You’ll find your way to the centre of Palma de Mallorca, but pay a visit to Santa Catalina as well. This former fishing quarter is by far the nicest district of Palma. There, you’ll encounter the most innovative dining concepts. A shortcut: As a typical surfer’s restaurant, The Duke is loved by many. Right next door is a wonderful Italian restaurant Bunker’s Palma. Having said that, Bar Ventuno and Rikito are good for pizzas and drinks too. If you have cravings for Mexican food, El Aquanauta is the place to be in this district. Be sure to schedule a visit to the Santa Catalina Mercat on Saturday.

What takes your fancy: fresh sushi or dim sum? The Mercat is where it’s at. There’s also an oyster bar, which you can head to for oysters and a glass of bubbly. Naan Street Food is the perfect place for fantastic fish tacos and kimchi salad.

Restaurant Brutus in Palma de Mallorca is a new Italian restaurant – a trattoria, to be precise – in the El Terreno district, one of the city’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, which somewhat fell into disrepair in recent years. It was time to breathe fresh life into the district, and that included Restaurant Brutus, launched by the Fluxà family (who also own the Mallorcan shoe brand Camper). Brutus is on the ground floor of one of seven buildings recently renovated here. The name? That comes from the brutalist style of the building’s architecture. Uhuh. The unpretentious space mainly built from concrete is softened by lots of wood and splashes of colour. There’s also lots of glass, which draws your attention to the lush vegetation on the outdoor terrace. And so there’s an abundance of greenery. brutusrestaurante.com

Fancy a hassle-free meal out in style? El Txoko de Martín is a good option for you. It’s sophisticated yet accessible. You also get the best of traditional Basque cuisine, served by Spanish chef Martín Berasategui. The restaurant is located on Plaza del Puente in the Santa Catalina district. It is a dark restaurant (tick) with a spacious terrace (tick). Don’t want to miss out? Go for the classic lobster brioche and cabbage salad or the delicate cod fillet with porrusalda, a traditional Basque leek soup. eltxokodemartin.com

Only have a few hours on Mallorca and can’t decide where to go? Definitely book a table ahead of time (or space at the bar – the best place for a good time!) at El Camino. It’s an absolute favourite. It’s a small, upscale, quintessentially Spanish tapas restaurant. We can’t stress it enough: definitely book in advance. elcaminopalma.es

While the whole island is worth a visit, we have a limited number of holidays and have to make a decision somehow. If you like small coves, a rugged coastline and creative restaurants and shops, go for the south-west coast. Picturesque Deià is home to De Moniö, a small shop full of hand-painted ceramics, crockery and glassware, which also serves as a vegetarian sandwich shop. Also in Deià, Villa Rullan is a beautiful old villa that’s been transformed into a cocktail bar and bistro. The terrace has the very best views over the valley, making it the ideal spot to enjoy your cocktail. For entertainment, stay in the area. Go to Cafè sa Fonda, a local bar that often has live music. It’s not pretty or hip, but it’s great fun and gorgeously Spanish. Got something to celebrate? Have dinner at El Olivo restaurant in the Belmond Hotel – still in Deía. Nothing can beat the view. A good alternative is Barretes restaurant at the awesome Ca’s Xorc hotel. The journey to get there – up a thrilling mountain pass – is an experience in itself.

Mallorca’s south-west coast seems to have a patent on the most beautiful villages. Many people know of Sóller, but we can’t resist mentioning Patiki Beach – our favourite kind of beach resort. Not far away is Valldemosa, another idyllic postcode. You simply have to visit the village, and while you’re there, don’t miss out on a table at La Posada restaurant for an insane view at an easy-going restaurant. Hotel Mirabó de Valldemossa is perhaps a little less easy going, but if you feel like pampering yourself, make sure you book a room there.

You also need to visit one of the many markets – that’s a trip in itself. Our favourite is on the other side of the island, in the village of Santanyí. At the weekend, the narrow streets are lined with market stalls, and locals and tourists alike flock here from neighbouring villages. There’s a warm, friendly atmosphere, with fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese and meats, beautiful flowers and local produce. The abcmallorca website tells you when the market days are.