Restaurant Es Verger in Alaró

Aktualisiert am: 20/01/2024

At Es Verger restaurant in Alaró, it’s said that you can get the best lamb shoulder on the island. To say one thing up front: Yes, it was probably the best lamb shoulder I have eaten in my life. On the other hand, a visit to Es Verger is one of the greatest adventures you can have on Mallorca – find out why here!

Es Verger Alaró Mallorca
View from Es Verger Restaurant

An excursion to Es Verger in Alaró

Alaró is a small village at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains in the west of Mallorca. Alaró is best known for its weekly market, which takes place every Saturday in the village center, and for the Castell d’Alaró, which towers above the tranquil town on the Puig de Alaró. On the way there is the excursion restaurant Es Verger, also very popular among Mallorcans.

Welcome to my travel blog!

Hey, I’m Tatiana, a German-Brazilian living in Berlin & the author behind The Happy Jetlagger. I’ve been writing about my travels since 2014. In addition to my job as a flight attendant, this blog is my passion project!

Fancy a relaxing vacation in the mountains of Mallorca?
Click here to book your accommodation in the Serra Tramuntana!

Restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca

You can find more tips for Mallorca here

Restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca
Restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca

The best lamb shoulder in Mallorca

Rumor has it that Es Verger is THE place to go for the most tender shoulder of lamb ever. But also the lechona (suckling pig) and the cabrito de montaña (goat) are also among the house’s signature dishes. At Es Verger, the meat is slowly roasted in the huge wood-burning oven for hours in the morning until it lands on the plates at noon, aromatic and soft like butter. Meanwhile, the Mallorcan lamb shoulder of Es Verger has brought it to some fame since it’s been discovered by British TV chef Rick Stein who did a bit for a BBC show here. Even the German star chef Tim Mälzer has once filmed here and written down his own recipe.

Tim Mälzer’s recipe for Mallorcan lamb shoulder

Shoulder of lamb Restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca
Lamb specialty restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca

The ambiance is rustic and simple. Outside, you sit on plastic chairs like in a beer garden. However, with the fascinating mountain panorama all around, this isn’t important at all.

You may also have to get used to the fact that the meat, so delicious, is so tender not only because of the long braising, but probably also because of its freshness: at least some small goats run around on the property and you’ll hear them moving.

 Restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca

Hiking to Es Verger

It takes about an hour and a half to walk up from Alaró to the restaurant Es Verger, and there are quite a few meters of altitude to climb. So in summer, it is rather not recommended if you do not leave early enough. (Please also check if it’s open at all, sometimes the restaurant is closed for vacation in plain summer.)

Alaró in Mallorca from above

Advertising / *affiliate links

By car to Es Verger

Alternatively, you can drive up to the restaurant and park in a parking lot. I have ignored warnings that the way here is adventurous. I said to myself, if others can make it up there, then I can do it too, that’s for sure!

Road to Restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca

However, I didn’t expect what was coming: The road that leads up is mostly not asphalted and hardly wider than a small car. And it’s full of tight curves uphill! The road is rather reminiscent of a hiking trails and you won’t see any guard rails or anything alike. But my adrenaline level reached its peak when oncoming traffic appeared – often the only thing that helped was to roll backwards to the next slightly wider spot and pray that it fits somehow without any major damages.

The ride up is really not for the faint of heart.

Road to Restaurant Es Verger Alaró Mallorca

Tips for the drive

But if you still can’t let it go (like me), here are a few tips:

  • Remember that you have to accept damages to the car on this route. Especially because of the bumpy road, this drive is not recommended for sports cars.
  • Are you traveling by rental car? I always recommend fully comprehensive insurance without an excess, for example by booking here *. It doesn’t usually cover damage from driving over such crazy roads, but maybe it will help.
  • Go with the flow: Drive up in the morning if possible, then there are fewer cars on the road and there is little oncoming traffic.
  • Aim for Es Verger for lunch before many dishes are sold out, then you can head up to the Castell and then back down in the late afternoon with everyone else like in a convoy.
  • Parking: Also because of the parking situation on site you should go early. Parking is limited, so is the space above. If you arrive too late, you have to park rather adventurous in the few bays just outside the parking lot. Or even worse: You have to go all the way back immediately (happens again and again), because there is simply no more space left and you made all the effort for nothing.
  • The higher up you are, the less likely you are to find a opportunity to turn around.
  • So if you’re scared to death after just a few minutes, you’d better turn around and go back while you can. After a certain point there is no turning back and you have to go up to the parking lot.
  • Drive carefully!

However, whether on foot or by car, you’ll have earned yourself the huge portions at Es Verger by the time you reach the top!

Es Verger
Camino del Castillo de Alaró
daily 10-20, except Mondays (check for vacation in plain summer!)

More articles about Mallorca:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *