TaPalma: The Tapas & Cocktail Festival of Palma
A week of flavour, creativity, and local competition
Every November, Palma’s restaurants and bars join forces for TaPalma, a citywide festival dedicated to the art of tapas and cocktails. For five delicious days, the capital transforms into a tasting route where locals and visitors hop between venues, sampling creative bites and inventive drinks — all competing for the title of Best Tapa or Best Cocktail of the year.
More than a food event, TaPalma celebrates Mallorcan hospitality and innovation, bringing chefs, mixologists, and curious diners together in one vibrant week of taste.
🍤 What is TaPalma?
- When: Around 5–9 November 2025
- Where: Restaurants and bars across Palma
- Events: Tapas and cocktail competition, tasting routes, live demos
- Organisers: Agencia Kumulus & Palma City Council
- Official website
TaPalma began as a small tapas trail in 2005 and has since become one of Palma’s signature gastronomic events, attracting both local chefs and international visitors.
The event has two main parts:
- The Competition – where professionals present their creations before a jury.
- The Route – when the public enjoys the winning dishes and drinks across Palma’s neighbourhoods.
🍸 Main Areas & Routes
| Area | Atmosphere | Highlights |
| Santa Catalina | Trendy, creative, full of small bars | Innovative fusion tapas & craft cocktails |
| La Lonja & Born | Historic and social | Traditional bites, lively terraces |
| Old Town (Sa Gerreria) | Local & authentic | Tapas taverns and modern bistros |
| Palma Marina & Paseo Marítimo | Seafront views | Elegant restaurants and cocktail lounges |
Each year, a map is released showing participating venues — making it easy to plan your own tapas crawl.
🍴 What to Expect
- Affordable tasting portions (€3–6) with drinks included
- Creative themes — from seafood and vegan tapas to dessert bites
- Mixologists competing for the Best Cocktail in Mallorca
- Lively terraces, live music, and friendly competition
- Great atmosphere from midday tastings to evening crowds
🧭 How to Experience TaPalma
- Check the map: Available online or at participating venues.
- Pick a district: Santa Catalina for trendsetters, Old Town for classics.
- Start early: Crowds build fast after 20:00.
- Taste smart: Many spots offer smaller “tapa menus” to try several dishes.
- Vote for your favourite: Some editions include a public award category.
🥘 Where to Eat & Drink
| Place | What to Expect | Best For |
| El Neo Tapas & Cocktails | Known for creative presentation and balance | Tapas-cocktail pairing |
| Ombu | Modern Spanish with a twist, near Born | Contemporary tapas |
| Bar España | Lively local bar in Sa Gerreria | Traditional favourites |
| La Rosa Vermutería | Classic vermut and seafood tapas | Old-school Palma charm |
More dining ideas: Try Asian-inspired menus in Santa Catalina or waterfront bars along Palma Marina for a stylish afterparty vibe.
🏨 Where to Stay During the Festival
| Hotel | What to Expect | Best For |
| Hotel Saratoga (4★) | Central between La Lonja & Born | Easy access to all routes |
| Nakar Hotel (4★) | Rooftop pool and city views | Style-conscious travellers |
| Es Príncep Hotel (5★) | Near Parc de la Mar, elegant and quiet | Luxury with easy walking distance |
🚶 Getting Around
Palma’s compact layout makes TaPalma easy to explore on foot or scooter.
- Walk: Most routes connect within 10–20 minutes.
- Bike/Scooter: Ideal for hopping between Santa Catalina and the Old Town.
- Taxi: Affordable late-night option for returning to hotels.
💡 Local Tips
- Go early on opening weekend — popular bars fill fast.
- Ask for “Ruta TaPalma” at participating venues to see the special menu.
- Don’t rush — locals linger, chat, and share tables.
- Many spots offer smaller “mini tapas” to sample multiple dishes.
- Keep notes (or photos!) of your favourites — you’ll want to revisit them later.
📸 TaPalma vs. Other Mallorca Food Events
| Category | TaPalma | Mostra de Cuina de Mallorca | Wine Days Mallorca |
| Season | November | September–October | May |
| Focus | Tapas & cocktails | Traditional Mallorcan cuisine | Local wines & vineyards |
| Setting | Citywide routes in Palma | Palma & island-wide restaurants | Binissalem & Palma venues |
| Vibe | Urban, social, creative | Local, cultural, family-friendly | Rural meets gourmet |
Is TaPalma free?
Entry is free; you pay only for the dishes and drinks you choose.
Do I need tickets?
No — just show up at participating venues.
Can I join the competition?
Only professional chefs and bartenders compete, but the public can attend tastings and events.
How do I know which places are part of TaPalma?
Look for the official TaPalma sticker or map at venue entrances.
🧾 History & Did You Know?
TaPalma started in 2005 as a grassroots idea to extend Palma’s tourist season and promote local gastronomy.
It quickly became a November tradition, drawing chefs from across Mallorca and the mainland.
In recent years, it has added a cocktail competition, hosted by Mallorca’s top mixologists, judged by international experts.
Fun fact: Many chefs who first competed at TaPalma now run some of Palma’s most celebrated restaurants — turning the event into a true talent incubator for the city’s food scene.
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