Basic Bar Restaurante, Palma

2019, Oct. 7th

A high-quality three-course lunch for under 15 € in Palma de Mallorca? Find it here, close to El Corte Inglés on the Avenidas.

You’re unlikely to stumble across Basic Bar Restaurante on a wander around Palma de Mallorca. This restaurant is tucked away in a side street, off Carrer Aragón, close to the rear of El Corte Inglés on the Avenidas.

Basic has been open for a decade and owes its success to owner Gerhard Berktold’s philosophy of offering high-quality cuisine at affordable prices. Gerhard knows more than many about fine gastronomy, having been head chef at St Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, before he left to open his own place in Palma.

 
Launching a new restaurant only a year after the 2008 global financial crisis was a risky move, but Gerhard’s philosophy paid off. Despite all the trendy new eateries opened in Palma since then, Basic proves that great value for money never goes out of fashion. When we had lunch there last week, it soon filled with customers.

 
The contemporary décor is unfussy but attractive, with red-painted walls, polished wooden floors, and simple table settings. Contemporary art on the walls gives the décor added appeal. The restaurant’s abundance of natural light comes from the large rear window, with a view of a small enclosed courtyard.

 
Basic has an open kitchen just beyond the front area of the premises, where there’s a chill-out seating area for drinks.

 
Lunch is a bargain here: the daily three-course menu costs 14.90 € and includes bread and a drink. Choose from a glass of house wine, beer, soft drink or still water. We had a generous glass of a quaffable rosé wine.

 
On the day we visited, I started with a flavoursome coconut and curry soup and my companion chose the Arabic salad with pita bread. A third starter – tempura prawns with avocado and salad – was available for a supplement of four euros.

 
I enjoyed my tasty glazed ‘secreto’ of pork with honey and aubergine caponata. My companion was pleased by his fried cod fillet with lemon crushed potatoes. Main-course choices included two others with a small price supplement and a vegetarian pasta dish.

 
Our sweet conclusion was a suitably sticky apple tarte tatin with ice cream.

 
As well as à la carte, Basic offers a set menu for dinner, with a choice of three, five, or eight plates (21 €, 28 €, 34 €). Wines from Mallorca and the Peninsula are also affordable, with several available by the glass.

 
Don’t just eat like a local: eat like a discerning local at Basic Bar Restaurante in Palma de Mallorca.

Photos: Jan Edwards / Basic

Prices correct at time of writing.