Before the clubs and all-night parties garnered global attention, Ibiza had a reputation for something else entirely: salt. The island was one of the largest salt producers in the Mediterranean and would export the stuff by the boatload. The essential seasoning is even the origin of Ibiza’s most famous nickname: the White Island. It would be a shame to leave without picking up a packet of Sal de Ibiza for home.
The island’s balmy climate and rich soils combine to yield figs, olives, peppers, tomatoes and more, while the Mediterranean sea supplies a staggering array of fish that usually lasts just hours out of the ocean before it’s served on the plate. What’s more, table turnover isn’t usually top priority for many of the island’s restaurateurs, so forget about fast food and enjoy lingering a while.
A bonus: Ibiza produces its own wine, growing ganache and monastrell grapes for reds and malvasia for whites. The small scale of production doesn’t allow for mass export, so seize the opportunity to taste local wines while you’re here.
Looking for family-friendly dining, knock-out group dinners or healthy vegetarian fare?
It’s hard to beat this restaurant for location: the views across the Talamanca coastline are simply gorgeous. In the foreground, yachts bob on the water while the Dalt Vila stands in the background. Start with a cocktail or two on the roof terrace before settling in for dinner in the elegant main room. The menu presents global twists on island produce – think red tuna tartare with ginger, edamame and enoki mushrooms or grilled scallops with green mango condiment and shiso mayonnaise. Sunday is family day here and the restaurant hosts kids entertainment such as face-painting, interactive games, a bouncy castle and a trampoline. A children’s menu is specially designed to sate little appetites while adults treat themselves to the grown-up gastro goodies.
Price Range: ££££
Location: Es Puet de Talamanca, 07819 Talamanca, Ibiza Town
Bookings: Call +34 971 193 424 or use the reservation booking form on their website.
Ice cream is the perfect cure for a mid-afternoon slump and a sure-fire remedy for grumpy children. Which may be just what you need after a long hot day on Formentera Island. Before stepping aboard the ferry back to the mainland, treat your family to a few scoops. This Italian stalwart serves creamy, rich Italian-style gelato. Flavours on offer include the classics (chocolate, lemon, vanilla) as well as the more novel (hazelnut, rum and goats cheese; apple, carrot and lime). Coffee, cakes and juices round out the offerings.
Price Range: £
Location: Calle Santa Maria, 1, Formentera, Ibiza
Bookings: No need to book in advance, but for any special events call +34 971 32 26 06.
Price Range: ££
Location: Avda Cala de Bou 19 Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain
Bookings: Email hello@casitaibiza.com or call +34 667995249 / +34 971341608.
This effortlessly stylish beach bar is proof that family-friendly dining doesn’t have to be naff. Send the kids off to the attended playground around the back and stretch out on a sun lounger in front of the Mediterranean waves. When it comes to eating at Babylon, two options are available: a chiringuito (casual café) or an upscale restaurant. At both, the emphasis is on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, many of which come from their chief supplier: a certified organic livestock farm. Resident DJs man the decks and spin mellow soundtracks late into the evening.
Price Range: £££
Location: Sa Caleta, 20 | Can Sanso, 07840 Santa Eulalia del Rio, Ibiza
Bookings: Email info@babylonbeachbar.com or call +34 971 332 181.
Babylon Beach – Ibiza
Modern Spanish producers top the bill at this wine shop and wine bar, which values great taste over reputation. Or, as they put it, “Wineries that hold quality as a higher priority than marketing”. If, like much of Britain, you’ve been stuck in a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc rut, there’s no better place to drink your way out of it than at Vino & Co. Call into the wine store in Sant Jordi, where they’ll be happy to help you navigate their stock. Alternatively, get acquainted with the selection at the bar, where at least 20 constantly changing wines are available by the glass. Wine-friendly small plates are also offered.
Price Range: ££
Location: Carretera de Sant Antoni – Eivissa, km 1.6, Can Bellotera, 07818 Sant Jordi de ses Salines, Ibiza
Bookings: For special events call +34 971 305 324.
For every hardcore raver testing the limits of their liver in Ibiza, there’s also a detoxing yogi looking for a health food fix. The vegan-friendly menu at Wild Beets was designed with the latter in mind, though the tasty plant-based dishes seem to win over meat eaters too. Wild Beets shun all things animal, and also go the extra mile in the nutrition stakes by offering up a selection of raw, vegetable-centric mains in addition to cooked options. Pair the guilt-free dishes with one of the vitamin-packed fresh juices or a glass of organic wine.
