La Bóveda

Price guide: Budget

C/Boteria 3, Palma, Majorca, 07003

Price guide: Budget

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Jamón and a cold beer, tapas doesn't get better

By Tara Stevens, your Palma expert

I write for Condé Nast Traveler, Olive .... Read more
#5 of 8
expert-rated restaurants in Palma
Expert overall rating:4.7 out of 5
Food and drink:
4.7
4.7
Ambience:
4.5
4.5
Service:
4.5
4.5
Location:
4.7
4.7
Value for money:
4.7
4.7
Recommended for:
Backpackers / Students, First-time travellers, Foodies, Mature travellers, Seasoned travellers, Nightlife, People watching

Best for Cheap eats - Expert review of La Bóveda

Last updated 13 December 2010

Bustling and boisterous, welcome to the city's most iconic tapas bar.

The art of the tapeo (tapas hop) is beloved of the Spanish character and there’s no better place to get into the swing of things than here, at one of Palma’s original tapas bars. Have a little of what you fancy then move on, this neighbourhood is overflowing with good things so make a night of it.

Food and drink: 

This is a place that highlights the classics from crisp fried croquettes to small cazuelas (earthenware bowls) of steamed mussels in wine. Let your eyes and nose be your guide and choose whatever looks good laid out in the glass counters, or from what your neighbours are having. Menus are available in English.

Recommended dishes: 

Obviously a plate full of gossamer thin slices of pata negra jamón (Iberian cured ham) is a no-brainer. Then perhaps some of those devilish little green Padrón peppers (the ones that are sometimes hot, something not), some wedges of Manchego cheese paired with a glass of house Rioja … need I go on?

Ambience: 

A little bit rough and ready, La Bóveda is everything that’s great about this most convivial of Spanish habits: the sharing of plates, the exchanging of gossip, the noise, the clatter, the general bonhomie all shoehorned into an old fashioned, tiled bar with barrels on the wall. People have moved country for less.

Service: 

Having lived in Spain for many years the service is exactly as I’d expect. They get the job done, no more, no less. If you fancy an exchange of pleasantries strike up conversation with the person next to you.

Location: 

On one of the oldest streets around Sa Llotja (the old stock exchange) the neighbourhood is brimming with atmosphere (mainly of the eating and drinking variety).

Price advice: 

It’s tapas folks, so that’s anywhere from 1.60 euros for a plate of pa amb oli (bread and garlicky mayo) to 15 euros for the finest acorn fed parts of the black footed pig.

Tables to book: 

Tables? No self-respecting Spaniard bothers with tables. Elbow yourself some space at the bar then listen and learn my friends. And remember, there’s nothing wrong with saying: I’ll have what he/she’s having.

Other useful branches: 

Taberna La Bóveda (www.tabernadelaboveda.com) offers more of the same in slightly more upmarket surrounds with a terrace.

More information on La Bóveda:

Price guide:
Budget
Type:
Tapas bar
Food:
Tapas
Address:
C/Boteria 3, Palma, Majorca, 07003
Telephone:
971 720 026
Website:
http://www.tabernadelaboveda.com
Serves:
Lunch, Dinner
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 1.30pm-4pm, 8pm-midnight. Closed Sundays.
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Reservations:
Not possible

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