Ibiza: Sun, Fun - And Fantastic Food To Rave About

Like the weather, beach life - an essential feature in Ibiza’s eclectic culture - is hotting up along its captivating coastline.

The stunning 'Isla Blanca’ (white island) is famous for its golden sands, festivals, outdoor activities and iconic clubs. It is also an acknowledged ‘foodie heaven’ for its wealth of delectable dishes.

Beach bars are plentiful – but gaining a reputation as one of the handful of restaurants overlooking the magnificent Mediterranean requires ingredients which extend beyond the menu.

Marking its fifth birthday this year, the stylish Beachouse Ibiza - located in a quieter stretch of the buzzing Playa d'en Bossa, has worked relentlessly to satiate the appetites of diners, drinkers and dancers under one roof.

One of a family of four hospitality brands dotted across the island, the palm tree fringed restaurant offers informal al fresco food and drinks on the sand dunes. We opted to sit inside the airy and spacious venue as the sunshine shimmered on the turquoise sea.

No stone unturned

Dishing up Mediterranean fare which is simple and rustic is the raison d’etre of the restaurant which is pushing boundaries to deliver excellence in cuisine and service.

Attention to detail is high on this menu. It was impressive how the energetic and charismatic team left no stone unturned - literally - as they meticulously swept the beach and entrances every 15 minutes.

A tempting array of dishes ‘a compartir’ (to share) - span sumptuous seafood including calamari Andaluza with homemade tartare sauce along with Cantabria anchovies with artisan Ibizan bread or Jamon Iberico de Bellota served with toasted bread and tomato. We selected the most succulent Mussels Marinera we’d ever tasted.

In the adage that variety is the spice of life, with 13 salads and starters to choose from, we sampled the beetroot with asparagus, broccoli, shallots, hazelnut, vinaigrette, salty ricotta and pistachios - a very good choice.

Our solicitous waiter recommended the blue lobster which superlatives cannot do justice to. Sublimely succulent, it was baked to perfection in a charcoal oven and truly outstanding.

Dazzling deserts include poached peach with yogurt, ice cream matcha cheesecake with goji berries and lemon or blood orange sorbet with vodka or Cointreau. Vibrant and refreshing, our luxurious fruit salad featured exotic dragon fruit and star fruit.

Fresh juices, bespoke cocktails with imaginative names including ‘Bossa Breeze’ (gin based), ‘El Tournado’ (bacardi based) and an intriguing copper served Mandala concoction comprising Absolut Elyx, peach liqueur, passion fruit, vainilla syrup, lemon juice and Perrier Jouet are accompanied by an expertly selected wine list.

We finished with ‘Hierbas Ibenicas’, a traditional liquor flavoured with herbs including fennel, aniseed, juniper berries and thyme which is mellow, perfect over ice and aids digestion.

Championing sustainability

Promoting a holistic approach to guest’s well-being and comfort; a typical day shapes up with free yoga sessions on the beach. Participants can make a donation to local charities who are dedicated to keeping the beach and sea clean. Aligned with this ethos, a one euro donation for the Ibiza Preservation Fund, which promotes sustainable land and sea projects, is added to every bill. Those not keen to contribute can easily opt out.
Top teamwork

General manager Alex Villena, whose two decades of sector expertise include roles with high-profile brands in Barcelona, London and Edinburgh, says: “We have set ourselves apart in many aspects including our enviable location, our ethos of promoting health and wellbeing - and our work to help preserve our natural surroundings.

“Instead of working with brands, we source everything we can locally; support local supply partners and push boundaries with organic products. We’re proud of creating a real community made up of our partners, our staff who we regard as our family and invest substantially in their training along with our local communities and visitors from Europe and the US.”

DJs are a permanent (though not obtrusive during our lunch) fixture of the Beachouse whose family-friendly philosophy is reflected in its cute little beachouse for children. Open daily from 9.30am-6pm, facilities include face painting and games.

A gentle word of warning - a return from the restroom could be delayed by the restaurant’s on-site and very chic boutique with artisan accessories!

New events keep energy and expectation high with open tables for community-dining taking place the first Saturday of every month from 8pm to midnight. (Check the website for details https://www.mikasaibiza.com/)
Room with a view

Fellow hospitality venues in the group - which shares a quest to deliver memorable cuisine, great accommodation, the best artisan coffee and a top class customer experience is the adults-only Mikasa Boutique Hotel.

With a lovely terrace boasting panoramic views of Ibiza’s historic old town, Dalt Vila, dining outside to enjoy the delicious and nutritious breakfast which, along with lunch can be ordered from 8am-7pm, is highly recommended.

