The Sea Club Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Cala Rajada
This week’s restaurant ticks several boxes for me. It’s right on the seafront, has been in the same family for decades, and will stay open until December 27th.
The Sea Club Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is part of The Sea Club in Cala Rajada, right on the promenade. This colonial-style villa first opened in 1964 as a guest house, where the movie star Sean Connery famously stayed while filming in Mallorca. Framed photos of him – and Michael Caine – at The Sea Club are still part of the décor.
The third generation of the Cumberlege family – brothers Nicholas and Luke – took over the running of the business in 2021. The plans they implemented mean that today, they’re at the helm of a four-star boutique hotel that’s retained its original character and charm while meeting the demands of 21st-century guests. They also achieved their goal of offering high-end cuisine in Mallorca’s northeastern fishing port and resort. With a kitchen led by executive chef Michael Bosca, the restaurant is notable for its fresh produce, seafood, and rice dishes.
For our late lunch, we sat on the terrace admiring the sea views. There are covered and indoor areas with heaters for cooler temperatures, to which we retreated for a post-lunch coffee when the temperature outside dropped.
Our friendly server brought us the menu and the separate fresh fish menu, which changes according to availability. Although the four bluefin tuna starters were tempting, we opted for The Sea Club’s homemade chicken ‘croquetas ‘with kimchi (four for 14€) from the à la carte menu. The inclusion of leek with the chicken added a touch of sweetness and a point of difference.
We returned to the fresh fish menu for our main course dishes, and both chose sole (39€). It came with a choice of garnish and accompanying sauce; our fish was served with the tasty, classic French meunière sauce of butter, lemon, white wine, capers, and parsley. The sole was perfectly cooked and delicious, and we had it with French fries and sautéed vegetables that had retained some of their crispness.
Our desserts were chocolate mousse and roasted pineapple with coconut ice cream (7€ each) – both were a satisfying end to lunch.
To drink, there’s a good choice of cocktails and wines from the Peninsula and Mallorca, including some by the glass (we paid 8€ a glass for Can Axartell Rosé).
The Sea Club is perfectly situated for a post-lunch walk along the seafront promenade, during these quieter off-season months. We’ll be returning to eat there again before they close, and next time, maybe we’ll stay the night for the evening ambience and a cocktail or two. I think the late Sean Connery would approve.
Prices correct at time of writing.
Photos: Jan Edwards and The Sea Club