5 Bites Of Ibiza, Spain
Known for its beaches and summer club parties where revelers dance until dawn, the island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea has a multitude of gastronomic experiences that await island-hoppers, clubbers, and backpackers.
Breakfast: At the foot of the citadel in Dalt Vila is Croissant Show. The aptly named bakery sells flaky croissants as well as sumptuous breakfasts of Canard-Duchêne champagne, fresh strawberries, foie gras, and boiled eggs with bread and butter, which can be enjoyed in the café or on the terrace.
Lunch: Once a dilapidated finca (estate), La Paloma is the center of activity in San Lorenzo, a small village in central Ibiza. Situated in a citrus orchard, La Paloma is a family-run restaurant serving Italian fare. While the small menu changes weekly, the mixed salad from La Paloma's vegetable garden and mixed Tuscan antipasti comprised of Tuscan charcuterie and cheeses are constants on the menu. The homemade pasta and breads are a must-try.
Dinner: Located in San Rafael with stunning views of the neighboring church, El Clodenis has been a go-to place for more than 25 years. Set amid 100-year-old olive trees, El Clodenis mixes traditional French-inspired food with Ibizan flavors. The signature dishes are bone-in Pyrénées rib-eye served with parsley butter, french fries, and mixed greens for two, and boneless lamb shoulder slow-roasted for 12 hours with pumpkin and leek purée and grilled almonds. Save room for El Clodenis' "floating island," a Madagascar vanilla custard cream emulsion.
Dinner: Aura Ibiza's enchanted subtropical garden is a place where diners can eat in open-air luxury, drink cocktails, like the classic mojito, under the stars, and then step inside and enjoy the sounds of world-class DJs. The Mediterranean-, Moroccan-, and Moorish-influenced menu emphasizes seasonal and locally sourced food.
Aura Ibiza has introduced two new dishes for the summer clubbing season: an herb-stuffed preserved lemon roast organic chicken that is carved tableside and served with rosemary focaccia and herb and flower salad, and a four-hour slow-cooked pulled pork burger, marinated in lemon, garlic, olive oil, and fennel seed, and served with salt-rubbed crackling and apple and horseradish compote.
Drink: Hidden behind the 300-year-old walls of a restored Ibicenco townhouse in San Juan Village, Giri Café serves lunch, dinner, and cocktails. The ultra-hip restaurant features pastel curtains, Moroccan cushions against stone walls, copper tables, and raw wooden décor. The seasonal Mediterranean menu emphasizes homegrown, organic, and seasonal ingredients with an Ibizan touch. Ingredients are harvested from the on-site gardens or nearby farms as much as possible. Giri Café's signature dish is grilled octopus served on a bed of onion with potatoes confit and green Padrón peppers.