My favourite restaurant on the Island - La Paloma Cafe

After a couple of wonderful trips to Ibiza, I thought I’d create a guide of my favourite places to eat on the Island.

When most people think of Ibiza, they think about the parties, the DJs, the glitz and glamour, and the beautiful, blue, clear water. However, there is so much more to Ibiza. There is an incredible wellness and spiritual side to Ibiza, and as a Nutritionist and foodie, I think we need to explore the Ibiza food scene. This side of Ibiza deserves just as much hype as all of the world-renowned clubs! Rooted in Mediterranean seasonal cuisine with a sprinkle of global influence, Ibiza’s plates offer a balance between indulgence and wellness. There’s something for all, whether you have allergies, intolerances, or after colourful plant-based dishes, seafood with a sea view, or a biodynamic farm-to-table experience. And it all tastes SO good!

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is considered one of the healthiest eating patterns in the world, focusing on fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and lean proteins like fish and poultry. Red meat and processed foods are eaten in moderation. This diet is associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. It also emphasizes the joy of sharing meals with loved ones, making it a balanced, delicious, and sustainable lifestyle.

Early evening dinner at Atzaró

Farm-to-Table and organic culture - Aubergine by Atzaró

Something I was most looking forward to seeing and experiencing while in Ibiza was the farm-to-table dishes. Ibiza has a strong connection with its land, with a growing movement toward regenerative agriculture, and many restaurants source ingredients from local organic farms.

Aubergine by Atzaró is a key example of this. Their menu changes with the seasons and includes produce picked straight from their kitchen garden. Eating locally and seasonally not only enhances nutrient content but also supports sustainable farming and reduces carbon footprint.

Selection of wholesome seasonal dishes to share with a ginger kombucha

The setting of the restaurant is beautiful, with tables situated in lush gardens, under pergolas, and within the charming interior of a restored finca.

The dishes on offer are all incredibly wholesome, healthy, and charmingly rustic. The menu caters to a variety of dietary preferences, offering vegetarian, vegan, meat, and fish options, all crafted with seasonal ingredients. My son has a dairy allergy and was able to eat many of the dishes on the menu. The drinks menu offered a selection of fresh juices and kombuchas, perfect for those not drinking alcohol.

La Paloma Café - An enchanted experience

La Paloma is a family-run restaurant set in a picture-perfect orange and lemon tree orchard. You dine alfresco amongst the trees with charming, glittering fairy lights. As if you are eating in the family’s home garden, La Paloma is honestly one of the cutest and coziest places I have eaten. It has such a delightfully welcoming and rustic atmosphere, and the Italian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes are superb!

La Paloma’s picture-perfect dining view

What to Order: When we visited, I had the salt cod fish cakes, which were amazing, and the rack of Lamb. I love how the dishes change following the season and what’s available. Just as they should.

This restaurant is especially good if you have an allergy or an intolerance, as they write on the menu what the dish contains. Taking a lot of stress out of the ordering process.

In my opinion, La Paloma is a must-visit while in Ibiza. Whether you're seeking a peaceful evening in picturesque nature or a culinary adventure, La Paloma delivers on all fronts and more.

Elevated Plates with a view - Amanté Ibiza

Amanté Ibiza is set with the most stunning sea view. A beach club by day and a restaurant by night. It offers delightful Mediterranean “clean” locally sourced plates full of simple and nourishing ingredients. It’s the kind of place where you could have a long, lazy lunch that’s as nourishing as it is picturesque. They also host morning yoga sessions followed by healthy breakfast menus and cinema evenings.

Hibiscus Tequila

We arrived and perched at the bar facing the sunset, enjoying a hibiscus tequila, which I will certainly be recreating now I’m home. The hibiscus is left to infuse the tequila for a minimum of 24 hours. I was thankful I packed flat shoes in my bag as the restaurant is set on the cliff, which can make maneuvering up and down stairs and on the sand in heels a challenge. There were ladies doing it, but it’s not for me. I was especially thankful for the warm blanket they gave, as it is on the beach, it can get chilly in the evening (though we did visit end of May).

Beautifully presented plate of Tuna carpaccio

Upscale dining with conscious choices - The Maine Ibiza

The Maine Ibiza is set in a restored 18th-century villa on a UNESCO World Heritage wetland which produces Ibiza’s prized ancient treasure, the salt flowers. The Maine has a modern approach to dining that showcases the simplicity and freshness of the produce. Which makes it easy to enjoy a luxurious meal without compromising your health goals. The plates were definitely wholesome, and the waiters were eager to share the ingredients with me so I could recreate them at our next dinner party. Almost three weeks on, and my husband is still asking when we are going to make the whipped fetta for our next dinner party. The scallops were in batter that was filled with a sauce almost like Marie Rose- sublime!

I honestly wish I had taken more photos on the night. The sunset through the big white gates onto the land in front, with the hills in the background, was breathtaking. However, in all honesty, I was having too much of a good time and a lovely night! The hibiscus tequilas were 10/10. The ambiance and the service are spot on. The only thing I will say is, as it is set in a wetland (with flamingos during the day!) the mosquitoes were out. I got bitten a few times, so something to be aware of.

View from our daybed at Atzaró

Atzaró Beach Club - Organic oceanfront

What’s fabulous about Ibiza is how some of the beach clubs have evolved into wellness destinations in their own right. Atzaró is from the same family as Aubergine, and has a menu that focuses on organic, locally-sourced ingredients. You’ll find colourful salads, grilled fish, and healthy tapas that don’t leave you feeling weighed down. Pair that with natural juices or a glass of biodynamic wine, and you’ve got a beach day that truly feeds your body and spirit. We went around lunchtime and enjoyed tapas on our day bed, and finished the evening with a yummy seafood paella. The delicious, bright plates and the sea views are not to be missed. I loved the laid-back boho vibe at the beach club, and the boutique had the most gorgeous clothes, jewellery, and bags. I could’ve spent a fortune in there!

Only in Ibiza would the sandcastle be decorated with flowers

Tiburon Formentera - Beach vibes and fresh seafood

I recommend making the short boat trip to Formentera. We hired a boat for the day, which stopped at Formentera for lunch. Tiburon restaurant (meaning Shark in Spanish) sent a little tender boat to collect us and bring us to shore, which was a great fun experience. Tiburon offers another opportunity to eat very well by the sea. Their menu is Mediterranean-inspired with copious, simple, fresh seafood, think anchovies and prawns in garlic and olive oil, vibrant salads, fresh juices, and crisp white wine under the shade of pines. The best bit was enjoying it all, minus shoes, and being barefoot in the sand. Heaven.

View from Tiburon and the little tender boat

Sa Cova - A hidden gem in Ibiza Old Town

We had a delightful evening tucked up in the back streets of Ibiza Old Town at Sa Cova. The menu offers a Mediterranean-French fusion with elegant touches. Featuring dishes like kimchi scallops, vegetable-forward mains, and perfectly portioned desserts. Dining here is about savouring the moment and the craftsmanship of the dishes, something I always encourage from a mindful eating standpoint.

This dish should win awards - kimchi scallops

There were so many other restaurants we visited that were great. The Beach House is also well worth a trip. We also ate at our hotel restaurants, Six Senses, Nobu, and ME. They deserve their own review, especially Six Senses, which was an out-of-this-world experience as a health and wellness lover. The rooftop restaurant at ME offered spectacular seafood, such as razor clams and steaks, if they are your thing.

Cheers to Ibiza.

Ibiza travel edition