Waterfront restaurant in the small fishing village of Fornells, famous throughout Menorca for its caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew). The village was once the King of Spain's preferred summer lunch spot.
Café Migjorn is one of the most visited seafood restaurants in Fornells, a small whitewashed fishing village at the head of a long protected inlet on Menorca's north coast. Fornells is famous throughout Spain for one thing above all else: its caldereta de llagosta, the Menorcan lobster stew that was famously the preferred summer lunch of King Juan Carlos I when the Spanish royal family vacationed in the bay. The village's restaurants have built their reputations on this dish, and Café Migjorn is among the most consistent performers. The caldereta is made from live Menorcan spiny lobster, simmered in a rich shellfish and tomato broth thickened with bread and seasoned with local herbs. It is served as a shared dish for two (around €90) with rounds of crusty bread for soaking up the dark orange broth. The restaurant's setting is a straightforward waterfront room facing the inlet, with a simple terrace on the quay. Grilled langoustines, fresh local fish, and simple starters round out the menu for those who want to eat without committing to the full caldereta. The restaurant is open for lunch only and closes in winter. Visits to Fornells for the caldereta are a summer day-trip tradition for many Menorcans and island visitors.
Signature dishes
- Caldereta de llagosta for two — €90
- Grilled langoustines — €35
Good to know
- Known for
- The best caldereta de llagosta in Fornells
- Hours
- Daily 1PM-3:30PM (lunch only, closed winter)
Location
Carrer Nord 7, 07748 Fornells, Menorca
40.0625, 4.0037 View on map
Highlights
- Fornells waterfront restaurant celebrated for Menorca's iconic caldereta de llagosta lobster stew
- Live Menorcan spiny lobster stewed in shellfish broth — the dish that made Fornells famous across Spain
- Caldereta served for two with crusty bread for soaking the rich, dark orange broth (~€90 per pair)
- Lunch-only service in a whitewashed fishing village on Menorca's protected northern inlet
- Grilled langoustines and fresh local fish for those wanting lighter alternatives to the caldereta
Tips for visiting
- The caldereta is a commitment — it is rich, substantial, and sufficient as both starter and main for two people
- Arrive at noon when the restaurant opens to secure a terrace table facing the inlet before the day-trip crowd arrives
- The restaurant is lunch-only; plan the journey from Mahón or the resorts to arrive by noon–1PM
- Fornells is 35 km from Mahón by road; the drive along the north coast is scenic and worth extending
- The price of caldereta varies with the lobster market rate — confirm the current cost before ordering
Accessibility
The restaurant is on the Fornells waterfront at quay level. The entrance and dining room are accessible without steps. The terrace is on the quay at the same level. Parking is available on the road leading into Fornells village.
Frequently asked questions
What is caldereta de llagosta and why is Fornells famous for it?
Caldereta de llagosta is a traditional Menorcan lobster stew made with live spiny lobster, tomato, shellfish broth, and bread. Fornells became the centre of its production because of the village's access to the lobster-rich northern waters, and gained national fame when the Spanish royal family regularly lunched there in summer.
Is Café Migjorn open for dinner?
No. The restaurant is open for lunch only, typically from 1PM to 3:30PM. There is no evening service. It also closes during the winter months.
How much does the caldereta cost at Café Migjorn?
The caldereta de llagosta for two is priced at approximately €90 and varies with the daily market rate. Confirm the price at the time of ordering as lobster prices fluctuate.
Is Fornells accessible from the main Menorca resorts?
Yes, Fornells is on the north coast roughly 35 km from Mahón (capital) and about 40 km from Ciutadella. A car or taxi is required; public transport to Fornells is limited.