The Balearic Islands are an age-old favourite with travellers across the world. Soaked in Mediterranean sunshine, Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera are well-known as a destination for beach lovers and wellness enthusiasts.
Whilst Spain’s cuisine has never traditionally focused on vegan food, with both meat and fish being staples of a customary Spanish diet, times are changing. Chefs are taking the beautiful vegetables that have traditionally been side dishes and moving them to centre stage with vegetarian and vegan dishes. The Balearics have a wealth of locally-grown ingredients, and the year-round sun helps produce a stream of delicious fruits and vegetables.
The rise of tourism has also helped promote vegan cooking, and today there are many options on the Balearics for vegans. If you’re travelling off-peak, some restaurants may have limited hours, but there are several places that proudly offer a vegan menu. We look at the restaurants that will add a twist of the delicious to your holiday experience.
Photo by David Švihovec on Unsplash
Majorca: Ca n’Ela Vegan Restaurant
Located in the centre of Palma, Ca n’Ela is a little gem of a restaurant that only opened a few years ago. The owner used to work as a chef in another restaurant, but when the pandemic hit, she decided to take the plunge and open up her own space. The result is a restaurant that offers a range of seasonal, fresh dishes that has rave reviews from vegans and non-vegans alike.
The dishes are beautifully presented and the cosy, family-run atmosphere has diners coming back for more. They can also cater for coeliacs, which can be difficult to find on holiday, and have a range of desserts that expand far beyond just sorbet. This restaurant is also pet-friendly, if you’re looking for somewhere that can welcome your canine friends.
Ibiza: Simbiosis
Stroll along the winding, cobbled streets of Ibiza’s Dalt Vila old town, and you’ll find Simbiosis. This restaurant is truly committed to offering a fully vegan menu, and has been operating that way for over 12 years, so they’ve got plenty of experience. The ethos for Simbiosis is to provide an oasis where cooking is seen as an art, and they focus on creating sustainable dishes with balanced macrobiotics such as whole grains, vegetables and beans.
They are continuously updating and evolving their menu, and the newest addition is tapas-style dining, where you have several small plates to get a variety of tastes rather than just one main dish.
Photo by Edgar Castrejon on Unsplash
Formentera: Integral
Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands, so you could be forgiven for thinking that you might struggle to find a vegan option for eating out. Luckily, Integral saves the day on the north side of the island. Only a 12 minute drive from Formentera’s famous beach Ses Illetes, it’s the perfect place to stop for a pre-beach lunch, or a sunset dinner. Make sure to reserve a table if you’re looking to have dinner.
It’s run by a friendly local called Elena, and has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. If you fancy one of the vegetarian options, speak to the staff and they’ll be happy to make it vegan for you if they can.
