‘New normality’ equals more Ibiza beach dining

As the island eases into its 2020 summer season, the gastronomy scene is also opening up, with many Ibiza beach restaurants applying a slowly, slowly approach to ensure the absolute safety of their guests. Some were keen to open to residents in the previous ‘Phases’ of our de-escalation plan to come out of lockdown while others have been hedging their bets on when they’ll be able to guarantee their customers the authentic Ibiza experience they’ve come to know and love. In addition to the restaurants we shared in last week’s guide to beach dining, now most of our favourite restaurants have announced their plans to re-open in the coming weeks and some have even opened earlier than planned due to popular demand. So without any further ado, below is a comprehensive guide to opening dates and places to dine with your feet in the sand this summer in Ibiza.

Beachouse Ibiza, Playa d’en Bossa, South East

There’s going to be an all-new energy in Playa d’en Bossa this season without the buzz of the major clubs, however this could be seen as a refreshing change that brings a new type of tourism to one of Ibiza’s most stunning stretches of sand. The atmosphere will be one of laid-back luxury – long days on the beach, luxurious lunches, family friendly places to eat and enjoy – and Beachouse Ibiza will be at the very top of the must-visit list for all of the above. The Ibiza beach restaurant re-opened last weekend and offers something for everyone from 10.30am to 8pm daily. Morning yoga classes on the sand that raise money for ‘Save the Med’ charity, divine breakfasts with a view, luxe lunches, a super cool kids’ club, plus a music program from Thursday to Sunday featuring some of the island’s finest resident DJs – it might be a different Bossa to years gone by, but that doesn’t mean Ibiza’s musical heritage will be lost!

Pura Vida, Playa Niu Blau, East

The beach of Playa Niu Blau is still somewhat of an island secret. It’s a place where you can always find a place to soak up the sun, there’s no trouble parking and the shallow waters are ideal for kids. Completing the perfect beach holiday package is stylish seaside eatery Pura Vida Beach Restaurant – a stunning and stylish place to take respite from the sun for lunch, to spend a whole lazy day on the sun loungers or enjoy sundown cocktails and snacks on the terrace. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm (kitchen from 1pm to 8pm), the gorgeous frontline restaurant offers a special weekday menu for just 19€ per person, in addition to its classic Mediterranean à la carte menu and seafood specialties. Every Saturday, there’s kids’ entertainment, so parents can enjoy a luxe beach day safe in the knowledge their little ones are in good hands. Reservations highly recommended.

Aiyanna Ibiza, Cala Nova, East

There’s just one more sleep until islanders and holidaymakers can dine beneath Ibiza’s most colourful and insta-friendly umbrellas at Aiyanna Ibiza. The stunning Cala Nova beach restaurant reopens on Friday June 26, 2020, after its extended winter hibernation, from 10am until 8pm – with the kitchen open until 6pm. A new cocktail menu, the delicious modern Eastern Mediterranean influenced menu, fresh juices (with a selection available to take-away in environmentally friendly containers), boho-chic and relaxing décor, and those amazing views over the rustic shores of Cala Nova beach make it one of Ibiza’s most in-demand beach restaurants, so advanced booking is now highly recommended due to the limited new capacity.

Atzaró Chiringuito, Cala Nova, East

Cala Nova is one of Ibiza’s most rustic, unspoiled beaches and set within the sand dunes, in pride of place at the centre of the north-eastern beach, is Atzaró Chiringuito – the little sister beach shack to the famed Atzaró Beach restaurant, set higher up on the cliff. Atzaró Chiringuito will open to the public on Wednesday July 1, 2020 (with big sister restaurant due to announce its opening date soon) in line with all the new health and safety regulations we’re getting used to with the ‘new normality’. Open daily from 10am to 6pm, it’s the perfect place for delicious breakfasts, laid-back lunches, fresh juices, healthy salads, and refreshing cocktails – the authentic Ibiza beach life experience, with stunning view of the Mediterranean as your backdrop

