Palma has plenty of options for anyone looking for a lighter, healthier meal, from juice bars to cafés built around fresh vegetables. Here are two places worth knowing about.
Ziva
Ziva specialises in raw, entirely plant-based food — meaning nothing is heated above around 46°C, a principle followers of raw food believe helps preserve nutrients. The menu includes:
- smoothie bowls topped with fruit, seeds and cacao nibs;
- cold-pressed juices;
- raw dishes made without refined sugar, dairy or additives.
On Saturdays there is a brunch, and during the week it is a popular stop for a quick lunch. The space is bright and colourful, and the dishes are as much about presentation as taste. Ziva also offers juice and raw-food programmes for those who want to follow them.
Simple Smart Food
Simple Smart Food has a broader menu, combining juices and smoothies with more substantial dishes:
- breakfast: avocado toast, chia puddings and bowls;
- lunch: soups, warm lentil stews, quinoa salads and wraps.
It is designed for people who want something nutritious and ready in minutes, and is popular with students and people working nearby. Takeaway is easy, and the meal can be enjoyed on a nearby square or on a walk through the old town.
Which to choose
- For something entirely raw and plant-based, Ziva is the more distinctive option.
- For a wider choice that includes warm food, Simple Smart Food is the more flexible.
Tips
- Both places are happy to adapt orders — extra seeds, a different plant milk or more greens.
- Go early at weekends, when brunch spots fill up quickly.
- Palma’s markets, such as Santa Catalina and Olivar, are also good places to find fresh fruit, vegetables and organic produce for eating on the go.
A note of caution: juice-only “cleanses” are popular, but there is little evidence that the body needs help to detoxify. A varied diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit and wholegrains remains the best approach.
