Looking for fine dining in Ibiza one is spoilt for choice. Hardly the most original opening line for an article on restaurants, but sometimes the truth is that simple. For a small island, (572 sq km), Ibiza sure packs a punch in the fine dining stakes. One of the 4 islands that make up the Balearics (the others being Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera) – There are a range of luxury restaurants in Ibiza to cater for every taste.
Firstly, you must choose where you want to eat – in town, in a village, in a marina, by the beach, in the countryside ……
Then what type of restaurant – trendy, cool, exclusive, beach club, sunset, chill-out, sunset, romantic ……
Finally, what type of food – meat, fish and seafood, sushi, Mediterranean, Asian, Fusion, Italian, French, Spanish – classical or tapas…
Then, and only then, can you make you final choice. And in Ibiza, this will not be easy!
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the historical old town and fortress of Dalt Vila, and its marinas, seems a good place to start.
There is no better way of soaking up the authentic atmosphere of Ibiza than having dinner in the heart of the old town of Dalt Villa. With tables set out on a paved terrace, LA OLIVA, provides an intimate and romantic atmosphere, serves innovative Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian touch, with super and friendly service. Not to be missed if you want to feel the real ambience of Ibiza.
Just across the Talamanca Bay is an amazing offer – 3 restaurants in one! SA PUNTA is well known for its fine dining, amazing views of the bay and of Dalt Vila, and its chic and chill-out vibrations. On the roof are a further two restaurants: PATCHWORK – an incredibly beautiful roof top restaurant and bar with Lebanese cuisine and music from sunset to 3am: GINGER is an Asian food bar – also on the rooftop. All 3 are great places for weddings, events, and ceremonies.
BAMBUDDHA – Carrer de Sant Joan, km 8.5 Santa Eulalia del Rio. A completely different restaurant featuring Mediterranean Asian fusion, Sushi and Thai. The sumptuous chandeliers vie for attention with the erotic artefacts and plush furnishings. As the menu isn’t laid out in the standard “starter, main, dessert” format, best be guided by the waiter when ordering your food to get the most out of dining in this resplendent restaurant.
Remember the old-fashioned open-air cinema? You can enjoy that feeling again in AMANTE IBIZA – watching quality films, eating popcorn and drinking cava, with the sound of the waves lapping below. Nestled into the cliffs above Sol Den Serra Bay, the cuisine is fresh, Spanish or Italian. Available for weddings, corporate events or filming, it would be hard to find a more beautiful spot, with its sister restaurant AIYANNA just a bit further along the coast in Cala Nova.
Looking for something romantic? Then look no further than SA CAPELLA in Sant Antoni de Portmany. Located in the hills behind San Antonio, you can enjoy views of sunset tinged mountains and the twinkling lights of San Antonio below from the lush terrace. An old converted church, which has lovingly been converted, gives a timeless ambience, which complements the cuisine – traditional, yet innovative fish and seafood and Spanish, with just a touch of Thai.
ES TRAGÓN, Sant Antoni de Portmany, is set in a country home in a pine forest overlooking the sea – a peaceful oasis set in nature with beautiful surroundings, lovely terrace, excellent food and service. Simply but tastefully decorated – the food is superb, as is the service, leading to the well-deserved accolade of being the first Michelin star restaurant in Ibiza – nothing more needs to be said about this restaurant!
CAN BERRI VELL is an authentic Ibizan house from the 17th century in Sant Agusti des Vedra, about halfway between Ibiza town and Sant Antoni de Portmany, which makes for breath taking views over the countryside. Eat al fresco on the beautiful understated patio or dine in the equally beautiful inner courtyard with its soft lighting. Mediterranean cuisine with Ibiza roots.
LAS DOS LUNAS – another romantic restaurant with a beautiful garden patio with fabulous tiles and decoration, full of palm trees and overhung with colourful bougainvillea, grape vines and twinkling lights. A varied Mediterranean menu to be enjoyed in a fabulous ambience. Using a lot of home-grown vegetables, even the bread and focaccia are baked fresh daily in the wood fire in a corner of the patio.
Most restaurants these days, regardless of the cuisine they specialise in, can usually provide vegetarian, vegan and gluten free alternatives. Many also offer tasting menus, group menus, private dining rooms, catering for group events such as weddings, ceremonies …….
Some of the restaurants mentioned here close over the winter, so best to check their websites for opening dates.
