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Ibiza
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The 18 Essential Ibiza Restaurants

Where to find crisp focaccia, freshly-caught seafood, and local wood-fired steaks on Spain’s Illa Blanca

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Ibiza
| Photo: Shutterstock

Ibiza’s reputation as a premier destination for unabashed hedonism almost always precedes it, but there is a lot more to the small Balearic island than elite partying. Along with all of its outstanding natural beauty comes a rich fishing tradition and fertile rust-red soil, making the island as excellent a place to eat as it is to frolic. A steadfast group of historic restaurants preserve its classic cuisine, while a spate of buzzy newcomers keep the influx of international revelers well-fed.

With that, behold Eater’s list of the 18 essential restaurants of Ibiza.

Editor’s Note: Eater is not updating international maps at this time given disruptions to global travel during the COVID-19 crisis.

Prices per person
$ = Less than €20 (less than USD $24)
$$ = €20 - €40 (USD $24 to USD $48)
$$$ = €40 - €60 (USD $46 to USD $72)
$$$$ = More than €60 (more than USD $72)

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Es Boldado

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The rock of Es Vedra is said to be one of the most magnetic places on earth, and if you are able to secure a table on the terrace of Es Boldado at sunset, it is certainly one of the most majestic. Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the mystical mount, this long-standing restaurant specializes in large-format seafood dishes to share, such as the excellent guisado de pescado, a rich fish stew that lives up to the spectacular vista. [$$ - $$$]

Es Boldado
Photo: Es Boldado official

Can Domingo Restaurante Italiano

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Hidden away in an idyllic corner of San Josep, chef Giuseppe Vivacqua prepares some of the island’s finest Italian food. Dishes skew Calabrian, but the menu also features nods to regional cuisines across Italy, made with a mix of imported ingredients and organic produce from the restaurant’s own garden. The rotating roster of house-made pastas is always a highlight. [$$]

A pasta dish at Can Domingo
Photo: Can Domingo/Facebook

Eat Is Life

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The healthy food coming out of the open kitchen stems from an ever-changing menu of mix-and-match proteins, whole grains, and vegetables. Try a combination plate of carrot and cabbage with an umeboshi dressing, or polenta with mushrooms and grilled eggplant, topped with tahini-yogurt sauce. Prices are more than palatable, especially for ingredients this good. [$]

Salads spread at Eat Is Life
Photo courtesy Eat Is Life

Bottega il Buco

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A sibling of New York’s famed Il Buco family of restaurants, Ibiza’s Bottega il Buco offers islanders a chance to sample chef Guido Trombettoni’s Roman-style focaccia. Using ancient whole grains from Sicily, the breads are served fresh from the oven and sold by weight. Other offerings include an impeccable selection of salumi and cheeses and a wine list that leans toward natural and biodynamic bottles from Spain, Italy, and Portugal. [$ - $$]

Sardines at Bottega Il Buco
Photo: Bottega Il Buco official

Wild Beets

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Centrally located in the picturesque village of Santa Gertrudis, this vegan venture specializes in health-focused fare with an emphasis on raw food and cold-pressed juice. The creative and nutrition-conscious cuisine is available all day. Try one of the outstanding salads, like the quinoa and hempseed tabbouleh with marinated tempeh, spicy kale, shredded cabbage, and spicy cashew dressing. [$ - $$]

A salad at Wild Beets
Photo courtesy Wild Beets

Nagai Restaurant Ibiza, Sushi & Fusion Cuisine

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For an example of fusion at its best, visit Nagai, where chef Reina effortlessly melds her Japanese heritage with global inspirations. The result is a menu of wholly original and wholly pleasing dishes served alongside an assortment of sushi and creative cocktails. [$$]

Sushi at Nagai
Photo: Nagai/Facebook

Restaurante la Paloma

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In its 14-year history, La Paloma has maintained its position as the island’s most perennially popular restaurant among locals and in-the-know visitors. Part of its popularity can be chalked up to its charming location in an ancient finca (estate) and its surrounding gardens, but it’s the Mediterranean menu, mixed with international influences and impeccably sourced ingredients, that cements its place as one of Ibiza’s most consistently enjoyable dining experiences. The affiliated cafe is open during the day and serves exceptional smoothies, salads, and sandwiches — much of it with Middle Eastern touches. [$$ -$$$]

