The perfect fridge stock for your first night at the finca

The first night at the finca has a set routine: suitcase in the hallway, shoes off, patio door open. And then, the reach for the fridge. What's inside determines the mood for the next twelve hours.

An empty fridge on arrival night isn't a disaster. But it is a very reliable mood killer. Someone has to get back in the car, find the nearest open supermarket, and return with a bag that is guaranteed to be missing the most important thing. That's why we’ve written a list. It’s not a law – but it has proven itself.

Arrival night: No cooking required

After a day of traveling, nobody wants to get to know a kitchen. What ends up on the table on the first evening should go straight from the fridge to the plate. Our suggestion is a small tapas platter that practically assembles itself:

• Cheese: a mature Manchego and a mild Tierno, so both children and adults are happy. Everything under Cheese.
• Cured meat: Jamón Serrano, chorizo, a fuet, and – since you are in Mallorca – a sobrasada. Can be found under Sausage & Cold Cuts.
• Olives and Pimientos del Piquillo from a jar, plus crackers or bread. Check out Canned Goods & Ready-to-Eat and Snacks & Chips.
• A tortilla from the refrigerated section that can be eaten cold – or warmed up in the pan for five minutes.

For those who want it even simpler: a bag of chips, a small bowl of alioli, and fresh bread. That’s all an arrival night needs.

The drinks: cold, plentiful, immediate

First things first: water. In Mallorca, you drink from a bottle, and in the heat, you drink significantly more than you think. It's better to calculate generously and order a supply for the first few days under Water.

After that, it gets more personal. Juice, lemonade, or iced tea for the kids from Soft Drinks & Juices. For the adults, the first cold beer after arrival, a rosé for the terrace, or a cava if there is something to celebrate. You can find everything at a glance under Drinks. And because a gin and tonic at sunset is an unofficial Mallorca tradition: be sure to add tonic water, lemons, and ice cubes to the list.

The first morning: breakfast without the scavenger hunt

The second critical phase begins the next morning at seven, when the first early riser goes looking for the coffee machine – and then the coffee. To keep this moment peaceful:

• Coffee, whether ground, whole bean, or in capsules. Ask in advance which machine is in your finca. Selection under Coffee & Tea.
• Milk, butter, yogurt, and eggs from Dairy Products & Eggs. Milk is the most commonly forgotten item on arrival day.
• Bread, toast, or ensaïmadas from Bread & Bakery.
• Jam, muesli, cookies, and cocoa from the Breakfast section. If you have kids with you, better double up on the cocoa.
• Fruit like bananas, oranges, and melon from Fruit & Vegetables – fresh, no cooking required, and quick to slice up.

The underestimated essentials

There are things no one thinks about until they're missing. Vacation home kitchens usually have salt and oil – but not always. And rarely exactly what you’re looking for. That’s why a good fridge list also includes a few basics that don't go in the fridge:

• Salt, pepper, olive oil, and sugar from Oil, Sauces & Spices
• Paper towels, dish soap, and trash bags from Household & Kitchen
• Sunscreen and mosquito spray from Drugstore & Sun Protection
• Ice cubes from the Frozen selection – so the water stays cold even when the fridge is full

How much is enough?

The honest answer: more than you think, but less than you fear. For the first night and the first breakfast, a basic supply is enough, which you can supplement in the days that follow. Most guests order for the first two to three days and then go shopping themselves – or simply place another order.

A tip for groups: Have one person compile the order and have the rest just submit their requests. Otherwise, you’ll end up with five jars of chocolate spread and no milk in your shopping cart. We speak from experience.

How the WOW MART works

You assemble your groceries before your arrival in the WOW MART. We do the shopping shortly before you arrive, bring everything to your finca, and stock the fridge, freezer, and pantry. When you arrive, the wine is cold and the milk for tomorrow is already there.

Still looking for the perfect finca? Then take a look at the WOW F!NCAS.

Chillin’ like a millionaire doesn't mean the fridge is full of caviar. It means you didn’t have to fill it yourself.