3 new Michelin stars for Mallorca’s restaurants

In a small square, just a 5-minute walk from the cathedral, is the El Llorenç Parc de la Mar hotel, where the DINS restaurant is located. In his kitchen, local chef Santi Taura conjures up traditional Mallorcan dishes with a modern twist. Especially recommended is the tasting menu at lunchtime, which presents Mallorcan flavours in a different way. After all these years, when the excellent chefs Benet Vicens and Santi Taura were always considered favourites for a Michelin star but did not win, this year it finally came true: on Monday evening (14.12.) in Madrid, at the Real Casa de Correos on the famous Puerta del Sol, the restaurants Béns d’Avall and Dins were each awarded a Michelin star at an online gala. Andreu Genestra also received a star, albeit a slightly different one, for his restaurant of the same name in Capdepera: a green star for the special focus on sustainability (he also received his “normal” Michelin star). Benet Vicens, who has been sharing the official chef’s dignity with his congenial son Jaume for some time, took over the beautiful restaurant on the west coast between Deià and Sóller in 1984 from his parents, who founded it back in 1971. At his side the whole time: his wife and service manager Catalina Cifre. The cultivation of tradition, of local products, partly from his own cultivation, has been his credo for many years, indeed he was one of the first to consecrate gourmet cuisine to the region. At the same time, father and son cook creatively, seasonally and even inspired the wife of the former American president, Michelle Obama, who was a guest there on both of her visits to Mallorca. Santi Taura started his second restaurant, Dins, a few years ago in the building next door to his other restaurant, Santi Taura in Lloseta. His Dins concept: elaborate, fascinating, surprising, but still rooted in tradition and local products. If Santi Taura doesn’t get a star with this new concept, what will? It is different, exciting and simply very good. Today, there is no longer a restaurant in Lloseta, but Santi Taura has recreated his diner in the El Llorenç Parc de la Mar hotel in Palma. A casual annexe, Cor barra y taula, directly at the Mercat de l’Olivar complements his offer.

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