Forn, Palma
A family-run restaurant offering creative cuisine in a former old bakery in La Lonja
2019, Apr 22nd
Forn in Palma is in a former 19th-century bakery in La Lonja that was converted into a restaurant in 1992. The founder’s sons Carlos and Christian are now responsible for Forn restaurant, which has recently undergone a stylish makeover.
Forn has long been known for its creative tapas and consistently reliable cuisine. When I moved here in 2004, it was the place for a gastronomic experience in Palma – long before Mallorca’s capital became the gourmet destination it is today.
What used to be the cocktail bar on Forn’s ground floor (the former bakery shop) is now a smart eating area, with a mix of seating. The restaurant’s past is still evident though, with the old oven doors visible at the back of the ground floor. There are dining areas on two upper floors and one dining area with a large window looking out onto the street, just a few steps down from the ground floor.
Forn maintains its long reputation for creative cuisine – having updated its menu during the restaurant’s refurbishment and rebranding.
The menu includes a good choice of tasty tapas, including prawn gyozas and fennel sauce, mini Iberian pork burger, sunflower-seed mayonnaise, Mahon cheese, and leaf mustard, and their Forn-style patatas bravas. In addition, there are starters, main courses, and desserts – including the popular ‘baccio di dama’- lightly caramelised strawberries filled with crème brulée.
Forn also offers a good-value lunch menu, with a choice of three starters, three main course dishes, and three desserts – including water and coffee for 19,50€. We started with a fresh-tasting crispy chicken salad with kimchi mayonnaise and nuts; for mains, we had black rice with squid and yuzu alioli, and the vegetarian zucchini stuffed with mushrooms and goat cheese. To end our lunch, we had chocolate and pistachio brownie with apricot ice cream and pineapple tatin with delicious cardamom and coconut ice cream.
Join the Forn Addicts Club and lunch here will cost just 18 €.
Photos: Forn Palma / Jan Edwards
Prices were correct at time of writing