Ibiza might have a decades-strong reputation as the Med’s favourite party, but in recent years it’s been quietly building another one for its emerging food scene. These are twelve of Ibiza’s best restaurants for 2023.
As notable chefs make their mark, and new openings gain deserved recognition amongst those that matter, we polished up our knives and forks to find out where to enjoy lazy, languid lunches and drawn-out dinners on Ibiza’s twilight terraces. Loosen your belt, your Balearic summer is about to get a whole lot tastier.
NORTH OF THE ISLAND
Aubergine by Atzaró
Without a doubt, one of Ibiza’s most charming spots, Aubergine by Atzaró sits in the middle of the Ibizan countryside, a tranquil summer garden full of vibrant bougainvillaea and hibiscus, lemon trees and fairy-lit pergolas. Set in a restored ancient finca filled with local art, it’s a must-visit; a magically serene location calling out for a long lunch gently ebbing into evening drinks. With ingredients primarily sourced from the Atzaró group’s 300-hectare organic farm at the nearby Atzaro Agroturismó Hotel (soon to host an open-air garden dinner by Yotem Ottolenghi), the menu is a tribute to Ibiza’s produce, with dishes including richly-flavoured salads and incredible homemade ice creams.
The dish to order: Artichoke flower with tomato sauce, roasted garlic, taleggio cheese cream and sunflower pesto; delicate petals that melt in the mouth, permeated with Mediterranean flavour.
North at Six Senses Ibiza
At the end of a rugged drive to the northern tip of the island, you’re rewarded with Ibiza’s Six Senses, carved into the rocks and dipping its toe in the crystal Balearic waters. With the resort enshrouded in fragrant gardens, a portfolio of restaurants takes a farm-to-table approach. North, the offering from celebrated chef Eyal Shani, draws flavours from his Israeli heritage while embracing fresh, local ingredients. With a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the infinity pool and views stretching out uninterrupted across the sea, the menu delivers beautifully-dressed vegetables, freshly caught seafood and local meat.
The dish to order: Charred beetroot carpaccio wrapped with white horseradish snow – sweet slivers drenched in a vibrant local olive oil, accompanied with dangerously moreish whipped horseradish cream.
Pamelas at Pikes
Ibiza icon Pikes is as famous for its stories of parties past as for its kitsch – and very on brand this summer – Barbie-pink restaurant resplendent with disco balls, and embedded with the spirit of 1970s bacchanalia. Pamelas is home to a new dinner menu for 2023 – from the kitchen of Lancashire-born Marco Pierre White alumni, Head Chef Tim Payne – with creative dishes including wild sea bass with artichoke purée, wakame, mussels and saffron sauce and asparagus with chicory, pickled mushrooms, avocado salad and truffle dressing, perfect for a late night nibble before retiring to one of the newly refurbished rooms. Meanwhile, and also at Pamelas, Tess Prince’s Love Food Ibiza Brunch menu is the pinnacle of healthy daytime dining, inspired by her worldwide culinary experience.
The dish to order: Grilled goat’s cheese salad with honey, walnuts, orange, radicchio, pomegranate and za’atar vinaigrette – tantalisingly pretty and delivering a sweet, crisp flavour to match.
SOUTH OF THE ISLAND
Gusto by Nieves Barragán Mohacho at Nobu Ibiza Bay
This summer pop-up from the brains behind London’s one Michelin star restaurant, Sabor, sees Nieves Barragán Mohacho returning to her roots with a stunning tapas menu worth forgoing Nobu’s sushi for. Signature dishes include Arroz Caldoso with the local Ibizan red prawns, some of the best croquetas that will ever pass your lips and tortilla with crispy fried artichoke, alongside a pairing of Spanish wines. With views out across Ibiza and the soft beats of the hotel’s DJs accompanying your supper, it’s a treat for all the senses.
The dish to order: Ask for the specials and fresh catch of the day. We tucked into the most incredible melt-in-the-mouth black scorpionfish tempura with black garlic aioli.
Mikasa
A new kid on the block this summer, Mikasa sits at the end of Ibiza town’s marina, a bohemian antidote to some of the somewhat flashier establishments in its vicinity. Founded by passionate vegan Sofija Mehta, this restaurant with rooms offers a total plant-based menu along with 16 distinctly designed bedrooms, each with a name inspired by the seasons and the moon. Prioritising clean, unprocessed ingredients to nourish the body and soul, the menu includes nibbles such as edamame with ginger and fermented lemon, and falafel with pineapple chutney as well as heartier fare like pumpkin ravioli or Peruvian corn salad.
