Colonial class

Located in one of the island’s oldest houses, originally built in 1904 and sitting in pride of place overlooking the recently redeveloped port and harbour area, Ibiza restaurant Villa Mercedes is an oasis of style and sophistication in the brash and brazen town that is San Antonio.

The décor is reminiscent of a colonial palace at the turn of the century - lavish furnishings, candle-lit tables and seductive lighting plus an impressive white façade with the modern touch of electric blue windowsills. Opened in 1999, it attracts a stylish, international crowd by day and by night, lured in by the romantic and relaxed atmosphere.

To start, try the baby spinach salad topped with grapes and Chinese oranges, while for mains, we love the fillet steak with blue cheese, nuts and figs served with a beetroot and lima bean cream or the fresh tuna tataki served with vegetable salad, fresh ginger and wasabi.

The Villa Mercedes experience isn’t complete without sampling one of the imaginative cocktails designed exclusively by a Brazilian cocktail king. Our favourite? The super refreshing Mangaca, made with Cachaça, soda water, fresh mint, sugar cane and mango.

Music is just as important for Villa Mercedes as it is for sister bars Café Mambo and Savannah. Relax on chill out lounges to fantastic Flamenco chill from Paco Fernandez, blissful Brazilian beats or live jazz every night of the week.

Updated on August 20, 2011.