There are fewer places to eat in Menorca than Mallorca, but fear not, as it’s a case of quality over quantity. The seafood is top notch and there is a good variety of cafés near the beach resorts, in the towns, and in hotel resorts. Food is predominantly Spanish, Mediterranean, British, Italian, and German. The nightlife and entertainment are reasonably priced with harbor-side spots to grab a cocktail, beachfront bars, and nightclubs downtown.

Bars and Pubbing in Menorca

The nightlife is more family-oriented than that of noisy Mallorca and hedonistic Ibiza though there are still places to enjoy a beer and dance the night away. The towns of Mahon and Ciutadella have the best options, with the main beach resorts having the most beach bars and entertainment. There are also traditional Spanish spots located slightly away from the main tourist areas, which remain open all day and have cheaper eating and drinking than the places right by the hotels.

The harbor and town of Mahon have the largest number of bars and pubs. Akelarre Jazz Club (Moll de Ponent 41-42, Mahon Harbor) is noted for its live music and cocktails, and can be found near the ferry terminal, while La Mar (Moll de Llevant, Mahon Harbor) is also swanky. For salsa, one of the best nightclubs in Menorca is Zouck and Assukar (Francesc Borja Moll, 1, Mahon), which is also good for pool and catching the latest game on TV. Dancing gets going late and carries on until about 6:00 a.m. (Tuesday to Saturday). There is also a casino at Port Mahon.

Ciutadella has many nightclubs and live music venues, but if you are more interested in relaxing with a beer in a laid back atmosphere, try the Si Vens Café (Avenida Constitucio 22, Ciutadella), which resides in an old Menorcan windmill near Plaça Alfons III. The coolest gig in town is the cliff-side Cova en Xoroi (Ctra Nova 75, Cala en Porter), which is perfect for sundowners, while Son Bou Beach has the Mai-Tai Cocktail Bar (Centro Comercial, Son Bou), a buzzing music spot with tasty cocktails.

Many places in Menorca are open all day at the beaches and around the harbors in Mahon and Ciutadella, although nightclubs don’t tend to open until around 11:00 p.m. and close at sunrise.

Dining and Cuisine in Menorca

Mahon, Es Castell, and Ciutadella have the best options for restaurants in Menorca, both in town and along the harbor fronts. Many establishments are touristy and expensive, but the food is typically of high quality. You can find authentic Menorcan cuisine among with a multitude of European eateries (British, Italian, and German mainly), but diners are better off heading to off the beaten path spots for the best tapas.

All resort areas have a decent selection of dining spots, many of which are located right on the beach in the likes of Cala en Porter and Punta Prima, though most have better choices in the actual town. The big hotels all have restaurants and many guests will be on half-board packages (breakfast and dinner inclusive in the rate).

Popular places to eat include: Es Pla Bar (Passeig de Sant Joan 1, Ciutadella), an expensive restaurant at the head of Ciutadella’s harbor that is noted for its seafood; the decently-priced American Bar (Placa Reial, Mahon), a pleasant café right in town which is good for a coffee, breakfast, and people-watching; the Windmill Restaurant (Carrer Major 53, Es Mercadal), an ancient dining spot in the authentic town of Es Mercadal in central Menorca; and the must-visit Cova d’en Xoroi (Carrer de Sa Cova s/n, Cala en Porter) for romantic dining right on the sea with a cocktail.

The local seafood stew dish caldereta de langosta is a must-eat, while meatballs (albondigas), chicken (pollo al ajillo), and various types of tapas are all made with assurance. To save money, order Spanish dishes and look for restaurants that have a menú del día (“menu of the day,” a fixed-price, three-course meal). The locals eat late in Menorca, with dinner typically starting around 8:00 p.m. after they’re fully recovered from the afternoon siesta. You can eat at whatever time you like, but keep in mind that nightspots don’t really pick up until after midnight.