An increasing number of tourists in Mallorca are opting to eat supermarket meals instead of dining out. | Photo: Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter
Humphrey CarterPalma15/10/2026 12:34
It’s been a very tough summer for bars and restaurants in Mallorca, in the middle of August the sector claimed takings were down by as much as 50 percent, as the cost of living hits tourists and residents.
And an increasing number of tourists in Mallorca are opting to eat supermarket meals instead of dining out. This behavior has sparked widespread concern among local business owners, leading hospitality associations to sound the alarm over what they call the rise of “sandwich and diesel” tourists—cost-conscious travellers who visit the island but strictly limit their spending to essentials.
Travellers are spending a large portion of their holiday funds on soaring airfares and accommodation costs. Once they arrive on the island, they have much less disposable income left over for leisure spending.
Restaurant owners have had to raise prices to cope with their own soaring operational costs, including higher food inflation, steeper rents, and increased staff wages. Local restaurant associations note that feeding a family of four can easily cost upwards of €200, prompting many to look for cheaper alternatives.
The growing popularity of holiday apartments and holiday homes equipped with kitchens allows tourists to easily prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner themselves rather than eating out for every meal. Local restaurant representatives have pointed out a stark contrast in traveller behavior. It is no longer unusual to see tourists staying in four-star hotels that cost €300 a night bypass traditional eateries entirely. Instead, they head straight to the prepared food section of local supermarkets to pick up a loaf of bread, slices of pizza, or pre-made items to eat in their rooms or take to the beach.
This shift in consumer behavior has created a highly imbalanced season for the island’s economy. While Mallorca remains physically full of visitors, the hospitality industry is experiencing severe financial strain.
Supermarkets are reaping the benefits of increased tourist spending, recording major sales boosts for pre-prepared foods, snacks, and local products. Conversely, traditional bars and restaurants are facing drops in foot traffic and a 10% to 12% decline in average spending per table, leaving the sector vulnerable to widespread closures.