The essence of eating

As the global movement towards sustainability gathers force, and the world’s very best chefs embrace foraging, growing and sourcing locally, there is a quiet but very definite food revolution happening in Ibiza, and it’s taking place where you might least expect it. The combination of affordable locales, Insta-obsessed travellers and a discerning clientele in the busy tourist town of San Antonio has created a responsive restaurant scene covering all tastes and dietary requirements, from health food cafes and zero-waste stores to high-end vegan options and locally inspired dining experiences. And at the heart of it all is Villa Mercedes…

Set in the very heart of the recently revamped San Antonio marina, the much-loved restaurant proudly occupies a grand old villa and gardens that were originally built in 1901. Step inside the grand entrance gates and you’ll find a space that honours its past while also looking to the future – Villa Mercedes is an intimate and friendly dining haven with modern tastes in cuisine. From the terrace, you can look out over the bobbing boats of the harbour, while swaying palms and a trickling water fountain evoke a colonial vibe. Traditional formal service has given way to divine sharing plates that celebrate the very essence of eating, with fresh new dishes made with local produce, and tapas plates that incorporate vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options alike. Everyone goes home happy.

Any fun Ibiza evening begins with cocktails, and as befits one of the flagship venues of the renowned Mambo Group, the cocktail menu at Villa Mercedes is up-to-the-minute, impeccably on-trend and guaranteed to get you extra likes on Instagram. Take a seat at the bar and order the Indiana Jones inspired Chilled Monkey Brains, served in a carved-out coconut complete with a monkey-face and topped with iced and dripping strawberry sorbet, or the palate-cleansing Herb Garden, blending gin with fresh sage, oregano, mint and thyme in a natural bamboo jar. If you’re looking for something with a little more bite, the Netflix and Chill comes in a brightly decorated serving box filled with frozen grapefruit, lime and mezcal, topped up with chilli-popcorn to really draw out the tangy flavours.

Discovering and sharing the joy of eating is the main event at Villa Mercedes, and the recently upgraded menu is a delightful exploration of local favourites and flavours. The starters have been created with sharing in mind, and the portions are large enough to split around the table – no food envy in sight. Standouts include the delicate Aubergine tempura, drizzled with local honey and toasted Wasabi sesame seeds – the very definition of finger licking good; an homage to Ibiza’s endangered seagrass, Posidonia, includes octopus, tuna and local red prawns nested around salty samphire, plus crispy calamari prepared in chickpea flour for the gluten-intolerants and served with a spicy home-made tartar sauce. Another indulgent must-try is the steaming dish of garlic prawns, which come with a fried egg cooked in the same sizzling oil with chunks of crusty rustic bread for delicious dunking.

Of course, when a restaurant boasts the kind of heritage that Villa Mercedes is known for, it’s impossible to leave out the classics, and here, the restaurant truly excels. Fabulous Galician fillet steaks and grilled wild seabass are still some of the bestsellers on the menu, served with local patatas Ibicencas, padron peppers and this year with a wide and varied choice of sides. From superfood salads or heritage carrots to locally grown green beans, there are plenty of options to add some colour to your plate. The famed Wagyu burger comes with a blend of cheeses to enhance its natural flavours while the grilled octopus has been tenderised to the point of melt-in-your-mouth before being served with purple potato mash. The biggest problem at Villa Mercedes? You’re spoiled for choice.

Catering to consumer demand is key for a restaurant at the top of its game like Villa Mercedes, so when a Valencian paella chef joined the team earlier this year, it was only fitting that some considerations were taken into account. An impressive Lobster paella swiftly made its way onto the menu, served mellow or juicy, in homage to the San Antonio traditional style, and it’s become a hit with island regulars, and born and bred locals alike. At the same time, a vegetarian paella was introduced, meaning no customer need ever feel left out when it comes to ordering. With vegan and vegetarian guests on the increase, the selection of options on the Villa Mercedes menu prove that taste need never be sacrificed when it comes to lifestyle choices.

If there’s room for dessert – and you should definitely try to save some – then favourites such as red berry cheesecake or a classic and tart lemon meringue should satisfy the sweet-toothed among your group. But for a perfectly guilt-free treat, the signature Villa Mercedes Villa Orange simply cannot be missed. A simple fresh orange is peeled and marinated for 24 hours with a hint of cinnamon and a dash of Cointreau, then served chilled with caramelised orange shavings scattered across the top plus a scoop of tangerine sorbet on the side to add some fresh citrus vibes. It sounds (and looks) incredibly sinful, but in fact, it’s refreshingly innocent.

Villa Mercedes is open nightly, with a varied soundtrack created by an ever-changing roster of local DJs and musicians across the week giving you all the more reason to visit. On Thursdays, island legend Paco Fernandez regales diners with his Flamenco guitar, and Saturdays play host to Royal Bliss, as the restaurant offers a four-course pairing menu with live instrumental music. Regular pop-up appearances from DJ Buda and Tony French mean the eclectic range of music on offer is always of the highest quality. In fact, whatever your tastes, whatever your diet, whatever your desires, this is one restaurant that is sure to have exactly what you need on the menu.