Los Enamorados, Portinatx, North West

We’ll admit that Los Enamorados is not technically a beach restaurant, however the way it juts out over the Mediterranean Sea in Portinatx, its incredible island views and the fact that it’s just a mere three-minute walk to the beach gives it enough credence to be included in this list! The in-house dining terrace of this intimate and chic boutique hotel in the far north of Ibiza is open to the public via prior reservation and reopens on Thursday July 2, 2020. This is the kind of place where you can truly feel as if you’ve escaped the world and all its troubles – there’s nothing but peace and love emanating from the walls of this incredibly curated space. The restaurant is inspired by the hotel owners’ love of travelling and international cuisine, reflected in high-end takes on tacos, poke bowls, fresh seafood and other delectable dishes that are easy to share. The perfect place for a post-beach sunset cocktail and dinner.

Amante Ibiza, Sol d’en Serra, East

Set on the secluded cove of Sol d’en Serra on the island’s eastern coastline, the award winning Ibiza beach restaurant Amante Ibiza has been popular with island and international foodies for more than a decade. At long last, the stylish and chic restaurant will reopen on Friday July 3, 2020 for lunch and dinner, offering the perfect place to enjoy a contemporary Spanish and Italian menu with views that are unquestionably some of Ibiza’s finest. With the sparkling turquoise sea stretched out before you, it’s easy to relax into the experience, whether under the bright blue sky or a blanket of stars. Set over three levels, there’s much to see and enjoy at Amante Ibiza, from the comfy beach beds and tables in the sand on the lower level, and the shaded cocktail bar on the mid-level, to the beautiful dining terrace and lounge on the top floor. The venue’s famed yoga mornings on Wednesdays and Saturdays will return from July 8, 2020 – advance booking recommended.

El Chiringuito, Es Cavallet, South East

Without a doubt one of the island’s most iconic beach dining destinations, El Chiringuito on the shores of Es Cavallet has been missed by many, so the announcement of its imminent reopening on Saturday July 4, 2020, was much-welcomed. Whether you’re a lover of the huge daybeds on the sand, enjoy dining family-style at a big table with your nearest and dearest, or are looking for a romantic location for a beach lunch, El Chiringuito has it all. And more, of course, thanks to the world-renowned menu of modern Mediterranean fare, a fun and creative kids’ club and a daily soundtrack by the island’s best resident DJs. The opening date is already booked to capacity, so we recommend reserving fast to ensure you get a table or bed in the coming weeks – the return of this island institution has made has Ibiza lovers around the world very happy indeed.

Nassau Beach Club, Playa d’en Bossa, South East

Another island stalwart, Nassau Beach Club, has been dominating the Playa d’en Bossa beach club scene since it first opened over a decade ago. 2020 looks set to be no different, and the restaurant reopens to the public on Saturday July 4 – an Ibiza twist on Independence Day! Luxurious days are spent sipping on cocktails on the beach, with stunning views across the island of Formentera, before heading into the restaurant for a decadent lunch experience like no other. Nassau Beach Club offers a dual-menu concept, one inspired by the principles of molecular cuisine, and the other taking its cues from a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian flavours and cooking techniques. As the sun goes down, enjoy cocktails in the Nassau lounge and music from the island’s best  selectors. Open daily for lunch and dinner – reservations are essential.

Chambao, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, Talamanca, South East

Set within the five-star luxury resort Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, Chambao brings a sense of Mediterranean authenticity to the sleek surrounds of the hotel. Offering hotel guests and members of the public the opportunity to dine with their feet in the sand beneath swaying palm trees, overlooking the beach of Talamanca and with Ibiza’s coolest kids’ club right next door (within the resort), Chambao re-opens on July 10, 2020. Known for its modern Mediterranean influenced menu, including typical Spanish rice dishes and freshly caught seafood grills, plus hearty and healthy salads and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, most of the ingredients come directly from the best organic farms and fishermen on the island, bringing the true taste of Ibiza to your plate. Open daily for lunch and dinner – reservations recommended.

