Barefoot Restaurant, Portocolom

The word ‘barefoot’ conjures up images of a relaxed summer lifestyle in Mallorca. It’s an appropriate name for a stylish hotel and restaurant in beautiful Portocolom, which never seems as frenzied in the high season as some other coastal places on the island.

Barefoot Restaurant is open to the public, with a separate entrance so you don’t have to walk through the hotel (but do check it out for a future stay, perhaps). It’s away from the strip of eateries facing the busiest part of the harbour and, as a result, it’s easier to find street parking nearby.

Open for dinner only, Barefoot Restaurant faces pine trees and the sea across the road. Cleverly designed windows – an architect could provide a name for this type of window – mean you have the benefit of fresh air and uninterrupted views from the sea-facing dining room.

Barefoot Restaurant has an informal, modern décor based on natural materials and a palette of warm, earthy shades – design elements used throughout the whole hotel. Behind the dining room, there’s a patio area for al fresco eating. Here, until the end of September, you can enjoy the playing of the acclaimed Spanish guitarist Juan Reyes, (a friend of the late Paco de Lucia), every Wednesday evening.

The à la carte menu is inspired by the favourite dishes of the famous German actor, writer, and filmmaker, Til Schweiger, who is behind the Barefoot Hotels brand. The cuisine is fresh and regional, featuring ingredients from Mallorca, and the menu reflects the recent change of chef.

Our dinner began with a complimentary sushi. Apart from Til’s three favourite dishes, the menu offers a dozen tapas, including stuffed artichoke flowers, patatas bravas, a coca, and a bao bun of black Mallorcan suckling pig. We opted for Balfegó tuna with a wasabi sorbet (18€) and calamares (16€) – either of which could be shared as a starter.

Each of the main course dishes – except the Tomahawk steak – costs less than 30€. My generous ‘arroz a la llauna’ – rice cooked on a tin tray – with red prawns and scallops was delicious (24€). My companion enjoyed his turbot fillet with seasonal vegetables (27€).

Of the four desserts, we had a moreish, creamy white chocolate confection with mango and passion fruit (8€) and deconstructed cheesecake (9€).

There’s an extensive list of traditional cocktails (including alcohol-free), and a good choice of Mallorcan, Spanish, and Italian wines, including wines by the glass (from 7€).

Barefoot Restaurant is yet another good reason to visit beautiful Portocolom – and to wander a little further from the main stretch of eateries.

Photos: Jan Edwards

Prices correct at time of writing.