My oh my, Ibiza... There are Bazaar folks who swear never, ever to set foot on the party-hippie island. Simply, because of the name it has. And there are Bazaar folk who are only too happy to convince them that - despite its high party content - you can have the perfect holiday there, provided you know where to go. Because if you do, then the Spanish island is a gift where the beaches and coves are beautiful (and sometimes even undiscovered), the food is delicious, where there is only one straight road (nice and easy) and where the atmosphere is just wonderfully laid back, as holidays should be.
Ibiza? So do it, and this is why:
Lamuella Ibiza
Avoiding the party-peeps is best done in the beautiful north of Ibiza. Really good and special dining is done there at the new restaurant Lamuella. Near the village of San Lorenzo you will find restaurant, lifestyle concept and 'art space' Lamuella (one word), a business inspired by the owners' many trips to India - Goa to be precise. Right, Ibiza and Goa, two classic, well-known boho paradises together in one brand-new address. The Israeli-born chef previously cooked at no fewer than six different Michelin-starred restaurants before opening his own turf with Lamuella, including a successful veg restaurant with yoga retreat in India. At Lamuella Ibiza, he cooks lunch, 'in-between' and dinner. At lunch mainly salads and sandwiches, in-between does well for tacos, toast and tortellini, and in the evening all brakes go out. Many dishes are light and vegetarian but fish and meat also pass by.
Sa Caleta
The small beach called Sa Caleta is surrounded by fishermen's cottages and the eponymous restaurant is as simple and cosy as the rest of the area: wooden floor and tables, white rugs and coloured seats in the garden where you sit under the shade of pine trees. On Thursdays, there is live music. Be sure to eat the sardines there or any of the other particularly affordable seafood dishes. Unfortunately long since undiscovered but because nothing has changed for years, it strangely enough still feels like your own unique discovery. And that's clever of the owners.
La Granja
La Granja is the brainchild of the Designhotels.com club. It began as a temporary resort in a picture-perfect, completely self-sufficient farmhouse in over 50 shades of grey, bookable only by members of the group. It hosted yoga and mindfulness retreats, and you can guess that this was a success: a year later, the hotel opened as a members-only resort for the whole season. With - and this is the good news - also the possibility for non-members to book a table in the restaurant. In that case, you sit at the farmer's table where you are served a special (and a particularly tasty) lunch with ingredients from the farm.
Ses Escoles
That name gives it away: restaurant Ses Escoles used to be a school in the village of San Lorenzo. Then came an olive oil factory and shop, and today restaurant Ses Ecoles resides under the same roof. The shop is still there, and so is the olive oil. New are the mouth-watering "cocas": a kind of pizza and a steak to write home about.
Cala Bonita
Cocktails and good Mediterranean food on a small, unknown bay near Ibiza town. An absolute favourite.
Es Torrent
Es Torrent once started as a small snack bar, but grew into an exclusive seafood restaurant and a classic in Ibiza. You eat there under the trees overlooking the sea. Perfection. Pricey, true, but the fresh fish served there is well worth it.
Los Enamorados
For those looking for a sleepover, there is really only one answer: the gorgeous Los Enamorados in the north of Ibiza. Unfortunately invariably fully booked, which is not surprising: the Dutch owners turned their hotel (with restaurant!) into an eclectic ensemble where really everything goes right. Colourful, children and dogs not welcome (oh the peace), just like 'drugs and candy rush addicts'. Near the beach of beautiful (read: the most beautiful part of Ibiza) Portinatx. That name? We can't remember that one either. But go there and we promise: you won't forget this place in a hurry.
Cala d'en Serra
While we're there... This tiny beach near Portinatx: Do. And then don't tell anyone.
La Paloma Restaurant
The purest Ibiza classic is restaurant Paloma. Not going is not really an option. Invariably mega busy for dinner (reservations are a must) but during lunch it is a little quieter.
Ses Boques
is a tiny seafood restaurant in the bay of Es Cubbels in the south-west of the island. The road there is exciting, to say the least, but once you arrive, you will eat the most delicious lobster ever. And, probably also because of the above, the place is lovely and quiet and oh so beautiful.
Macao Café
In the centre of the island, Santa Gertrudis is a sympathetic and unexpectedly, fun, quiet village. Here, in the middle of the town, you'll find delicious Italian food at the Macao Café. Booking is a must although a chance passer-by may get lucky sometimes. True to form. The trees are full of wicker lampshades (with lit lamps, of course) and for a change, your sofa won't break from an evening of fine dining.
Fish Shack
The last is one of those you must have heard of. Via via. Or here. There is no website, the Facebook page is sparse, there is no menu, reservations are not even possible and you sit on plastic chairs. In short, the simple fish restaurant near Talamanca Beach east of Ibiza town is one of those must-see places. You eat the catch of the day from the grill and the selection changes daily. Everything there is delectable, but if there are prawns, get those.