La Paloma
Photo courtesy La Paloma

Balafia

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The enduring success of this family-owned restaurant can be credited to its simple formula: meats grilled over carob, almond, and olive woods, served with hand-cut fries and a tomato and onion salad that surpasses the sum of its parts. A huge bottle of homemade hierbas, the local herbal digestif, is offered on the house at the end of the meal — a taste of Balafia’s signature hospitality. [$$]

Es Caliu

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Once a generic grill restaurant, Es Caliu has been revived by new owners who prioritize quality. Their passion is evident from the start in the house-made bread and aioli. Thoughtfully sourced meats cooked over wood fire are undoubtedly the stars of the show, but the selection of salads — assembled with ingredients from the onsite garden — are worthy accompaniments. [$$ - $$$]

The garden at Es Caliu
Photo courtesy Es Caliu

Can Guimo

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Tucked away off the main San Juan road, Can Guimo offers an oasis of calm, both indoors and outside on the ramshackle adjoining terrace. The cute cafe prepares fresh delights including quiches, sandwiches, salads, samosas, and cakes, all made in house and often replete with South American flourishes courtesy of the proprietor’s Argentinian and Brazilian heritage. [$]

Breakfastat Can Guimo
Photo: Can Guimo/Facebook

Es Pins

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For a taste of the Ibiza of old, this rustic relic of a restaurant is hard to beat — as are its prices. It offers a range of classic recipes, including an excellent rendition of the hearty sofrit pagès, a subtly spiced, slow-cooked stew of sausage, meat, and potatoes. Be sure to take away a loaf of the famed bread, baked on the premises in the traditional manner and studded with anise seeds. [$]

Cala Xuclar

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It’s worth coming to the intimate cove of Cala Xuclar for a dip in its crystalline waters, but the inlet’s chiringuito (beach shack) only adds to the allure. Share a plate of mixed montaditos (slices of toasted bread) topped with local cheese and jamon iberico to start, and follow it with a platter of grilled local fish. The place is only open for a limited time during the summer months, so check ahead before going. [$$ - $$$]

The view from Cala Xulcar
Photo: Cala Xulcar/Facebook

Restaurante Taco Paco

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For unknown reasons, good Mexican food remains scarce on the island, but this Santa Eulalia stalwart has long been a favorite of locals for its cool interior, reasonable prices, and satisfying burritos and tacos, all best supplemented with several of the bar’s potent margaritas. [$]

The burrito at Taco Paco
Photo: Taco Paco/Facebook

This small store in Santa Eulalia features a bounty of carefully curated global goodness, from pastas and sauces to snacks, teas, and natural wines, mostly sourced from independent, artisanal producers. Pick up some of the impeccable imported pecorino and cured meats from Chianti for the perfect picnic to go. Or enjoy a bite at the counter along with a selection from its extensive range of mezcals. [$ ]

Pizzas at Polen market
Photo: Polen/Facebook

Soul Good

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Though homemade sandwiches like the Serrano ham with caramelized onion, avocado, and tomato are excellent, drinks are the main draw here. Few places on the island offer cocktails created with such skill at these prices, all accompanied by an incredible sea view, an eclectic soundtrack, and smart service. [$]

Soulgood
Photo courtesy Soulgood

Donde Marian y Miguel

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This is a destination best suited to committed carnivores. The impressive selection of steaks is sourced from some of the most famed suppliers in Madrid and Galicia, and everything from the bread to the condiments is made in house. The same attention to detail is palpable in the service, overseen by the restaurant’s affable owner, Miguel. [$$]

A meaty platter at Donde Marian y Miguel
Photo: Donde Marian y Miguel/Facebook

Los Pajaritos

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Ibiza has no shortage of pizza restaurants, but truly good pizza is still a rare thing. Los Pajaritos in Es Canar uses stone-ground organic flour for its naturally fermented dough, which rises for a minimum of 48 hours, resulting in a perfect crust that sits lightly in the stomach. Pizzas are topped simply with locally made mozzarella and quality ingredients sourced from Italy. [$]

