7 (Siete) Machos has long been an institution for the residents of Santa Catalina – just a short stroll from Mallorca’s capital, Palma. Attracting locals, yachties and tourists alike, the taqueria has made a name for itself for serving some of the finest ceviche tacos on the island. When I first visited Palma over 5 years ago I immediately fell in love with a tiny tex-mex taqueria set across two floors, one being a basement.
I returned time and time again as my friends were living here, working on boats or in gardens (Not for me. Try digging a hole for a palm tree in 40°C heat!). I told my friends it was them I was coming back for, but a small (quite big) part of me craved that citrusy ceviche, drizzled in hot sauce from a rack of over 10 choices.
Fast forward to 2024 and 7 Machos have expanded. They have two sites, and the new Santa Catalina one is HUGE. Every mouthful is the same fantastic bite as it was before (the very same chef has been here since the start), but a new soundsystem playing authentic Mexican tracks boosts the atmosphere into overdrive. From the custom graffiti walls outside to the adaptive light-changing mural inside, 7 Machos brings colour and flare to all who visit.
For anyone coming here, you MUST try the tequila del casa. Deliciously chilled tequila, a chilli salt (tajin for those in the know) and lime – followed down by a shot of homemade spiced gazpacho. What dreams are made of? You’d be right. For those less spice-confident, they also stock beautiful homemade cinnamon or coconut varieties. And the food is even better.
We had to revisit the ceviche tacos – house cured fish with just the right amount of bite, tomato and chilli salsa, a good helping of coriander and sour cream, drizzled with one of the many El Yucateco hot sauces on the tables. Our table had their Chile Habanero variety… You don’t have to lucky-dip your sauce by the table but it definitely adds to the fun: the dark black variety that plops out of the bottle instead of pouring, for example, builds some fairly aggressive heat that’s to die for. (The tacos can also be served with chicken, lamb and tofu as the protein, and each is just as fantastic).
Speaking of heat, enter La Gringa: a quesadilla packed with punch. Our server recommended the beef option, but the chicken is equally brilliant. The beef iteration comes bearing deep, meaty flavours and an initially gentle spice that will catch up with you by the end of the meal. Jalapeños, spring onion and tomato running through, with generous helpings of sour cream on the side. So all in all, pretty phenomenal so far. And we haven’t even mentioned the tequila selection.
7 Machos stocks 12 tequilas and mescals, with some of the best producers in the world on offer, from standard pours to what they call ‘Superstar Tequilas’. And this is alongside 5 Mexican and 2 Spanish beers including Modelo, Modelo Negra, Pacifico and many more with gluten-free options available… plus a range of other spirits for those of you who haven’t caught onto the tequila trend yet (hint: it’s for sipping, not for shotting!)
So what makes the place so special? According to Bar Manager Alessandro Scibetta (Alex to his friends), the spot has just the right amount of everything.
Alex shares: “We have a passion for creating the best, fresh tex-mex street food and delicious classic drinks with a twist, and staff who are naturally in constant ‘happy mode’ because they love their jobs so much.
The colourful casual decor and soundsystem with perfect latino rhythms never fail to make guests happy, not to mention the warmth and energy wrapped around it all… 7 Machos is for people who love fresh food, good music and, most importantly, FUN”.
7 Machos. I’ve loved you from the start, and that love will never end. You will forever be a reason to return to the incredible island of Palma de Mallorca.
For other ARCADIA recommendations on the island, please see here and here.
