Santosha, Palma

Friendly service, cool décor, and delicious healthy food await you in this brunch/lunch eatery in a quiet lane in central Palma

2019, May 13rd

Santosha restaurant is in a quiet lane in the heart of Palma, offering sanctuary from the bustle of the more tourist-populated areas. Owners Ruth and Eran previously worked in the yachting sector as chef and captain respectively and put their roots down in Mallorca to open this restaurant in 2016.

Located just off the street Bonaire, Santosha is in a characterful old building with several rooms. Ruth and Eran have made this a homely and relaxed place to eat or have a drink, with colourful contemporary art on the walls, shelves piled with books, and modern lighting. In front of the counter and kitchen area, a glass panel in the polished-wood floor reveals an old Spanish Ossa motorbike under your feet.

 
Ruth’s food is international, healthy, tasty and home-made. It’s based on local organic produce and is predominantly plant-based, so there’s a good choice for vegans and vegetarians. Anyone with allergies can eat here with confidence, having explained their dietary restrictions.

 
There are dishes suitable for a late breakfast, brunch, or lunch. We (three of us) shared a generous plate of hummus, roasted vegetables, locally made pitta bread, olives and pickles (12,50€). Gluten-free sourdough bread, sourced from Thomas Bakeshop in Santa Catalina, was brought for my coeliac dad.
We had an omelette with fresh coriander, spices, green chilli, and fresh cheese, served with a green salad (9,50€) and crispy corn tacos with bean chilli, avocado, coriander, and lime, topped with pulled pork. Two of us had two tacos each, which were very tasty (if a little messy to eat!). Three gluten-free desserts were offered and we chose cheesecake and a baked chocolate mousse.

 
The drinks list offers plenty of choice, including local organic wines, cocktails, teas and infusions, and coffees. Home-made ginger juice, mint lemonade, or Gindi’s ginger beer – made by Eran – are all recommended.

 
As well as the à la carte menu, Santosha offers a daily set menu (menú del día), of a soup, dish of the day and dessert, including water, for 15€. A blackboard lists the day’s specials.

 
For a warm welcome, good food, and a brief escape from the city crowds, seek out Santosha.

Photos: Santosha / Jan Edwards

Prices were correct at time of writing