Tasting Menorca

Classic Menorcan Cuisine

By virtue of its location between two continents, as well as it history of being passed back and forth among imperial powers, Menorcan culture is a patchwork of international influences. These influences extend to even Menorca’s cuisine – one only needs to look at the enduring popularity of gin to understand the lasting impact of British occupation.

Despite outside influences, Menorca has managed to evolve a cuisine that is all its own, and full of fresh Mediterranean ingredients. If you’re planning to visit the island, you can expect to find some of these Menorcan dishes featuring as mainstays on the menu.

Caldereta de Langosta

Literally, “lobster stew,” caldereta de langosta is arguably Menorca’s most famous local dish. The stew begins with a sofrito – a combination of onions, garlic, tomatoes, parprika, and peppers that forms the base of Spanish cooking. The lobster is then added to the sofrito and boiled. If you order caldereta de langosta in a restaurant, it will probably be served with thin slices of bread for mopping up the delicious juices.

Crema Catalana

Most closely related to the French crème brûlée, crema catalana is a rich and decadent dessert common through the Balearics and Catalonia, the autonomous region in the northeast of Spain. The treat consists of a thick, creamy custard flavoured with lemon, orange, and cinnamon. The sugar in the custard is then caramelized under an iron broiler, producing a glittering crust just begging to be cracked with a spoon.

Oliaigu

This typical Menorcan soup originated from the island’s peasant traditions. Its name, which means “oil and water” refers to the ingredients that make up the base of the soup. Garden staples like peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a lively variety of herbs make this soup light and refreshing. Usually served cold with slices of bread and figs, a bowl of oliaigu is a treat during the hot summer months.

Experiencing Menorca

To taste the island’s colourful cuisine, you’ll find that our Menorcan villas are situated in ideal locations for accessing the restaurants that offer such authentic dishes. In addition, the beauty of a rented villa is the kitchen that comes with it where you can try out some of these recipes on those nights when you want to cook for yourself.