“Bad food at extortionate prices. Its not difficult. 16 euros for tomato and mozzarella starter kind of gives an idea why people are staying away.”
“Whenever there’s a slowdown or dip the Mallorcans almost always put the prices up. It’s insane economics and is going to bite them harder and harder as more punters refuse to pay stupid prices for mainly mediocre fare.”
“Brutal truth. First night of holiday, tourists arrive, not had chance to shop so splash out and dine out. After that shock, down the supermarkets, stock up on food and drink and save money. Perhaps one more night out at the end of the week. It’s not that it’s expensive; it’s just that British tourists have so much less money now.”
“Unfortunately most tourist salaries are the same as a few years ago and all prices have raised tremendously. Same hotel, same time of the year, same service, same type of room, same booking period with same agency. Before covid was below 6000€ for 2 weeks. 2023 become over 9000€ and in 2024 become over 12000€. I really would love that my salary would rise in the same way but unfortunately that’s not the case. You have to make choices to stay within the budget.”
“I am a frequent visitor to the island as my daughter lives there, recently I have noticed a massive increase in prices in restaurants and coffee shops and a decline in quality.
I love eating out but am not prepared to spend a lot of money on mediocre food, I think this may be the problem, especially if one is eating in resorts or in Palma’s main tourist area.”
“A restaurant/bar I visit sometimes across the road from a beach just outside Palma has doubled its prices within the space of one year. And so rocking up on Friday for lunch not having made a reservation and fearing being turned away I had the pick of tables. Most tourists and locals just won’t pay 25 Euros for a simple fish dish with vegetables at a place that used to charge 13 Euros for the same plate and on an island where they can pay 13 Euros in many decent places for the menú del día. So the restaurants crying for the loss of customers need to reflect the old saying of you can fool me once but never twice.”
“Whilst I appreciate costs have risen significantly, most Mallorcan restaurants are extremely expensive for what is offered. In fairness, restaurants are businesses and if they can get away with then why shouldn’t they? However, tourists and residents alike are not so free spending and if restaurants want to attract customers they may need to improve the offer and reduce their prices.”
“I am not at all surprised restaurants are losing customers. So many seem to being to trying to catch up for the profits lost during Covid and have pushed up prices way beyond those justified by inflation. €25 to €30 Euros for a main course - common in Puerto Pollensa - simply isn’t sustainable for many on a holiday budget. Spain used to be great value. Portugal still is but here some are simply getting greedy.”
“They need to reinvigorate the Tapas bars, go visit Valencia or Santiago de Comp’ to see how to do Tapas correctly instead of the luke warm unappetising gunge you see behind the glass at some of these unwelcoming establishments in Mallorca. And for goodness sakes, ban smoking on the terraces, filthy habit, keep it to yourselves.”
“I’m seeing so many establishments that have increased their prices by significantly more than the (admittedly high) compound inflation rate of the last couple of years, I wonder if they are getting what they deserve as a result?”
11 comments
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Perhaps it's time to consider booking holidays outside of a British resort? Try this: rather than search for the cheapest (which often turns out to be more expensive), make a list of the things you'll enjoy (other than the cheapest) and search based on that. You might be surprised what turns up. And don't worry about being exposed to "foreign stuff" on your hols abroad. Really, you'll probably be surprised how bad it isn't. Good luck.
The Balearics believe their own hype. Words like Paradise, VIP experience etc don't wash. They say the Balearics is a gastronomy destination. Nothing further from the true. It's not that the British don't have the money. It's the fact that they won't pay for sub standard service. Nor will the rich. Eventually, you get found out. I can find better food and service in the farthest places in the countryside at establishments still run by family members, where they actually still appreciate your custom
Interesting to see this Spiraling out of control but it is Rich people you will find occasionally but seldom most in Palma or Milano beach Rich people eat at Home super good and cheap , there is the need to make $ before the tourist are gone as the entire hate tourist thing is starting to Bite and that will hurt !
Morgan WilliamsDon't tell them! Most on here think it's normal to pay 2.70€ for a coffee
Is there some new law requiring you have to go to mediocre restaurants that are expensive and have crappy food? Because the rest of us can enjoy some pretty good food for not a lot of money around most of the island, but it won't be freeze-fried F&C or prefabricated poly-cheese microwave burgers, if that's what you'd rather have. Although I think that paying outrageous money for that seems a bit daft, but you know what they say...
I see Puerto Pollensa gets a mention, but being a regular visitor there, I can confirm that in general the costs for a meal out have not risen more than a few euros in the past couple of years. Like anywhere with a vast amount of restaurants on tap, there are some more expensive than others, but definitely reasonable value to be had if you look.
It's a combination of profiteering and complacency. Making bigger profits while the sun shines and complacency that the tourists will keep coming whatever is thrown at them. They'll find out that it doesn't work like that.
We recently met up with some friends who were staying for a week in Pta Pollensa. Supposedly one of the better restaurants in town - but we were shocked by the very, very poor quality of food that was presented and the prices were crazy high.
Ya think!
Fairly accurate comments. Especially true in Old Town Palma where I think the squeeze has gone in all areas for restaurants - cost of ingredients; labour costs; and rent. I think the only restaurants that survive for any number of years either own the building they are in, or have exceptionally good lease terms. That said, some places are getting it right - Stagier in Palma for instance is incredibly good value for what it is. We ate there a couple of weeks ago for €115 and the food was excellent. In comparison, ate at another Santa Catalina establishment a week later for €85 and the food was bland to ok at best.