I love Ibiza Town.  Having lived in London nearly all my life, it’s where I get my city fix!  It’s not a view shared by every expat resident though, many people I know think it’s too busy and avoid it!

It can be very difficult to park unless you want to pay the high prices of the Es Pratet car park, but there’s free parking next to the IKEA (follow the ‘parking gratuito’ signs), which is a 10 minute walk into town along the port road.

For me, Ibiza Town is the heart of the island and so there are new restaurants popping up all the time, plus others losing favour or closing.  It’s also where the the locals eat day in day out, so there are plenty of reasonably-priced restaurants away from the tourist areas.  Here’s the list of my current (September 2024) favourite restaurants:

Breakfast / Lunch

• Nude Cafe: A great selection of coffees, juices, tostadas (the staple breakfast of Spain) and wraps.  It’s in the off-the-beaten-track barrio of Santa Creu, and prices aren’t crazy.
• Hostal Parque: On the beautiful Plaça del Parc in the shadow of the walls of the Dalt Vila, the breakfast and tapas are delicious and great value for this part of town.
• Es Tap Nou: This is a fruit and veg shop and a cafe, and the locals love it!  Really good value and fresh, local ingredients.
• Croissant Show: Legendary breakfast spot in the old market square (Mercat Vell) at the foot of the ramp to the Dalt Vila.  Sit and watch the world go by and see if you can spot the founder and ex-owner Herve and his magnificent moustache.  Part of the legend of this place is that it’s a favourite haunt of clubbers who head there straight from the club, so in normal times you can either do the same, or marvel at the staying power of the group next to you, drinking brandy at 9 in the morning!
• Mui Mía Café:  A really different place in Ibiza, definitely more like somewhere you would find in a large city… classy interior, amazing range of healthy, artesenal and unique food choices.  More expensive than most places but not too expensive, and worth it!

Dinner

• Kaixo: Kaixo means ‘hello’ in Basque.  Yes, this restaurant is Basque!  And it’s also my absolute number 1 recommendation. Tasty, honest food (they serve the best patatas bravas in the world, in my opinion!), reasonable prices, great service, buzzy atmosphere.  Book a table for around 9pm and feel smug as you watch everyone queuing.  Please tell them that Donna sent you!
• CHIDas Bar + Cantina: Mexican street food with delicious and complex flavours… we´re not talking texmex!  Very reasonable.  In the cool Santa Creu barrio.  They do a mean margarita (of course!)
• L´Apero:  French restaurant in the lanes behind the Pacha shop.  A great place to people watch but also the food and service are way above your standard Ibiza restaurant.  There are options to suit all budgets.   Great cocktails.
• Sa Vida: Also in the Santa Creu Barrio.  Great tapas, very popular with the locals.
• Es Mercat: A little off the beaten track but worth the walk.  Try to order from their daily specials rather than the standard menu.  Very popular with locals, reasonable prices, fresh ingredients and GREAT COCKTAILS!
• La Bodega: More of a tourist spot than the others but nevertheless the prices, cool interior, lively atmosphere and fabulous cocktails mean it’s also a favourite with the locals.  It’s at the foot of the ramp up to the Dalt Vila, so it’s a beautiful setting.  Hopefully your waiter will be the wonderful Manolo… another great moustache to check out!
• Taller Sa Penya: Owned by Boris (Danish ex-Noma chef) and his wife Vanessa, this place is very special and it’s unique in Ibiza.  It’s in an ancient building in the ‘gypsy’ district of Sa Penya, where there are no other commercial establishments.  Everything is locally sourced and created with love, and you see it being prepared and cooked in the open kitchen.  Their belief is “nourishment comes from more than just nutrients and can essentially be achieved through dining with loved ones” (hear hear!).  They offer a tasting menu at €135 or there are a la carte options too.  Highly recommended if you’re looking for a treat.