A pizza at Los Parajitos
Photo courtesy Los Parajitos

Pou des Lleó

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A Sunday lunch staple for locals, this atmospheric favorite is the perfect place to try the traditional Ibicencan dish of bullit de peix, a fish and potato stew followed by a separate course of rice cooked in the stock. The shared platters of grilled local fish, which vary depending on what the fisherman delivered that morning, are also exceptional. [$$]

Restaurante Pou des Lleó
Photo: Pou des Lleó official

Es Boldado

The rock of Es Vedra is said to be one of the most magnetic places on earth, and if you are able to secure a table on the terrace of Es Boldado at sunset, it is certainly one of the most majestic. Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the mystical mount, this long-standing restaurant specializes in large-format seafood dishes to share, such as the excellent guisado de pescado, a rich fish stew that lives up to the spectacular vista. [$$ - $$$]

Es Boldado
Photo: Es Boldado official

Can Domingo Restaurante Italiano

Hidden away in an idyllic corner of San Josep, chef Giuseppe Vivacqua prepares some of the island’s finest Italian food. Dishes skew Calabrian, but the menu also features nods to regional cuisines across Italy, made with a mix of imported ingredients and organic produce from the restaurant’s own garden. The rotating roster of house-made pastas is always a highlight. [$$]

A pasta dish at Can Domingo
Photo: Can Domingo/Facebook

Eat Is Life

The healthy food coming out of the open kitchen stems from an ever-changing menu of mix-and-match proteins, whole grains, and vegetables. Try a combination plate of carrot and cabbage with an umeboshi dressing, or polenta with mushrooms and grilled eggplant, topped with tahini-yogurt sauce. Prices are more than palatable, especially for ingredients this good. [$]

Salads spread at Eat Is Life
Photo courtesy Eat Is Life

Bottega il Buco

A sibling of New York’s famed Il Buco family of restaurants, Ibiza’s Bottega il Buco offers islanders a chance to sample chef Guido Trombettoni’s Roman-style focaccia. Using ancient whole grains from Sicily, the breads are served fresh from the oven and sold by weight. Other offerings include an impeccable selection of salumi and cheeses and a wine list that leans toward natural and biodynamic bottles from Spain, Italy, and Portugal. [$ - $$]

Sardines at Bottega Il Buco
Photo: Bottega Il Buco official

Wild Beets

Centrally located in the picturesque village of Santa Gertrudis, this vegan venture specializes in health-focused fare with an emphasis on raw food and cold-pressed juice. The creative and nutrition-conscious cuisine is available all day. Try one of the outstanding salads, like the quinoa and hempseed tabbouleh with marinated tempeh, spicy kale, shredded cabbage, and spicy cashew dressing. [$ - $$]

A salad at Wild Beets
Photo courtesy Wild Beets

Nagai Restaurant Ibiza, Sushi & Fusion Cuisine

For an example of fusion at its best, visit Nagai, where chef Reina effortlessly melds her Japanese heritage with global inspirations. The result is a menu of wholly original and wholly pleasing dishes served alongside an assortment of sushi and creative cocktails. [$$]

Sushi at Nagai
Photo: Nagai/Facebook

Restaurante la Paloma

In its 14-year history, La Paloma has maintained its position as the island’s most perennially popular restaurant among locals and in-the-know visitors. Part of its popularity can be chalked up to its charming location in an ancient finca (estate) and its surrounding gardens, but it’s the Mediterranean menu, mixed with international influences and impeccably sourced ingredients, that cements its place as one of Ibiza’s most consistently enjoyable dining experiences. The affiliated cafe is open during the day and serves exceptional smoothies, salads, and sandwiches — much of it with Middle Eastern touches. [$$ -$$$]

La Paloma
Photo courtesy La Paloma

Balafia

The enduring success of this family-owned restaurant can be credited to its simple formula: meats grilled over carob, almond, and olive woods, served with hand-cut fries and a tomato and onion salad that surpasses the sum of its parts. A huge bottle of homemade hierbas, the local herbal digestif, is offered on the house at the end of the meal — a taste of Balafia’s signature hospitality. [$$]

