Ibiza’s cuisine is one of the most important features of the island’s cultural heritage. Mediterranean inspiration, tradition, science and art are perfectly combined in the best dishes prepared by some of the island’s most renowned chefs. This hard work and care in the preparation of Ibiza’s cuisine is reflected in the prizes awarded each year by the world’s leading national and international guides, such as the Repsol Guide and the Michelin Guide.
Repsol Guide: The “suns” that light up the best restaurants
The La Gaia restaurant, located in Ibiza Gran Hotel overlooking the sea promenade in the city of Ibiza, has achieved two “suns” for its cuisine thanks to its executive chef Óscar Molina, who offers a perfect combination of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine (Japeruvian) with Ibizan influences. Es Xarcu, a charming “beach bar”, as its owners Mariano Torres and Caridad Cabañero like to call it, also has two “suns”. This establishment is located in the natural cove of the same name and offers the chance to taste authentic fresh fish from the island prepared in the oven with a traditional method and a personal touch. Another restaurant with two “suns” is Can Domo, located in a 16th century farmhouse in the area of Cala Llonga, and surrounded by fourteen hectares of land. Its head chef and owner, Pau Barba, offers haute cuisine using ingredients from his own garden.
This list of “suns” from the Repsol Guide, which has a total of 545 establishments throughout the country, is the result of an assessment system that reflects the overall experience of the customer. In 2020, Es Ventall, a restaurant located in the municipality of Sant Antoni de Portmany, will make its debut with a “sun” in the Repsol Guide. It has become the benchmark establishment in Ibiza’s gastronomy with signature cuisine, led by José Miguel Bonet.
Another of the restaurants in this ranking is Ca n’Alfredo, located on the emblematic Paseo de Vara de Rey in the city of Ibiza, which also has a “sun”. Its menu combines the origins and tradition of the white island. Also in Ibiza city, in the marina Botafoc Ibiza, the Trattoria del Mar restaurant has a “sun” thanks to its wide range of unique dishes with a Neapolitan essence and its excellent homemade pasta.
In the centre of the island, close to the village of Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, you can find the restaurant Can Pau, where the combination of traditional and avant-garde cuisine has earned them a “sun” from the Repsol Guide. The Las Dos Lunas restaurant also has a “sun”, defining its menu as “Italian cuisine open to the world” and having a wood-fired oven where it bakes its delicious bread and focaccia on a daily basis.
Es Tragón, Ibiza’s first ‘Michelin star
Meanwhile, the Es Tragón restaurant, located in the municipality of Sant Antoni de Portmany, received the first Michelin star on the island of Ibiza a few months ago. This establishment serves haute cuisine, defined by its chef Álvaro Sanz as “rogue tradition” cuisine. The restaurant offers authentic dishes combining creativity and avant-garde cuisine with the best raw materials.
The Michelin Guide also has a list of 17 restaurants it recommends visiting on the island of Ibiza, some of which are also included in the selection chosen by the Repsol Guide.
By municipality, in Santa Eulària des Riu there are the restaurants Can Domo, Donde Marian and Miguel, Es Terral and Can Curreu. In Sant Josep de sa Talaia the recommendations of this guide include Es Xarcu, Es Torrent, S’Espartar and Es Boldadó. While in the city of Ibiza it suggests trying the cuisine of Mirador de Dalt Vila, Reart, El Cigarral, Sa Brisa, La Gaia, It and Ca n’Alfredo. Finally, in Sant Joan de Labritja the Michelin guide suggests finishing this particular gastronomic route in Eden by Fran López at the Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena.