living mallorca

If you like food like me, you can consider yourself lucky. Today we are visiting the Mercado Gastronómico San Juan in Palma’s Eixample and I swear it won’t disappoint you. Even if it has only been open for less than a year it has proven to be a success. You can find it at the Modernist complex of s’Escorxador in Carrer de l’Emperadriu Eugènia, 6.

S’Escorxador was built in 1905 by the Palma architect Gaspar Bennàssar with a rather bloody purpose: it was destined to be the city’s slaughterhouse. In an early XX century Modernist style, it provided Palma with meat for over 70 years, after which it was turned into a modest fashion shopping centre, even if it did not eventually succeed. However, around 26 years ago in 1990, it was decided to turn it into a mixed space that would combine culture, community services and shopping.

Today, this space offers a rather complete experience and helps put this otherwise quiet neighbourhood on the map. There is a supermarket, a cultural and medical centres, a small cinema (Cine Ciutat or Cine Renoir) that offers films in their original version with subtitles and a gastronomic market: the San Juan.

Similarly to other bigger cities, Palma could not help having its own gastronomic market. The indoor space of s’Escorxador was carefully redesigned to host this food lovers heaven that opens every day, Monday to Sunday. The decoration feels like it has been there for over a century. You can find all sorts of tapas and meals to cater all palates, from pizza to traditional Mallorcan food, croquettes, Basque pintxos, seafood, sushi, Thai or Latin food and, obviously, Spanish tapas. Don’t worry if you have a sweet tooth, there are cafés and bakeries for you to enjoy the best French and German pastries and cakes. You can also find delicious cocktails and overall, this makes the perfect place for afterwork drinks or food.

The San Juan has a beautiful website where you will find all details about this historical building and all it has to offer. You can find it here. You can also subscribe to their newsletter to hear about all the events they organise, such as concerts, launch of new products, presentation of books or gastronomic guides or wine tasting.