IBIZA’S FAMOUS CHIRINGUITOS HAVE STARTED TO OPEN AROUND THE ISLAND. Sunbeds and plastic chairs suddenly appear. Wooden tables are dragged across sand that sat empty all winter, and music quietly drifts across the empty sand out to sea. CLICK HERE TO SEE A FEW OF THE CHIRINGUITOS DOTTED AROUND THE ISLAND And just like that, after months of silence and closed shutters, the chiringuito is open again. Where does the word actually come from, and it’s not Spain; Chiringuitos d

RESTAURANTE CAN RAFALET After a few years away, we returned to Restaurante Can Rafalet, in Es Caló de Sant Agustí, on the Island of Formentera, which boasts some of the most stunning views in the Balearic Islands. The sea is at its fabulous best here, and from our reserved front table, we could see it in all its stunning turquoise glory. When you sit down, you receive a delicious bowl of aioli (rich with garlic) and olives, along with a basket of crusty rolls to scoop up the

CHIRINGUITO SA FERRADURA (EL PIRATA) To find this great little Kiosk and beach, turn left at the sign for the Hacienda Na Xamena Hotel and Spa on the way down to Port de Sant Miquel Road (before you reach the port). At around halfway, you must take the right-hand fork turn and drive for approximately 2 km along a quite testing, bumpy Camino (un-tarmacked road) to arrive at the bay. The kiosk with the pirate flag is situated on the beach and serves good-value basic chiringuito

LA BODEGA DEL CANTINERO Mark Walsh returned to another of his favourite spots in San Pedro de Alcántara, just outside the famous resort of Marbella. La Bodega del Cantinero, often known as “Casa Alberto,” is a modern restaurant with a family-run structure, Alberto manages the front of house and hosts guests, while his wife handles the kitchen. This owner-chef partnership is typical of newer Spanish “personal” restaurants, which contrast with traditional taverns.  La Bodega de

CAN RAMONET  UPDATE APRIL 2026: We believe the restaurant is now owned by Pikes Hotel (just down the road), so prices, opening times, and conditions may have changed, and unfortunately, there have been a few disappointing recent reviews regarding the newer staff. This is a typical roadside café/bar/restaurant you will find when driving inland, looking for tapas in Ibiza. It’s a wonderful spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the island. Just past Pikes, on the route from Sa

BODEGA BAR EL PIMPI We were with Mark Walsh of @walshjewellery in Malaga and popped into this lively bar, located in the historical city centre next to the Alcazaba, which is among Málaga’s most renowned establishments. El Pimpi is featured in virtually every tourist guide imaginable. Even with its popularity as a tourist destination, El Pimpi has preserved the high-quality food that made it renowned. It is reasonably priced. Bodegas Bar El Pimpi is an interesting maze-like

CASA JULIAN In 2025, we revisited this remarkable, easily overlooked little restaurant, now famous on TV, located in the Basque countryside town of Tolosa, which is 28 km inland from San Sebastián. Tolosa is a town and municipality in the  Basque  province of  Gipuzkoa,  northern  Spain . It is situated in the valley of the Oria River, with Casa Julian directly across from it. When you arrive at the restaurant and step inside, you might initially feel like you’re in the wrong

RESTAURANTE CA N’ESMERALDA This restaurant has been in operation for a few years. It is situated in a secluded location, hidden away from the main town area of Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio Abad), near the end of Cala de Bou, overlooking San Antonio Bay. We popped in for a light lunch (do we really have light lunches?) and tried the following. Pan con aioli Papas asadas, alioli, hilos de chile y nuestro ingrediente especial (roasted potatoes, aioli, chilli threads, an

CHIRINGUITO GITANA Chiringuito Gitana was the first to be ready and open its doors among all the new chiringuitos in Formentera from 2024 to 2030. It kicked off the summer season and beach service at Es Arenals in Migjorn, attracting many residents and regular visitors eager to see the new Chiringuito Gitana. Photos Chiringuito Gitana, Formnetera With colourful decor throughout the new beach bar/chiringuito, no detail has been left to chance. From the exterior decor and the s

EL BIGOTES The Fish Shack at Cala Mastella or El Bigotes (The Moustache, this refers to the proprietor’s whiskers!) El Bigotes will be remembered for sitting at his table every lunchtime whilst devouring a flagon of his favourite red wine. Unfortunately, At nearly 100 he passed away in 2025. It was a massive funeral on the island, with everyone paying their respects. RIP El Bigotes and thank you for your massive contribution to ibicencan gastronomy. There are two sittings: no