EL BIGOTES The Fish Shack at Cala Mastella is also known as El Bigotes Ibiza, which translates to “The Moustache”, a nod to the proprietor’s distinctive whiskers. El Bigotes will be remembered for sitting at his table every lunchtime while enjoying a flagon of his favourite red wine with his fish and rice. Sadly, he passed away in 2025 at nearly 100. His funeral was massive on the island, with everyone paying their respects. Rest in peace, El Bigotes, and thank you for your i

ASADOR CAN PILOT We returned to Restaurante Asador Can Pilot Ibiza, which has been part of Sant Rafel since 1949, when Joan Ramon Boned built the original Taberna Can Pilot himself. One of the village’s first bars, it became a popular meeting place for locals and, in 1961, even acquired what is remembered as Sant Rafel’s first television. The original bar closed in 1970, and Boned’s son, Joan Ramon Serra, reopened it with his wife, Carmen Ribas, in 1989. What began again as a

I wanted to explore the traditional café bars in Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio) to find out the current cost of a basic breakfast. These establishments are primarily popular with locals, along with a few tourists. We ordered the same food and drinks at each location for comparison. Zumo de naranja recién exprimido (freshly squeezed orange juice). Café con leche (coffee with milk). Tostada con tomate, aceite de oliva con sal (toast with tomato, olive oil and salt). CAFE

RESTAURANTE ES VENTALL Michelin Plate IIO Es Ventall Ibiza is one of our favourite restaurants in Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio): The restaurant has been open for over 35 years. Since 2005, when the younger José Miguel Bonet took over, the traditional dishes have been given a much more inventive twist. However, they still include many of the island’s favourites. These include rice dishes, such as paella, fideuá, arroz a banda, bullit de peix, and fish and seafood. Th

BAR ANITA - CA N’ANNETA UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2026: The centre of Sant Carles around Bar Anita (Ca n’Anneta) is being pedestrianised, so parking immediately outside the bar is no longer available as before. Through traffic is now directed around the village, with parking available outside the pedestrianised centre. Bar Anita in Sant Carles/San Carlos Located in Sant Carles (San Carlos), a tiny village (near Santa Eulària des Riu), next to the Sant Carles de Peralta church, this o

ILLA DES CANAR Replacing the former Mar Bella on this site, this restaurant opened in July 2024. They serve delicious, typical Ibicencan food in an unbeatable location on the beach, with stunning sea views and prices not generally seen on the island for such quality. There is no fancy beach club atmosphere here, as the new owner is a local Ibicencan. Some of the dishes available include, Ensalada de Costas (typical of Formentera, bread crust and dried fish) Humus y parrilla d

RESTAURANT SA CALETA UPDATE 2026 - The beach opposite the restaurant, Es Bol Nou, is now closed for safety reasons. This also applies to the viewing tunnel on the left of the beach. The restaurant is still open. We returned to our old favourite restaurant, Sa Caleta, during a spring trip to Ibiza. On this occasion, we had lunch, which included Almejas Marinera (clams in a fisherman’s style) Endivias, queso azul Roquefort, miel y nueces (Endives, Roquefort blue cheese, honey

HOSTAL RESTAURANTE FONDA POU DES LLEÓ This charming hostal is located in a lovely countryside setting, just 50 meters from the coast and the beautiful coves of Pou des Lleó and Canal d’en Marti, where guests can swim and sunbathe. There is an outside terrace. and an indoor dining room. It features a charming swimming pool, perfect for relaxing with friends and soaking up the sun. It’s perfect if you have young children. This hostal is a few rooms above a traditional local res

RESTAURANT ES XARCU Michelin Plate IIO UPDATED JULY 2026 Es Xarcu has finally returned to the sea. Two years prior, they had to relocate to the village of Es Cubells. Although the menu was excellent and the food was outstanding, the atmosphere just wasn't quite the same. The good news is they have returned to their familiar, beloved location! For more than three decades, Mariano Torres and his wife have been managing this chiringuito, a favourite among numerous b

RESTAURANT CAMI DE BALÀFIA If you fancy something big and meaty in the evening (sorry, vegetarians, but this is probably not for you!), drive up restaurant Road, officially known as Carretera San Joan de Labritja (it’s the second-to-last restaurant on the left, on the stretch of road going to the village of San Joan de Labritja from Eivissa (Ibiza Town). If you count down the kilometres of roadside posts, it is 15.4km. You will find Camí de Balàfia set back from the main road