From 8pm-midnght the Mikasa serves a ‘Levantine Eastern Mediterranean’ designed to evoke the ambiance of bustling medinas with dishes such as mezze tasting, spinach and Greek salad starters and mains including ribeye skewers and octopus durum.

Perfectly placed for exploring the island, the theme of the 16 bespoke rooms is influenced by the seasons and moons. Just 11 kilometres from the airport, the hotel is only a 5 minute walk to Talamanca beach and to Botofoch Marina - where small boats ferry tourists and visitors to Dalt Vila for €5 return.

Historic heritage

Listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1999, Dalt Vila’s attractions include the Cathedral de Eivissa, the picturesque Church of Sant Domingo and the magnificent battlement walls with sensational views over the harbour, marina and Ibiza’s main town.

Encapsulating 3,000 years of Ibizan history, the old town links past and the present via a labyrinth of narrow passageways adorned with beautiful bougainvillea and cobbled streets peppered with cafes, boutiques, antique and jewellery shops.

Mediterranean charm

The group’s third dining venue, Finca la Plaza, is located in the centuries old picture postcard village of Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera in the heart of the island’s agricultural heritage where fruit trees are abundant.

The main square, where the whitewashed Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera church is the centrepiece, bustles with bars, restaurants and shops.

Also known as the beating heart of Ibiza, the village exudes a bohemian air following an influx of European artists, sculptors and musicians whose work and presence contributes to its cosmopolitan ambiance.
Fairytale garden

The first hint that the Finca’s is a dining destination with a difference is revealed in the enigmatic website message: ‘From the church, follow the North Star until the bushes filled with fireflies. The garden door will draw you in.’
Enchanting with candlelit tables conducive for relaxation and romance, the Finca’s secret garden, transformed from a traditional old ibicenco house, lovingly prepares and serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Firing the imagination

The team, headed by manager Luca Schiavon who originates from Naples, pride themselves on sustaining local culinary traditions.

Producing Spanish, Italian and French dishes Ibizan-style, like the Beachouse the Finca selects high quality ingredients and natural and organic produce - sourced regionally wherever possible.

Soaking in the ambiance, we lingered over scrumptious homemade croquettes and a small plate of sautéed baby squid for starters - both of which are chef’s specialities.

Dining progresses at a luxuriously leisurely pace at La Finca – another plus which enhanced our enjoyment and relaxation. My main course was a succulent wild seabass fillet with tomato, caper, lemon and basil sauce.

Our photographer selected another chef’s speciality – the succulent beef tartare which was perfectly balanced with spices and herbs.

Deserts to die for include a traditional Ibizan Flao, tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream and gianduja chocolate mousse with hazelnut ice cream. A sommelier ensures guests can sit back and switch off in the knowledge they are consuming wines which perfectly complement their fayre.

Luca attributes the venture’s strong reputation to the shared ethos of team members whose diverse cultures and origins contribute to its successful formula.

He says: “We are forward thinking and constantly evolving and challenging ourselves to sustain our creativity and delivery.

“La Finca’s kitchen is regarded as the ‘culinary laboratory’ by the group and a place where we experiment with new flavours while ensuring best practice and quality remain at the fore. This is a formative period for the restaurant and the group and an exciting time to be on board.”

The authenticity and allure of this beautiful island is breathtaking and addictive.

Combining potent ingredients, Ibiza’s bright white sky exudes energy and a sense of wellbeing and its multi-faceted landscapes cast a magical spell over visitors of all age groups.

We were blown over by the hospitality, passion and commitment of our hosts to give their guests an insight into the islands heart and soul as well as its cuisine – the ultimate recipe for sustained success.

Key facts

Beachouse Ibiza https://www.beachouseibiza.com/
Address: Playa D’en Bossa S/N 07817 San Jordi, Ibiza
Tel: +34 971 396 858
Email: Reservations@beachouseibiza.com
Open every day - Breakfast 10am-12.30pm, lunch from 1pm, mains from €24

Mikasa Boutique Hotel https://www.mikasaibiza.com/
Address: Calle Ibosim, 11, 07800 Eivissa

Tel: 971 317 922

Email: booking@mikasaibiza.com
Breakfast and lunch 8am-7pm, dinner 8pm-midnight
For restaurant bookings call the above number or book online, mains from €21

Finca La Plaza https://www.fincalaplaza.com/about-us/
Address: Plaza de la Iglesia n 5, 07814 Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza, Spain
Email: rservations@finacalaplaza.com
Tel: +34 871 718 060‬
Open Tuesday to Sunday 19.30-23.30, mains from €22

Massa Coffee Ibiza
Address: Paseo Juan Carlos I, 39, 07800 Ibiza, Islas Baleares
Email: info@massaibiza.com