Gran Fiesta del Marisco - Seafood Festival, Palma de Mallorca

The system is simple. You pick up the menu up at the entrance, tick off what you'd like to eat then pay for it all at the front desk. I suggest a stroll along the food counters to familiarise yourself with the options. The menu is only available in Spanish, but there are handy photographs showing what's what. There's also some live examples in the big fish tanks. The seafood is transported directly in 'camiones-piscinas', literally 'swimming-pool trucks', a method which ensures the products are fresh.

The dining room is rustic. The rows of wooden tables and benches reminded me of the Oktoberfest I'd been to in Palma a few weeks previously. The food is served on plastic plates and it's not assumed you'll need cutlery. Don't use cutlery. Tucking into seafood with your hands adds to the experience. I'm pretty sure it enhances the flavour too!

Talking of flavour... Permission to rave? The grilled 'zumbariñas', galician scallops (7€), were as exquisite as their purple shells. Warm and succulent, they ask to be savoured, especially as they are served in four. I could have eaten another four, but to repeat dishes when there was so much variety on offer, seemed foolish.

For something with a little more zest, I recommend the 'mejillones a la vinagreta', mussels in vinaigrette (7€). The helping is generous and the mussels are big and fleshy.

I was quite surprised to read 'buey cocido' on the menu, as 'buey' is an ox, and I couldn't see how cooked cattle had slipped into a festival of seafood. It turns out, in this context, it means big, juicy crab. At this point, I'll mention that if you don't like seafood this place isn't for. Seriously, if you were thinking of surviving on a side of potatos, I'm afraid you're not going to survive. The only accompaniment you'll get here is a hunk of fresh, Galician bread (1,50€), perfect for smearing crab all over, not ideal as a main dish.

Normally I wouldn't have gone without trying the octopus dish, 'pulpo a feira' (10€) which is one of the classics of Galician cuisine. The octopus is boiled, sliced into tender rings and served covered with sea salt, olive oil and Spanish red pepper. I urge you to try it!

Today I opted for 'cigalas a la plancha', grilled crayfish (15€). The crayfish is sliced in two and grilled in its juices. Is it me or is everything more delicious when grilled? I may start grilling my breakfast cereal soon. These crayfish transported me out of the rustic marquee and into a Michelin starred restaurant, and for the record, I only had one glass of Ribeiro (2€), the deliciously smooth Galician white wine. The crayfish, served hot, were buttery and rich, and I loved that the garlic wasn't overpowering.

The folk music playing in the background was cheerful enough, but if you want atmosphere, then it's probably best not to go on a rainy Wednesday afternoon! The busiest times are either in the evenings, or on Saturday and Sunday mornings. On the weekends there's live music, so expect bagpipes, known as 'gaitas'.

It's perfect for big groups and families, with plenty of room for buggies and for little legs needing a stretch. The venue is popular with the locals. It's unpretentious and all about enjoying the food in good company. Coffee and cocktails are available in an adjacent tent. If the sun comes out, as I'm sure it will, there's plenty of seating outside too.

The fair is open from 12.30 - 23.30 every day until 25th October.

...

Follow more from Emily on her website.