is the kind of sausage that has become more and more popular over the years. Chorizo is a fermented, cured, smoked sausage which may be sliced and eaten without cooking, or added as an ingredient to add flavour to other dishes. Lots of recipes require or outright demand the use of chorizo, especially in Spanish restaurants, so it's very easy to find the dish in Palma. The trick is to eat it in the best combination.

La Cuadra del Maño has great chorizo.

Moving away from the traditional and common types of food, even the less obvious ones, we should remember the seaside rendezvous of Europe with non-traditional seafood. Octopus is a common type of food in Asian countries, especially Japan, but Europeans find the taste unusual, and very few chefs can actually properly prepare octopus. Contrary to the common belief, it is not eaten raw or alive in most cases. The peculiarities of cooking octopus are for the eaters to discover.

Great octopus can be found at FABRICK food & more.

Yet another offering on our list with Mexican undertones is a traditional soup that Spanyards enjoy. Classic menudo is made with cow's stomach in broth with a red chilli pepper base. One of the names for the soup literally called it "stomach sauce". It's a very slow-cooked dish and is usually served for family gatherings or special occasions, meaning it's a great candidate for restaurants. Adding a bit of personal flavour with spices, herbs, and other additions is an option.

Vandal Palma is a decent choice for menudo.

Potatoes are often dismissed as basic gritty food that's overshadowed by the more complex, exotic, and local offerings that look and feel very special. However, potato-based dishes can also be special. Taters, for example, are grated potatoes formed into small cylinders and deep-fried. They are basically fries with a twist in that they can be served pre-heated, stored as frozen foods, and combined with meats, spices, and sauces to create a unique combination.

One of the places with good taters would be Buco Burger.

Near the end of the list, here's something inherently Spanish. Croquettes are traditional dumpling variations consisting of a thick binder combined with a filling. Chopped meat, seafood, cheese, rice, pasta, mushrooms, and various vegetables - there are some of the fillings normally used for croquettes, but seasonings are equally important to create the flavour that most guests of Spain remember from authentic restaurants. A good drink and some time to digest are recommended.

Stagier Bar is a safe bet when looking for something like croquettes.

The famous French pastry is not something that comes to mind when thinking of a good finisher for a list of dishes popular in Spain. Yet people in Palma like croissants, and many local restaurants provide for their needs. Croissants are a common part of a continental breakfast in many European countries, so there's no secret recipe for making them properly, only care and proper ingredients. So, it's a perfect marker for the quality of work of a restaurant's kitchen.

For a tender croissant, check out Lluis Perez.

Palma is a beautiful place. Full of life, full of things to explore and learn, full of interesting people to meet and places to visit. Grab a bite and enjoy the flavours and quality of local food from around the world to have the ultimate experience.