What are the best restaurants in Ibiza?
Away from the clubs, Ibiza's fine dining scene stretches from town to beach. Here's our pick of the best...
Words: Oliver R
Ibiza is better known for the sweaty hedonism of its nightclubs, but the Balearic island has quietly and confidently established itself as a hotbed for fine dining. Here, The Gentleman’s Journal shares five of its favourite Ibiza eateries, so you’re covered for your holiday.
Peyotito is a suitably stylish addition to Ibiza’s glittering restaurant scene. The self-styled ‘modern Mexican’ restaurant serves up expertly cut crudo, to-die-for tacos and quality quesadilla – staples of a Latin American restaurant that first made its name in Notting Hill before branching out to high-end hotspots Mayfair and Dubai. Its new home in Ibiza is at the foot of the island’s Nobu Hotel – a beacon of moneyed sophistication and a magnet to Ibiza’s beautiful people.
Dish to order: Try the octopus with Mexican salsa and a homemade clamato marinade.
The best table: Anywhere on the expansive terrace – perfect for people watching.
When to visit: Book a table for 9pm on a Thursday evening for a stylish start to your long weekend.
Ibiza restaurant Cotton has only been on the scene for three seasons, but the beach club, which sports not one but two restaurants (Fay and The Grand Terrace) and its own private beach, has quickly become an institution on the white island. Fay, Cotton’s Asian fusion restaurant, is imbued in pristine white – from the shiny decking underfoot, to the billowing sails overhead.
The menu is far more colourful, fizzing with the finest fare from across the Asian continent, while also offering signature dishes such as the bluefin tuna – a favourite of those immune to the shock of a sizeable bill at the end of the meal.
Dish to order: Take a breath and dive in for the bluefin tuna – worth every Euro.
The best table: Book in advance for a table with the best sea view.
When to visit: Take a long lunch, followed by cocktails at the bar.
While many of Ibiza’s best restaurants entice by way of spice and style imported from the Orient and Americas, La Paloma stays faithful to its Mediterranean setting. The rustic restaurant offers a menu rich with handmade pasta dishes, magnificent mozzarella, charcuterie imported from Tuscany, tenderly grilled meats, and plentiful vegan options.
The vibe here is bohemian and family friendly, and offers a welcome change for anyone in search of something a little different to Ibiza’s ever-growing list of sleek, chic and achingly self-conscious restaurant offerings.
Dish to order: The solomillo steak fillet with a balsamic and thyme sauce.
The best table: Out on the terrace, with views of the garden and in earshot of the windchimes.
When to visit: Late spring, to sit al fresco in cooler climes and to enjoy the best of the seasonal menu.
Although it is less than an hour’s drive from San Antonio, Ibiza restaurant Café Giri feels a world away from the bright lights and bedlam of the island’s super clubs. Set in the gorgeous village of San Juan (think whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled streets, Giri Café specialises in seasonal, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, served in a rustic-chic interior that is very much in keeping with parent hotel Giri Residence.
However, if given the choice, take a table beneath the verdant canopy of the garden’s magnolia trees – a perfect finish to your day in the island’s idyllic north.
Dish to order: The boletus mushroom croquettes with idiazábal cheese and hazelnut yoghurt for starter, followed by the slow-roasted lamb with figs, goat cheese, and orange and mint carpaccio.
The best table: Anywhere in the garden, at the back.
When to visit: Ideal for a Sunday lunch, leaving time for an afternoon stroll in San Juan’s picture-perfect streets.
As the name suggests, Ibiza restaurant Sunset Ashram is a particularly good spot to watch the sun sink into the Mediterranean… drink in hand, and a selection of supremely sliced sushi set before you. But one shouldn’t limit oneself to the Japanese-inspired menu options. Sunset Ashram serves up Mediterranean fare, as well as a ‘Hindu’ menu – something of a rarity in Ibiza’s dining scene.
Dish to order: One of the two tasty thali dishes on offer: lamb or vegetable.
The best table: As close to the beach (for best views of the sunset) as possible.
When to visit: Time your visit for sunset (obviously).
To find out more ahead of your travels, view our full Ibiza travel guide to make your stay more enjoyable.
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