{"id":82571,"date":"2022-06-14T23:38:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T21:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/?p=82571"},"modified":"2026-01-08T21:22:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:22:17","slug":"es-verger-alaro-mallorca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/es-verger-alaro-mallorca\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant Es Verger in Alar\u00f3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At Es Verger restaurant in Alar\u00f3<\/strong>, 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<\/a> – find out why here!<\/p>\n\n

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View from Es Verger Restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

An excursion to Es Verger in Alar\u00f3<\/h2>\n\n

Alar\u00f3 is a small village at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains in the west of Mallorca. Alar\u00f3 is best known for its weekly market<\/a>, which takes place every Saturday in the village center, and for the Castell d’Alar\u00f3<\/strong>, which towers above the tranquil town on the Puig de Alar\u00f3<\/strong>. On the way there is the excursion restaurant Es Verger, also very popular among Mallorcans.<\/p>\n\n

Fancy a relaxing vacation in the mountains of Mallorca?Click here to book your accommodation in the Serra Tramuntana!<\/a><\/p>\n\n

\"Restaurant<\/figure>\n\n

You can find more tips for Mallorca here<\/a><\/p>\n\n

\"Restaurant<\/figure>\n\n
\"Restaurant<\/figure>\n\n

The best lamb shoulder in Mallorca<\/h2>\n\n

Rumor has it that Es Verger is THE place to go for the most tender shoulder of lamb<\/strong> ever. But also the lechona<\/strong> (suckling pig) and the cabrito de monta\u00f1a<\/strong> (goat) are also among the house’s signature dishes. At Es Verger, the meat is slowly roasted in the huge wood-burning oven<\/strong> 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<\/strong> who did a bit for a BBC show here. Even the German star chef Tim M\u00e4lzer has once filmed here and written down his own recipe. <\/p>\n\n

Tim M\u00e4lzer’s recipe for Mallorcan lamb shoulder<\/a><\/p>\n\n

\"Shoulder<\/figure>\n\n
\"Lamb<\/figure>\n\n

The ambiance is rustic<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n

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Hiking to Es Verger<\/h2>\n\n

It takes about an hour and a half to<\/strong> walk up from Alar\u00f3 to the restaurant Es Verger, and there are quite a few meters of altitude<\/strong> 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.)<\/p>\n\n

\"Alaró<\/figure>\n\n

By car to Es Verger<\/h2>\n\n

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! <\/p>\n\n

\"Road<\/figure>\n\n

However, I didn’t expect what was coming: The road that leads up is mostly not asphalted<\/strong> and hardly wider than a small car. And it’s full of tight curves<\/strong> 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<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n

The ride up is really not for the faint of heart.<\/p>\n\n

\"Road<\/figure>\n\n

Tips for the drive<\/h2>\n\n

But if you still can’t let it go (like me), here are a few tips:<\/p>\n\n