S'Estany d'en Mas

Turquoise water retreating slowly across fine pale sand. Pine trees climb the rock ridges flanking the bay, bathing the whole curve in a soft, resinous light. Between them: wooden parasols and sun loungers, the smell of pork ribs drifting from the kitchen, and behind it all — practically with its feet in the sand — a restaurant with a view of one of the quietest small coves on the east coast. Concept The beach club at Cala Romàntica is not a velvet-rope operation, but a beach restaurant in pure chiringuito tradition — set directly at the small cove south of Porto Cristo. The kitchen runs Mediterranean classics, service is attentive without being stiff, and the wooden parasols and sun loungers are as much part of the concept as the turquoise shimmer reaching almost every table. Those who want to eat well on Mallorca's east coast while gazing out over one of its finest small bays are in exactly the right place. Atmosphere & Setting Cala Romàntica — in Catalan, S'Estany d'en Mas — is less than 200 metres across. The water stays shallow for a long stretch, shifts from emerald at the surface to deep blue-green further out, and on both sides pine trees lean over the rocky ridges. Those rocky edges make for good snorkelling, and a coastal footpath with sea views starts right at the cove. The restaurant sits slightly above the sand or just behind it, giving almost every table a water view. Guests who arrive in cooler weather report that staff hand out blankets — and occasionally offer a complimentary round on the house. That says a lot about the tone: relaxed, attentive, unpretentious. On Sundays, Spanish families arrive in force and give the place a genuinely Mallorcan character. Food & Drinks The menu spans morning to evening: classic ensaïmadas with coffee for breakfast, light snacks alongside full plates at lunch, tapas and main courses in the evening. Pork ribs and calamari have earned a loyal following — both turn up repeatedly in recent guest feedback as must-orders. Paella is a reliable classic, sangria on almost every table, and a broad cocktail list makes afternoons at the water stretch pleasantly. One practical note: some dishes are only served in portions for two, so a quick read of the menu before ordering pays off. Prices run noticeably above the Mallorca average — a premium for sea views and beach access that most guests find easy to justify. Who It's For Families with children, couples after a relaxed lunch with a view, and hotel guests from the nearby resorts all feel equally at home here. Weekdays are quieter; Sundays and peak season are significantly busier — those after calm are better off arriving early on a weekday. Loungers and wooden parasols with safe-deposit boxes are available to hire, making a full swim-and-eat day easy to put together. Insider Tip The car park is the main friction point: small, fills fast, narrow entrance — latecomers park further up the slope and walk down. Arriving early pays off. Coming without a car: the nearest bus stop is about a ten-minute walk away. The cove follows a clear seasonal rhythm: December is almost deserted, the bay fills through spring, and August and September see everything at capacity. Glass-bottom boats and catamarans stop here regularly — early arrivals watch the comings and goings from their tables.