Food and Drink
Menorcan food is traditional and simple and influenced by the seasonal ingredients available. The basis for all meals is the "mediteranean trilogy" olive oil, bread and wine. One of the benefits to us of being an island is buying imported and pre-prepared food is so much expensive and unreliable deliveries that more of what is on offer in the restaurants, bars and shops will be homemade or made on the island at least.
You can eat both expensively and poorly, cheaply and well on the island. We are not food snobs but we don't like to pay over the top for mediocre food. We like value for money whether it costs a few euros or lots of euros. As everywhere else in the world there are three simple rules to follow:
1) Eat where the locals eat. Be "brave" you will be rewarded.
2) Take the "menu del Dia" during the day or "menu del Noche" at night
3) Follow the Tips.
Menorca Holiday Tips
If you or your children have forgotten or never seen that vegetables are not always same shape, same colour, often tasteless wrapped in some plastic film so you cannot smell it then Menorca is for you! It's a place where you can still taste the earth in which they grew. And they are very tasty. Our recommended restaurants will use local produce and you can tell.
For an island surrounded by water fish dishes on the island are expensive. If like us you love fish then enjoy it as part of a "menu del dia". You will often get near enough the same fish, in portions size too, that you would in an a la carte choice. Restaurante Irene ( Es Castell) does very good fish as part of its menu del Dia and menu del Noches.
Breakfast
Islanders will tend to eat sweet pastries. If you want something hot and savoury then hot baguettes will be freshly made with local pork, chicken or Tortilla fillings. Also "Tostada" (Toast) or "Churros con chocolate". If you need your cholesterol fix there are enough "English Breakfast offers" in the resorts.
Coffee
All coffee is always made from an expresso base, so will have less impurties and caffeine. Spanish coffee has traces of chicory in it so has a different taste to Italian coffee. We love it!. If you don't want any caffeine then ask for :
- descafeinado de maquina - made with decaffinated ground coffee ( often not great as has been standing around too long and is often oxidised )
- descafeinado de sobre - Packet ( usually a brand manufacturer) served with hot water or milk on request ( con leche )
Coffee Types
- "Cafe con leche" (Milky Coffee-not Cappucinno if you want that ask for Cappucinno made with frothed milk),
- "Cafe Solo" (Espresso ),
- "Cafe Cortado" (Espresso with a shot of milk - typically served in small glasses ),
- "Cafe Bombon" (Espresso with a shot of condensed milk ),
- "Cafe Carajillo" (Espresso with a shot of brandy - favoured my male senior citizens for breakfast!),
- "Cafe Americano" (Expresso diluted with hot water )
Menorca Holiday Tips
We prefer breakfast in the towns where the bakery and pastry shop often double up as shop and cafe. There you can pick out your breakfast pastries or order toasted sandwiches if you want something freshly made and hot. Menorcans have a very sweet tooth.
Lunch
Lunch is usually from 13:00 to 15-16:00 . Choose a "Menu del dia" (fixed price).
In our recommened "Menu Del Dia " restaurants the menus are very good value, very filling - Children can easily share a single portion.
Menorca Holiday Tips
Menorcan cheese is highly prized in Spain but it is not to every ones taste. We personally don't like any but the "Alta" (old=mature) varietes.
"Bocadillos"
For a snack or cheaper meal why not try "Bocadillos", fresh crusty filled baguettes. Available in most Bars, Cafeterias and bakers' shops. Often you will be asked if you want your Bocadillos "con tomate". A healthy alternative to butter , a whole ripe tomato or fresh juice is spread thinly on the baguette before filling. Very refereshing change to spreads - try it a home.
Fillings- traditional ham "Jamon" / "Jamon Serrano" or cheese "Kaeso". Also fresh hot or cold omelette (Tortilla), or with the salami like "Salchicon", or the island speciality "Sobrasada" a soft hot or cold sausage meat made with sweet paprika which gives it its characteristic 'orange' colour.
Menorca Holiday Tips
The "credit crunch lunch" - on offer this year in many places a "Bocci" ( Bocadillo ) and canned drink 2 €. Filling and very tasty.
"Tapas"
Are to be found in most bars. There are a wide selection of typical dishes usually displayed along the top of the bar itself. There are served in small portions and can be eaten as an appetiser, or choose a selection of several to make up a meal. Some of the most popular are: albondigas (meatballs), higado (liver and garlic), riñones al jerez (kidneys in sherry), calamares a la romana (fried squid rings in batter), carne con salsa (meat in a rich sauce), and of course Tortilla.
Menorca Holiday Tips
La Rueda in Sant Lluis has a long bar full of Tapas.
"Plats Preparat"
In recent years there has been a growth of little shops opening up specialising in pre-prepared meals 'Plats Preparat'. These can be great value to take back to your holiday home to enjoy there. These meals will be home made ( you'll probbaly se the kitchen from the counter ). With some places offering 2 or 3 courses as a "until we run out" special . The portion sizes means with bread you'll will have enough for two and a meal for two for much less than 10€. The dishes will be visible so you can choose with your eyes too!
Beer
There are standardised metric sizes in Spain as follows:
- Pinta or Jara - 0.5 Litres approx. a pint,
- Mediana - 33 cl approx. a bottle,
- Cana - 25 cl small glass
Local Specialities
Gin
A throwback to past British influences is the islands own style of Gin ( made from grape based spirit and juniper berries) . Created at the Xoriguer Gin Distillery its self built in the 18th century on the dockside at Mahon harbour. Try before you buy. The distillery is open to the public for sampling from Monday to Friday 8:00AM to 7:00PM and Saturdays 9:00AM to 1:00PM. A favourite drink at fiesta time is Pomada - Gin mixed with bitter lemon or just lemon juice.
"Flan", the local version of creme caramel, is served everywhere for dessert, but look out for "puddin", a Menorcan version enriched with fruit. Tarta de manzana (a French style apple fan) is also very popular, as is "nueces con nata y miel" (walnuts with cream and honey).
Menorquina ice cream, named after the island, is world renown although today it is actually made in Barcelona! There are some indulgent ice cream based desserts which you will see all over the island in cafeteria and restaurant chill cabinets.
Mayonnaise (Mahon-aise )
A food legend on Menorca in its own right with no one really sure of the truth but was it created here on the island? Either way the french occupied the island at this time.
Sweet Tooth
The islanders has a very sweet tooth and most of the simple or fancier patry shops ( Pasteleria ) will have a lot of sweet and sticky pasteries on offer. Island specialities include almond macaroons (carquinyols) or the ever popluar ensaimada - a fluffy ( but not puff pastry ) spiral pastry sprinkled in what seems like 1/2 Kilo of icing sugar.
Lobster Stew
For those with deep pockets, perhaps the island most celebrated speciality is Lobster stew ( caldereta de llagosta ) . It was traditionally a meal prepared by fisherman. See your financial advisor before ordering. To be honest save the money (60 Euros plus ) and enjoy a really good meal at a good restaurant