The dish to order: Head down for one of their delicious breakfasts: toast with avocado cream and radish; apple and tahini porridge; or the not-so-naughty quinoa croissants.
Beachouse
Playa d’en Bossa has undoubtedly come a long way over the years, thanks, in part, to places like Beachouse, where seasonal produce from the land and sea is served straight from the wood-fired grill, accompanied by Balearic beats. The restaurant, bar and beach club is an easy all-day hangout and a much more relaxed option than some flashier spots found further down the coast. It’s a seafood haven; with croaker and papaya ceviche, bluefin tuna tartare with mango caviar and red shrimp carpaccio on the menu, it’s tempting to try them all.
The dish to order: Tuna belly ‘chuleton del mar’ from the charcoal grill – chargrilled to perfection on the outside and delicately pink within.
EAST OF THE ISLAND
Aiyanna
At one end of Cala Nova beach lies Aiyanna, from the team behind the island’s Amante restaurant. You can’t miss it, look out for the rainbow-fringed umbrellas. The healthy menu of bold dishes has an Eastern Mediterranean influence, meaning plenty of flavour and dishes in every colour of the rainbow. It’s also home to some pretty stunning interiors. Grab one of the tables looking out to sea and watch the world go by before picking up a little holiday memento from a local designer in its boutique store.
The dish to order: Grilled watermelon glazed in agave with rocket, almonds and Ibicencan goat’s cheese. The fruit is transformed into something unrecognisable and takes on a totally new texture and flavour.
Etxeko
Found within Cala Nova’s BLESS hotel, Etxeko is the work of Martín Berasategui – Spain’s most decorated chef with a mind-boggling 12 Michelin stars (including one here). Headed by Paco Budia, Etxeko works the ancient flavours of San Sebastian with the best products of Cantabria and the Mediterranean to produce an intimate tasting menu. This is one for a special supper.
The dish to order: We don’t want to give away the surprises of this one. You’ll have to find out for yourself.
Aguamadera
Newly opened (mere weeks ago) Aguamadera is an Ibizan dining experience like no other. Situated high up in the hills, shrouded in silence and surrounded by pine forests, it’s a slightly off-road experience to find but worth the bumpy ride. The Agroturismo embraces respect, silence and privacy, with its original property dating from 1888. Rooms are elegantly minimal, food is cooked over a fire in the open kitchen and served on an outdoor terrace – with views across the hillside under the shade of an ancient fig tree. This is stripped back, rustic Ibizan charm with a luxury edge and a truly breathtaking menu to boot, with dishes such as langoustine, rosemary and lime and steak tartare with smoked eel.
The dish to order: Clams with sake, sage and fig leaf: delicate, faintly medicinal, elegant and refined. It’s worth the journey for this alone.
WEST OF THE ISLAND
The View at 7Pines Resort
For one of the best sunsets on the island, head west to The View at 7Pines and dine in sight of the mystical Es Vedrà. Mediterranean meets Nordic in a menu from Executive Chef Andrés Fernández, with a tasting menu that includes sea salad with cuttlefish, razor clam and cockle, a red mullet with carrot and escabeche sauce, and tuna otoro with caviar and avocado. Head downstairs after dinner for a post-prandial cocktail at beach bar The Cone Club where DJs are on hand to help you while away the evening.
The dish to order: Langoustine, bone marrow, sea plankton and Jerusalem artichoke; it shouldn’t work, but it does. Part of the tasting menu, this dish deserves its own main event.
IN THE CENTRE
Finca la Plaza
In a quiet secret-garden courtyard in the quaint village of Santa Gertrudis, Finca La Plaza serves up some of the best dishes on the island. From Datterini tomatoes with preserved lemon to lobster tempura with zucchini flowers and grilled octopus on celeriac purée, this is a menu that celebrates the flora and fauna of Ibiza in every bite, not to mention its beguiling cocktail menu. This is one for a long, lazy supper as the stars set in and the fairy lights start to twinkle.
The dish to order: Bluefin tuna tartare, mango caviar, crispy rice and spicy sauce – an absolute show-stopper of a dish.
House of Wow
This iconic restaurant and events space (formerly just WOW) reopened in June with a kitchen headed up by Ibizencan Chef Cristina Gledson. The food concept is high-level comfort food with a Balearic twist – think Ibicenco squid and confit garlic sauce, beef-topped macaroni cheese and the perfect smash burger – enjoyed in the shadow of its state-of-the-art sound system and a lineup of international DJs.
The dish to order: The warm eggplant salad with tahini and pomegranate: wholesome fuel for a night on the dance floor.
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