Es Caliu

Once a generic grill restaurant, Es Caliu has been revived by new owners who prioritize quality. Their passion is evident from the start in the house-made bread and aioli. Thoughtfully sourced meats cooked over wood fire are undoubtedly the stars of the show, but the selection of salads — assembled with ingredients from the onsite garden — are worthy accompaniments. [$$ - $$$]

The garden at Es Caliu
Photo courtesy Es Caliu

Can Guimo

Tucked away off the main San Juan road, Can Guimo offers an oasis of calm, both indoors and outside on the ramshackle adjoining terrace. The cute cafe prepares fresh delights including quiches, sandwiches, salads, samosas, and cakes, all made in house and often replete with South American flourishes courtesy of the proprietor’s Argentinian and Brazilian heritage. [$]

Breakfastat Can Guimo
Photo: Can Guimo/Facebook

Es Pins

For a taste of the Ibiza of old, this rustic relic of a restaurant is hard to beat — as are its prices. It offers a range of classic recipes, including an excellent rendition of the hearty sofrit pagès, a subtly spiced, slow-cooked stew of sausage, meat, and potatoes. Be sure to take away a loaf of the famed bread, baked on the premises in the traditional manner and studded with anise seeds. [$]

Cala Xuclar

It’s worth coming to the intimate cove of Cala Xuclar for a dip in its crystalline waters, but the inlet’s chiringuito (beach shack) only adds to the allure. Share a plate of mixed montaditos (slices of toasted bread) topped with local cheese and jamon iberico to start, and follow it with a platter of grilled local fish. The place is only open for a limited time during the summer months, so check ahead before going. [$$ - $$$]

The view from Cala Xulcar
Photo: Cala Xulcar/Facebook

Restaurante Taco Paco

For unknown reasons, good Mexican food remains scarce on the island, but this Santa Eulalia stalwart has long been a favorite of locals for its cool interior, reasonable prices, and satisfying burritos and tacos, all best supplemented with several of the bar’s potent margaritas. [$]

The burrito at Taco Paco
Photo: Taco Paco/Facebook

Polen

This small store in Santa Eulalia features a bounty of carefully curated global goodness, from pastas and sauces to snacks, teas, and natural wines, mostly sourced from independent, artisanal producers. Pick up some of the impeccable imported pecorino and cured meats from Chianti for the perfect picnic to go. Or enjoy a bite at the counter along with a selection from its extensive range of mezcals. [$ ]

Pizzas at Polen market
Photo: Polen/Facebook

Soul Good

Though homemade sandwiches like the Serrano ham with caramelized onion, avocado, and tomato are excellent, drinks are the main draw here. Few places on the island offer cocktails created with such skill at these prices, all accompanied by an incredible sea view, an eclectic soundtrack, and smart service. [$]

Soulgood
Photo courtesy Soulgood

Related Maps

Donde Marian y Miguel

This is a destination best suited to committed carnivores. The impressive selection of steaks is sourced from some of the most famed suppliers in Madrid and Galicia, and everything from the bread to the condiments is made in house. The same attention to detail is palpable in the service, overseen by the restaurant’s affable owner, Miguel. [$$]

A meaty platter at Donde Marian y Miguel
Photo: Donde Marian y Miguel/Facebook

Los Pajaritos

Ibiza has no shortage of pizza restaurants, but truly good pizza is still a rare thing. Los Pajaritos in Es Canar uses stone-ground organic flour for its naturally fermented dough, which rises for a minimum of 48 hours, resulting in a perfect crust that sits lightly in the stomach. Pizzas are topped simply with locally made mozzarella and quality ingredients sourced from Italy. [$]

A pizza at Los Parajitos
Photo courtesy Los Parajitos

Pou des Lleó

A Sunday lunch staple for locals, this atmospheric favorite is the perfect place to try the traditional Ibicencan dish of bullit de peix, a fish and potato stew followed by a separate course of rice cooked in the stock. The shared platters of grilled local fish, which vary depending on what the fisherman delivered that morning, are also exceptional. [$$]

Restaurante Pou des Lleó
Photo: Pou des Lleó official

Related Maps