A Gastronomic Guide to Menorcan Cuisine

The local cuisine of a particular place is usually determined by geography. Since the Balearic island of Menorca is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, it is no surprise that the local cuisine is comprised of seafood and vegetable dishes. The food is typically also healthy and low in fat, but abundant in flavour. Visitors booking villa rentals on the island may already have researched a list of destinations to take in, but when it comes to cuisine, the following delicacies should not be missed.

Mahón Cheese

You cannot visit Menorca and not try the famous Mahón cheese from the capital city. The island is renowned for its cheese production and its dairy plants carry an exceptional reputation throughout Europe. Mahón cheese is widely available around the island in local restaurants and you may even want to purchase some at a food market or deli to take back to your villa rentals. It’s a flexible cheese that can be served over pizza, pasta, and rice dishes. Mahón cheese comes in different two varieties: the Aged Mahón is harder and usually comes in waxed paper, while the Artesano Mahón, which is aged not more than three months, is softer. Both varieties, however, have a creamy texture and taste sharp and are a little aromatic.

Must-try Seafood

Whether you eat out in restaurants or chose to cook in your own villa rentals, the island's abundant seafood is not to be missed - especially mussels, sea bass and lobster. The island’s most famous seafood dish is the Caldereta de Ilagosta, or lobster stew. It is a rich, tomato-based stew that’s simply bursting with flavour and spices. A good Caldereta de Ilagosta will stay in your memory forever!

An Array of Pastries

Menorcan cuisine is really a combination of different cultures, and this infusion of influences is evident in the many creative and tasty pastries the island has to offer. From the simple Flaons, which are cheese-filled breads, to fun sugar biscuits such as Crespells and Pastissets, to the staple Ensaimada, the array is nothing short of mouthwatering.

While the more common pastries are easily available at bakeries to take back and enjoy at home in your villa rentals, you may want to explore a little further afield for some of the more specialized pastries. For instance, the traditional Ensaimada is usually sprinkled only with powdered sugar, but many artisan bakers take the bread to the next level by using different fillings and toppings. Some of the varieties of Ensaimada include cottage cheese filled, toasted-cream filled, chocolate-filled, apricot-topped, and a popular savoury kind filled with a local sausage called Sobrassada.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.