Restaurant Review - Santuari de Cura in Randa

Address: Santuari de Cura, Puig de Randa, 07629 Mallorca, Spain

Phone: +34 971 12 02 60

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.santuaridecura.com

Opening hours: Better call or check website - Note: in winter lunch only!

Cafeteria openings times: 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Style: A mix of authentic Mallorquin and Spanish with Vegetarian Choices

Occasion: For an outing with friends

Price of meal: €€€

Quality/Affordability Rating: Affordable

Three Santuaris – Gracia, Sant Honorat and Cura - are located on this mountain in Randa, near Algaida. Toward the top of the peak, remains of a defense fortress dates to Islamic times. Legend has it that in 1274, Ramon Llull, Father of the Catalan language, received his enlightenment here.

I knew nothing more than this when a friend invited my husband and me on a sweltering day in early August to join her family for a dinner at the Santuari de Cura at 8:30 p.m. so we could watch the sunset. On our way there we drove through Algaida, then made a left at a small road behind people on horseback coming in from a long ride in the valley. We went past a horse farm and up through the village of Randa, past the most unusual rock formations the like of which I have only seen in one other place on Mallorca, on the road to Esporles from Calvia.

The winding road then took us into the campo giving vistas of all four directions.

An Oasis of Cool #

Shortly before arriving at the Santuari de Cura, we came past a weather station with satellite dishes which broke the ethereal mood. Don't let yourself be deterred by this eyesore. Once you drive past it, this place is otherworldly beautiful! When we arrived at the parking area and walked through the gates, I realized that the weather up here was actually spectacular – the air had a softness like nothing else on the island. When leaving Andratx half an hour ago, temperatures had been 34C, whereas up here they were a mild 24C, dropping to 21C during dinner so we needed our pashminas to keep us from the chill. Delight during a heat wave!

Affordable Mallorca Tip: The entire staff was gracious, always smiling, friendly and multi-lingual. So, if you do not speak Spanish, that should not deter you from enjoying dinner or staying at the hostel.

The Food #

The menu showed a mix of traditional Mallorquin and Spanish with vegetarian choices. My favorite was the slow-cooked Baccalou (Cod) in a herb sauce and a savoury pumpkin risotto with the most typical of all Mallorquin desserts – the Gató de almendra con helado (almond cake with almond ice cream), with local almonds used as the main ingredient in both.

And absolutely affordable, too #

For a dinner serving five people, with three full courses plus bottles of precious water plus coffee and tea after dessert, the bill’s total was €113. None of us drank vino tinto or blanco, so add that cost to the meal if you want nectar of the gods to go with it.

If you want to stay for the night #

I asked our friends what they were paying for rooms. They had booked directly and received a bottle of prosecco upon arrival with a double occupancy, four-night stay costing €300 during high season.

With a rental car at €28/day, they were able to drive to all the beaches, enjoy the evenings in Palma on a budget of less than €500 for each of them.

Find out more about Randa and nearby Algaida

- the villages' rich history, the atmosphere and also why they make good property choices

Worth a visit? #

Panoramic views, a wonderful climate and a decent choice of food all contribute to the special charm of the Santuari de Cura.