Whether you’re planning an end-of-summer getaway or want to visit the island outside of the peak season, you're bound to ask yourself: What should I eat in Ibiza? Where can I taste the typical dishes of the island? Or which beach bars remain open in October? This post will answer your questions and many other questions to make sure your holiday in Ibiza tastes absolutely delicious.
Because there’s no doubt that one of the greatest appeals of Ibiza is its food, its vast range of restaurants, from traditional restaurants that keep the good old flavours alive to exciting modern cuisine that tickles travellers and locals’ curiosity. But also, if you're travelling to the island in early autumn, the island temperatures will be pleasantly mild for sun-drenched lunches by the sea and dinner under the stars. Let’s whet your appetite: The journey through Ibiza’s food begins!
What to eat in Ibiza?
Ibiza’s gastronomy is based on the Mediterranean diet, which means it’s based on ingredients that came directly from the sea, fields and small farms on the island. Besides its rice dishes and grilled or baked fish, which are usually the stars of the traditional restaurants, it’s worth looking out for other dishes that have always had a place in Ibiza’s old recipe books.
Typical Ibizan dishes that you should try
Here’s a brief description of the main local specialities that you should taste during your holidays in Ibiza. Then, when you go to a restaurant, you’ll be able to choose a dish you know will be full of the good old flavours.
Bullit de peix: this fish dish is made with rock fish, potatoes and other ingredients, followed by rice made with fish stock. If you’d like to know more about one of the classics of the island, check out our post Bullit de peix: what is it and where to eat it.
Sofrit pagès: a hearty country dish made with lamb and chicken, potatoes and the two most typical sausage varieties on the island: sobrassada and butifarró. This is great for a clouded day or when it the weather is chillier.
Frita de pulpo: October is the best time to eat octopus in Ibiza as the summer ban on fishing octopus comes to an end. In this typical dish, the octopus is stir-fried with vegetables and chips.
Guisat de peix: another fish dish that consists of a soupy stew made with rock fish, potatoes, sautéed vegetables and ground almonds, parsley, garlic and a spicy red pepper called ñora.
Crostes salad: a typical dish of Ibiza and Formentera that was at first made with dried fish and payés bread baked in the oven to draw out any remaining moisture (called crostes). Nowadays it’s also made with tomato, onion or garlic.
Borrida de ratjada: traditional fish stew made with skate (or ratjada) and ground almonds and vegetables.
Arroz de matanzas: this traditional speciality, usually made in the early winter days, was always prepared on pig slaughter day, which is why its main ingredient is pork along with chanterelles and rice. The frita de porc was also cooked on this labour-intensive day with lean pork meat, pork liver, chanterelles, peppers and garlic.
Flaó: you must try this typical Ibizan cheesecake made with mint, no matter how weird this mix may seem. Expect to be pleasantly surprised!
Greixonera: a delicious pudding made with leftover ensaimada pastries.
Where to eat Ibiza’s traditional food
In Es Canar and its surrounding area, you’ll find traditional restaurants serving Ibiza’s typical food, like Can Caus, Ca Na Ribes, Can Pep Salvador, Can Pagès, sa Trenka or Restaurante Martina. And not far from Es Canar, still within the municipality of Santa Eularia des Riu, you can try local specialities at Pou des Lleo, El Bigotes and Can Caus.
Other restaurants serving typical Ibizan recipes all year round –except for the month they close for holidays– are Ca n’Alfredo, in the city of Ibiza; S’Espartar, Sa Caleta and Es Rebost de Can Prats and Es Ventall, both in Sant Antoni.
Where to eat fresh fish in Ibiza?
Fish, there’s no other ingredient that best embodies Ibiza’s relationship with the Mediterranean sea. The island’s fish recipes have turned into some of the most popular dishes but you can also enjoy in-season fish prepared simply: grilled or baked. Read our post on Ibiza’s different types of fish and when to eat them, how to know which restaurants source their fish from Ibiza’s fishing guilds and how to spot the seal that identifies the fish that comes from those guilds.
Tips to enjoy Ibiza’s food
- Remember to check restaurants’ opening days and if it’s a very popular one, it's best to book in advance.
- Choose the older family-owned restaurants, as that’s where you’ll find traditional food.
- At the end of the summer, some of the restaurants that aren’t on the seafront will start serving the typical Spanish day’s menu, which is a set-price menu including a starter, main course and dessert, with several stews and specialities to choose from.
- At Ibizan restaurants you’ll usually be offered some bread with all i oli (garlic mayonnaise), which is an appetiser they usually charge for but in some establishments it’s a sin not to have it, like in Es Pou des Lleó, Es Pins, Es Rebost de Can Prats or Can Pujol.
- Autumn brings back the food fairs and events devoted to the island’s typical products and dishes: don’t forget to check the Ibiza Travel calendar to visit these events and taste local specialities in a festive atmosphere.
- And remember that the island offers much more than traditional Ibizan dishes. We encourage you to also try creative, modern proposals served at restaurants like Es Ventall, Cana Sofía, Oleoteca Ses Escoles or can Berri Vell, among others.
Shall we help you discover Ibiza’s cuisine?
Hotel Anfora is the perfect base to branch out and explore Ibiza’s food as we’re in Es Canar, only a few miles from the town of Santa Eularia which is known for all its wide range of restaurants. Also, our four-star hotel loves to take care of its food proposal, from breakfast to dinner, with easy options to eat by the pool and more elaborate Mediterranean and international dishes including an assortment of fusion recipes.
Book today your room or suite by phone,
See you soon!
Main pciture: Sofrit pagès. Picture: visitsantaeulalia.com
