Restaurants across Mallorca have already sold out for the solar eclipse set to take place on 12 August, as thousands of visitors prepare to head to the island for one of the summer’s most anticipated astronomical events.
Hospitality leaders say the level of demand has been unlike anything previously experienced, with some restaurants receiving reservations years in advance. Tomeu Mas, manager of Mallorca CAEB Restauración, described the response as unprecedented for the sector.
“We have never seen bookings made so far ahead,” he said, noting that restaurants throughout the Serra de Tramuntana and popular coastal areas such as Sant Elm in Andratx are already fully booked for the date of the eclipse.
One of the busiest venues is Es Canyis in Soller, where owner Ángeles Hernández revealed that a group of American tourists secured a reservation for 100 guests two years ago. The group requested exclusive use of the restaurant’s upstairs dining room along with a specially prepared menu for the evening.
Hernández said she only became aware of the eclipse’s significance after receiving the booking. Despite the exceptional demand, she insisted the restaurant would not increase prices for the occasion. “They are very good customers,” she said.
The American group has also recently contacted the restaurant about arranging lunch earlier in the day to avoid possible travel disruption before the eclipse. Before returning for dinner, they are expected to watch the phenomenon from two boats sailing off the coast near Sóller.
Although many restaurants along the coast are fully booked, Mas said some inland venues still have availability, including the restaurant at Puig de Santa Magdalena in Inca, another popular viewing location. He added that the unusually early reservations were helping businesses prepare more effectively for the height of the summer season, stressing that restaurants had not raised prices despite the surge in demand.