Price Range: £££
Location: 15 Carrer Venda de Llatzèr, 07814 Ibiza
Bookings: Call +34 9 71 19 78 70 or email: info@wildbeets.com
This health-conscious chain has several locations around the island, which means you’ll never be far from an energising smoothie or a nutritious plate of food. They don’t take a hard line on meat – it does feature in several of their dishes – though alternatives like tofu, tempeh, seitan and wholesome salads are much more commonplace. Each different Passion venue provides a different environment: Passion Marina is perfect for a candlelit dinner, Santa Eulalia for a casual bite, while the original outpost in Playa d’en Bossa is the go-to spot for the morning-after-the-night-before breakfast. Passion’s healthier take on the full English is a much-loved hangover buster.
Price Range: ££
Location: Passion Marina – 23 Paseo Juan Carlos Primero, 07800 Ibiza
Passion Santa Eulalia – 13 Juan Tur, 07840 Santa Eulalia
Passion Cafe Playa den Bossa – Avenida Playa den Bossa, 07800 Ibiza
Bookings: For Passion Marina call +34 9 71 31 45 66 for Passion Santa Eulalia call +34 9 71 80 73 23 and for Passion Cafe Playa den Bossa call +34 9 71 30 51 30 or email info@passion-ibiza.com
Few things are more quintessentially Ibicencan than dining at the beach and few beach clubs are more blissful than El Chiringuito. The scene is chic and sophisticated, with a stylish wooden terrace and white daybeds facing out toward the sea, and a seafood-heavy menu. Kids can order from the children’s menu, which features simple homemade options. On the way here, you’ll drive past the salt flats – keep an eye out for the nesting flamingos who can be seen there in late summer.
Price Range: ££££
Location: Playa Es Cavallet, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Spain
Bookings: Book early and enjoy a full day in Es Cavallet – all +34 971395355 or email info@elchiringuitoibiza.com.
This Italian restaurant sits in the rural hills of the inland. Settle in on a table in the cosy dining room in the renovated period farmhouse or if the evening is balmy enough, ask for a seat in the garden, where flowers and decades-old carob trees hang overhead. An a la carte menu offers Italian-style fine dining and is supplemented by a vegetarian and vegan bill of fare. Several of the ingredients used in the kitchen are grown in the restaurant’s own garden.
Price Range: ££££
Location: Carretera Ibiza-San Josè, Km 9,8, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza
Bookings: Email info@candomingoibiza.com or call +34 971 800 184.
Most people go on holiday to escape the mundanity of daily life, so the last place you want to find yourself in Ibiza is waiting in line at the supermarket. Worse still is ending up with poor-quality produce: limp lettuce, tasteless tomatoes and soggy olives don’t make for memorable holiday dinners. A much safer and easier option is to rely on the services of Ibiza Delivers, who will fill the pantry, fridge, freezer and bar with the finest and freshest produce available. Whether it’s just-baked bread, nappies or a bottle of gin you need, they can deliver them direct to your villa door with either next-day-delivery or – for an extra fee – same-day delivery.
Location: Monte Cristo Zona Industrial, San Antonio, 07820
Bookings: Place your order online and if you need any additional help contact their customer service team on members@ibizadelivers.com or +34 971 100 757. Same day delivery are available only by phone order and subject to a €35 delivery charge.
If you’re heading off on a villa holiday to the White Isle, then take this list of top restaurants in Ibiza and tick them off your list – we promise you won’t be disappointed! If you’re still looking for a stylish, chic villa then have a look at our collection, and if you need any help – or just feel spoiled for choice – get in touch with our friendly concierge team!
Alternatively, if you’re enjoying swotting up on Ibiza, then have a look at some of our other jam-packed blogs, from our travel guide to our family-friendly activities.
Guest post by Dakota Murphey When you think of a perfect winter stay, cosy chalets with… Read More
It’s no secret that France is always a hit holiday destination for the whole family.… Read More
There’s more to Menorca than its historic twin cities and mysterious Neolithic monuments. Its 200km-long… Read More
Historical architecture, sandy beaches, plentiful national parks and homegrown wine – it’s not hard to… Read More
Swap snowy slopes for sunlit trails with an escape to the Alps in one of… Read More
Minho is a region in Northern Portugal that has it all: history, culture, natural beauty… Read More