Cotton Lounge Club, Figueretas, Ibiza town

There’s a new beach restaurant player in town – almost quite literally, as Cotton Lounge Club reopens its doors on the city beach of Figueretas on July 14, 2020. The gorgeous lounge club has operated as a private dining venue in previous years, however due to the limitations placed on its sister beach club venue, Cotton Beach Club (which will remain closed until further notice), a twist of 2020 fate sees it reopen to the public as a day-to-night dining venue, complete with outdoor dining, views to Formentera and a revised cuisine concept. With more details expected to be announced within the coming days, we can tell you that the popular Cotton Weekend Champagne Lunches will be popping up on the south east coast of the island instead of the west – a change is as good as an Ibiza holiday!

A hotspot for healthy living

Revered beach club El Chiringuito caters for both sides of the coin, and while it’s perhaps most well-known for luxurious days spent atop sun loungers and deluxe dinners in its famous restaurant, it also caters for the health conscious with a hearty breakfast menu to kickstart any day with an injection of invigorating goodness. Set amid the sand dunes of Es Cavallet, El Chiringuito has long been a favourite among islanders who go to soak up its relaxed seaside charm. At daybreak, an ethereal stillness characterises the sea and an otherworldly calmness hangs in the air – it’s the ideal spot for easing yourself quietly into the day. Inside embodies a rustic authenticity, with raffia roofing providing shelter from the midday sun and rugged wooden tables complemented by cream cushions and throws – ethnic decoration is also dotted here and there. This aesthetic extends to the beach, where neutral canopies and daybeds blend seamlessly with their sandy surroundings. The overall atmosphere is one of relaxed extravagance; where the quality of the food is matched effortlessly by faultless service and sound-tracked by the hush of waves.

El Chiringuito opens for breakfast at 10am, signalling the start of the ideal Balearic day. It’s well worth arriving early morning to take a blissful walk along Es Cavallet, a long stretch of golden sand with views over to neighbouring Formentera, or taking a stroll to energise yourself post-feast. In keeping with the restaurant’s reputation for exceptional food, the menu offers a variety of options ranging from super healthy to slightly more indulgent, depending on your mood. There are also a sizeable selection of fresh juices and smoothies to contend with, but more on that later. Those with a healthy appetite in the morning can gratify their hunger pangs in several ways. First and foremost, there are the more nutritiously balanced options, like fresh fruit salad with soy yoghurt, almonds and honey, or the Açai Na Tigela, which includes organic açai blended with frozen banana and crunchy homemade granola – a textural dream for the tastebuds. Homemade organic crunch granola is served with yoghurt and fresh strawberries, while the fresh fruit salad is all about whatever is seasonal that day, topped with soy yoghurt, almonds and honey. The Green Brekkie is like the taste of home, with sautéed spinach, zucchini, onion, fresh basil and avocado atop local country bread, and there’s the option to add a poached egg for a protein boost.

Then, there’s an entire section devoted to organic eggs, which thanks to head chef, Jèrome Palayer, are all cooked with typical French flourish. All the classics are available: Benedict, with bacon, spinach and Hollandaise sauce; Royale, with home-smoked salmon, spinach and Hollandaise sauce; and Florentine, which sticks to a spinach and Hollandaise core. The eggs are sourced from a local organic farm, so their natural flavour sings alongside crispy bacon in The Classic, and the Full English, which comes with the usual appendage and El Chiringuito’s own sausages, no less. For a liquid breakfast, look no further than the restaurant’s sensational smoothies. The Morning Bomb is a delectable combination of banana, date, cocoa powder, cinnamon, maca and rice coconut milk, while the Healthy Berry consists of red fruits, goji berries, mango and almond milk. There’s also a standalone menu for freshly-pressed juices for that much-needed vitamin boost in the morning. Try the Power Booster with apple, carrot and ginger for an immediate lift; the Summer Detox with apple, celery, cucumber and lime to cleanse after the night before; or the Super Green with kiwi, spinach, cucumber, mint and apple to charge through the rest of the day.

Regardless of breakfast choice, you can be sure it will be signed, sealed and delivered with the stamp of El Chiringuito quality. This is a restaurant that prides itself on the finest produce, locally sourced and organic where possible, put together with expertise and plated with love. Taking advantage of its simple, generous menu, affordable breakfast prices and chilled setting means you start the day in the best possible way, with the sounds of the sea echoing in the distance as you eat.