Ibiza is well known for being expensive, including the cost to eat out, but actually there are loads of places you can eat for very good value, if you know where to go! And the Menú del Día is often the best value of all! It’s a mid-week, lunchtime meal and normally it’s 3 courses plus bread, and sometimes a drink (beer, wine, soft drink) is included. Often you can swap dessert (‘postre’) for coffee. In Ibiza the prices can range from €12-€18 dependent on where the restaurant is and obviously the quality of the food. Some places offer a Menú all year round & some stop over the summer. It’s traditional not to leave a tip when having a Menú, although as a Brit that just doesn’t feel right!
So here’s my favourite Menús, which I should caveat as being the best places on the east of Ibiza, ‘cos that’s where I live and go out! They are in no particular order except for the first one, Ulivans, which is absolutely my favourite!
- Ulivans, Santa Gertrudis: Traditional Spanish restaurant in a great location directly opposite the church, their Menú is €14.90 for 3 courses, bread and drink. What’s so good about it? In most restaurants you’ll get max. 3 choices per course… in Ulivans it’s about 12! I can recommend the goat’s cheese salad, vegetarian lasagne and banoffee pie. Closed Thursdays but the Menú is also available on Saturdays.
- Es Bon Lloc, Jesús: Refurbished in 2022, this is a wonderful Spanish restaurant where the 3 course Menú of generous portions of ‘casera’ (home-made food) is about €16! It includes bread and a drink and is served with a smile. Note that the drink can be a caña (small beer), soft drink or ´casero´ which is homemade red wine served with soda water (´normal´ wine isn´t included). Not recommended for vegetarians as they don’t necessarily include a vegetarian offering. They also have a dish of the day everyday… Thursday is paella, it´s a huge portion. Get there early as it´s popular!
- Es Cantonet, Ibiza Town: Always busy with locals, the Menú on this busy side street in the heart of town costs around €12 for 3 courses with bread; drinks are extra but cheap. Friday is paella day. Ibicenco-owned and highly recommended.
- Bar Norte, Casas Baratas, outside Ibiza Town: A generous 3 courses + bread + alioli + drink for €13.90! This place is full of workers, which is always a good sign! Friday is paella day. They often include Ibicenco dishes in their menu, for example the dessert greixonera (like a bread pudding).
- Can Carune, near Sant Joan: Open since 1969 but recently refurbished and completely modernised, this place is a really easy spot to meet for lunch ‘cos it’s big and has lots of parking outside. With a Menú for around €15, why wouldn’t you! Includes bread, aioli and olives, I don’t think it includes a drink.
- Bellamar, Talamanca Beach: Sit with your feet in the sand and watch the sea as you enjoy a great Menú, which is around €18 for 3 courses, drinks excluded. Closed Mondays.
- Trattoria del Mar, Botafoch: A waterside table, fabulous views of the Dalt Vila and 3 courses plus garlic focaccia for €25? Yes please! The cost of the wine can bump the price up a bit but it’s still great value.
- Magnus Playa, Figueretes: Overlooking the sea on the now modern and clean promenade of Figueretes, they offer 3 courses for about €18 including bread but excluding a drink (though drink prices are reasonable anyway). Very friendly service.
- Cafetería Pepe, Ibiza Town: On a main road running through Ibiza Town, this place is very popular with locals. The Menú is around €15 for 2 courses with bread and drink plus either dessert or coffee. I can recommend the chickpeas to start but as always in Spain it’s served with a whole lot of pork and is not the vegetarian dish the name suggests!
- Manapany, Ibiza Town: This restaurant is in my favourite place to hang out, the Plaça del Parc. Sit and watch the world go by as you enjoy 3 courses for around €20. The bread (with yummy olive tapenade) is NOT included and nor is a drink, neither of which are particularly cheap, but then you’re sitting in one of the busiest parts of town! They also have a “menu de la noche” for around €30 for 3 courses.
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