Let me for a moment tell you a story of the most extraordinary drive and achievement.
On a tiny island, smaller than Greater London and by far more isolated, the people have just 5 short months of a year to totally wow their guests.
Each year, the restaurant owners need to qualify their menu’s, ensure that no-matter what they will get their supplies, train their staff, test the dishes and then finally, open their doors and hope to goodness they’ve got it all very right.
In the face of these challenges, that tiny island, Ibiza, has been the recipient of the award of “Top Ten Restaurants in the World” (awarded to Sa Capella, see below) and according to island jungle drums credited with ‘The best meal I have ever had’ at various venues by various members of different Royal families. Here. In Ibiza.
Our hats off to these amazing venues and the incredible service and indeed cuisine they offer, that for many is the icing on the cake, part of the precious memory that has made Ibiza such a fantastic holiday destination for people from across the World.
At Ibiza Spotlight, we spend every week of the summer (and this year, the winter too) uncovering the best restaurants for you. The venues that have got it right, from staff to cuisine, to ambience to value for money.
This list is of those that really excelled themselves. They are simply the best we have found in the time we have had.
There is about three weeks left before this islands ‘Summer Season’ comes to a spectacular finale for 2013. We’ve been with you every week of this season but now for those of you coming to enjoy the final parties, please do enjoy the best cuisine we have been able to find on the island and may we wish you a fantastic holiday!
For those of you looking to enjoy Ibiza, 2014, bookmark this page – it’s a great starting point for the next year.
VIP (and top points for Romance)
The best VIP experience this year has to be Sa Capella. Located close to San Antonio with over 30 years of excellence under its finely crafted belt, it continues to impress us utterly, year in, year out. With its exquisite setting in a 500 year old church, quality oozes from every napkin, glass and impeccably prepared dish. Absolutely 5 star in every way and wonderfully romantic to boot. Open until Saturday 19th October 2013, reopening mid-april 2014.
A glowing mention also goes out to Restaurant Tropicana, a wonderful beach bar and restaurant on Cala Jondal, offering true class, understated elegance, excellent service and mouth-watering cuisine. Open until November and reopens at the beginning of April 2014.
Sunset
Our recommendation for the best sunset experience goes to...Kumharas! A wonderfully exotic beach bar gracing the bay of San Antonio, Kumharas has it all. Great fusion cuisine, hippy market, spectacular Ibiza sunset, world class entertainment from Dj’s, dancers and musicians, Kumharas is a firm Ibiza Spotlight favourite. We would also specifically like to honour Stephanie, for being the most incredible waiter we have encountered all year! Open until October 14th 2013 and reopens on the last Saturday of April 2014.
Ibiza Magic
Our recommendation for the restaurant that best embodies that often sought after, but rarely achieved Ibiza magic is without a doubt the magnificent Bambuddha. Sitting proudly on the San Juan Road it is always an absolute pleasure to dine there. From the sumptuously exotic surroundings to the gorgeously original MediterrAsian cuisine Bambuddha impresses in every way. Absolutely essential for true lovers of Ibiza. Open until Halloween 2013.
Beach - Cool and Stylish Chill Out
Our recommendation for the best beach restaurant category this year for sheer quality of cuisine and fantastic location is Sands, Playa den Bossa. It’s on the most legendary Ibiza party beach, Carl Cox plays there regularly. Chef Tim Payne is the most passionate and accomplished we found all summer. From the fresh, locally sourced organic produce to the wonderfully friendly staff, Sands is just brilliant. Open until October 8th 2013. Big news for Sands coming next year. Watch this space..!
Great for Kids
Kids (and parents!) just love Hidden Bar. Owners Chris and Amanda have created a fantastic family restaurant just behind the beach in Cala San Vicente. Parents can sip some of best cocktails in the known universe whilst the kids are happily occupied with crazy golf and giant chess. There’s even a quiet reading corner for the quieter ones! Excellent fusion cuisine, great value, super friendly and utterly unpretentious, we say congratulations Hidden Bar! Open Thurs - Sun during September, then Saturdays and Sundays during October. Open until Halloween 2013.
Budget Dining
This one was easy. Without a doubt our favourite budget eatery, the winner is Santa Eulalia’s most fabulous Mel’s Café! Serving hearty plates of genuinely home-cooked British favourites at great prices, Ibiza Spotlight highly recommends Mel’s (you may even have to fight Spotlight staff for a table!) A perennial favourite of the island residents, you know you will experience the taste of home in a warm and friendly environment. Thanks Kate and Lindsay! Don’t ever change! Open until mid-October 2013 and reopens early May 2014.
Entertainment
For truly mesmerizing entertainment, a fantastic beachfront location and great Mediterranean cuisine, the winner is Santa Eulalia’s splendid Somiart. We were impressed with everything this restaurant had to offer, from the passion of its owner, Javier, acrobat extraordinaire and charming host to the unique design of the building and furniture. Delicious fresh Mediterranean cuisine, great cocktails and world-class acrobatic performers blend to create a very special Ibiza experience. Congratulations Somiart!
Surprise
Boutique Hostal Salinas knocked our socks off this summer! We knew it was a great hotel and hosts some legendary parties (watch out for their scandalously decadent Halloween after party) but little did we know it was also home to a fantastic restaurant. Michelin star quality cuisine, wonderfully located in Salinas Nature Reserve and offering some amazing value deals, Boutique Hostal Salinas rocked our world. Look out for their cool, vintage market on Sundays. Open until Halloween 2013 and reopens early April 2014.
And What’s More…
We absolutely had to mention Ibiza’s Hard Rock Cafe. Shortly due to open a new hotel on the island, the Hard Rock Cafe are organizing a free, public rock concert for residents of the island. The event, which takes place on Thursday 26th September at 20.00 in the Parque Reina Sofia, Ibiza Town, features two internationally-acclaimed bands, Dover and Macao. It promises to be unforgettable night out.
We also asked our Clubbing Team where they went that they would like to tip their hat to and this is their recommendation for when they are out and about
"If we're really short on cash (which is mostly the case!), we're going to Los Pasajeros in the port of Ibiza Town. Every now and then we will go for a nice meal though and this could happen at Tentazione up in Dalt Vila"
Psst - Pasajeros is also in Marina Botafoch with a large terrace - right next to Scuba Diving Center - same menu, same prices!
Bon Appetit!
Photo Credits
Bambuddha Image: Tamas Kooning Lansbergen
Hidden Bar Image: Hidden Bar
All other Images: Cat Milton, Ibiza Spotlight
