There’s a really lovely gastronomical culture developing fast in Ibiza; sustainable food including fresh cheese, seasonal vegetables and local meat has become more in demand than over-processed meals and we’re all for it.
When you’ve been dancing and drinking alcohol from day to night, you’d totally be forgiven for heading to a fast food joint, but when possible, food that has been seasonally grown and locally sourced is best. So when you’re exploring the island, head to one of these restaurants for delicious local delights!
El Portalon
El Portalon is brought to you by Anne Sijmonsbergen, the author and Chef fronting the artisan food scene here in Ibiza. Tucked inside the old city walls of Ibiza Town, in a building owned by an Austrian princess, El Portalon only seats up to 40 in its courtyard, but the food is worth the wait. The seasonally-focused menu is inspired by produce from Anne’s organic farm, and her friends’. Make sure you get the homemade focaccia and alioli to start.
Aubergine
The clue’s in the name. The setting for this farm-to-table restaurant is a rural-chic ranch with a huge terrace and a garden to grow all of the hearty produce. The menu will leave you in awe: who knew you could be so creative with a vegetable? There’s Turkish aubergine stuffed with beef, lamb and other meat for mains and aubergine cheesecake for dessert. The wine’s organic and the water is purified on-site – it doesn’t get much fresher than this.
Can Tixedo Ar Café
Here in our beloved San Antonio, you’ll find somewhere lesser known: Can Tixedo Ar Café. Half cafe, half art gallery, this local hotspot comes with ever-changing art exhibitions, regular live music and tantalising tapas. Expect simple food at its absolute best.
Wild Beets
Wild Beets in Santa Gertrudis serves plant-based delicacies all year round.
Don’t be fooled by the lack of meat – there’s flavour and density aplenty. Everything on the menu, from the cold-pressed juices right down to the ketchup, is homemade with love. Choose from an array of colourful juices and don’t miss the organic wine and beer list either.
Locals Only
Don’t let the name of this place fool you – all are welcome here. The owner, Tito Piazza, grew up on Italian traditions of hospitality so he knows how to make you feel at home.
Locals Only fuses Mediterranean and Italian influences. The emphasis is on organic produce of course, particularly fish, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and the wine list is majority Spanish, a little French and a little Italian. As a sign of respect to the island, there’s a strong effort with recycling.
La Granja
La Granja has a quintessential Ibicencan vibe to it. This finca (ranch) is all about the Mediterranean diet. The menu offers dishes likes garlic grilled chicken and baked kobocha falafel with almond milk yoghurt, for the vegans. La Granja aims to preserve the natural beauty of the island through local initiatives and programs supporting organic farming. Here, among the heady scents of ficus and figs, lies the real Ibiza.
Elements Ibiza
Elements Ibiza is more than just a restaurant – it’s an ambient experience. Enjoy food as natural as the elements themselves, from a carefully curated Mediterranean menu with well made fish, flavoursome salads, mouthwatering cocktails and more. There’s yoga and a DJ on the decks, a massage room, a boutique and of course the infamous drum beat dance at sunset on Sundays.
Los Enamorados
Escape the crowd and head north of the island, to characterful hotel Los Enamorados (which means “in love”). The restaurant is set in the romantic harbour of Portinatx where you can share freshly caught fish from local fisherman, drink juice through bamboo straws and ruminate over the setting sun. There’s also a boutique for treasure-seekers.