Love in a cup

They say money makes the world go round but we all know that without coffee, money is just bits of coloured paper. Java, Joe or jitter juice – it doesn’t matter what you call that morning cup of life, but what does matter is how well it’s made. Sam Swinburn and his team at Meke have been filling the Ibiza breeze with the scent of freshly roasted coffee since 2012, supplying the island’s top cafés and restaurants with quality beans sourced from sustainable and ethical farms across the globe. Now coffee lovers and aficionados alike can stop by the company’s eponymous café in Santa Eulalia to enjoy a freshly brewed cup with an organic snack before grabbing a bag of beans to take home.

Sam first landed in Ibiza in 2003. “I had no expectations,” he says. “I just arrived here and thought it was amazing. I hadn’t experienced that feeling anywhere else.” He made the permanent move from his home in New Zealand in 2010 and after two years searching for a decent coffee, Meke was born from a needs-must basis. “I realised pretty quickly that I couldn’t live here without decent coffee,” he laughs. “So, I had to make it myself.” He sold his house and with the leftover money, bought a one-tonne coffee roaster from Holland. “We had to get a crane to bring it to the warehouse,” he recalls. Alongside his brother, sister and two good friends, Sam built what is now the island’s specialty coffee roaster, and the only one that can guarantee sustainable, ethical and traceable beans as well as a damn fine brew.

Coffee has become so much part of the human experience that it can be easy to forget it comes from a plant. At Meke, everything starts with the bean. Sam sources beans depending on what’s been freshly harvested around the world. Towards the end of the European summer, El Salvador and Guatemalan harvests are available, along with some Kenyan and Dominican Republic strains. Early in the year, it’s time for Colombian and Honduran beans, while the middle of the year is when Peru’s flavours hit the market.

Working with three trusted coffee suppliers who source directly from farms, Sam is able to ensure that all Meke beans have come from sustainable and ethical sources, with around 50% derived from organic plantations. “Making sure there are sustainable practices at origin is equally important to me as organic certification,” Sam explains of the Meke ethos. “Smallholders can’t always afford certification but they still practice organic methods. We’ve met them, we know their processes and philosophy – after that, the important thing is the flavour profile of the coffee.”

Sam visits the farmers whenever possible, having had his first plantation experience in Indonesia in 2008 “Seeing the process of the coffee producers made me realise they are actually artisans,” says Sam. “Drinking a coffee at origin is a completely different experience. You can taste exactly how it is from the tree.” Further trips to meet farmers in Colombia and Brazil are planned for this year. “We’re going to be doing more buying directly, It lets us guarantee the quality of our coffee, consistent supply and close the circle of the bean to cup experience.”

The flagship Meke Café in Santa Eulalia is the final stage of the process where the espresso, latte or cortado you order can be traced back to a single farm or group of farmers. Taking your coffee in a café is surely one of life’s greatest pleasures, but having one at home comes in at a pretty close second place. The team at Meke can advise on the various domestic coffee making options from basic French presses to hi-tech drip filters and single shot espresso machines, not to mention the right takeaway blend to suit your taste. “My main tip for people wanting really good coffee at home is to buy a coffee grinder,” says Sam. “Grinding the whole beans just before you make the coffee changes everything.” And just in case you were wondering, Sam personally prefers drip coffee into a thermos for day to day brewing.

Sitting alongside the arches of the Santa Eulalia town hall, Meke Café occupies a sun-dappled corner where a couple of outside tables allow for excellent people watching over coffee and a light bite to eat. Inside the vibe is urban rustic with wood bar stools upholstered in coffee sacks standing in front of the gleaming espresso machine. A relaxed buzz drifts over the space and the casual friendliness of the barista belies the seriousness with which the coffee is made. Each shot is freshly ground and then loaded into the machine, brewed and weighed before being served in any number of styles. Glass domes house vegetarian sourdough panini, frittatas, cakes, muffins and cookies. For those who don’t drink coffee (who are you?) or if coffee accidentally turns into aperitivo (it happens), there’s also organic artisanal soft drinks, natural wines and craft beers. A further outlet in Palma means you won’t lack a decent caffeine hit when island hopping. Life without coffee is unthinkable but here in Ibiza, life without Meke coffee is unliveable.

The Angel of the night

As Ibiza’s nightlife scene has evolved in recent years, so too have the tastes of those pioneers who paved the way for the island to become the cosmopolitan destination it is today. For many, hedonism has made way for more epicurean pleasures – today, the satisfaction of a great meal enjoyed with good friends and fine wine outweighs those hazy memories of dancing till dawn, through the daytime, and into the night again. That’s not to say the urge to dance and socialise is gone completely – and this is where Laylah Ibiza comes in.

Sleek, chic and still just enough of a locals’ secret to call it underground, Laylah Ibiza is the latest project by restaurateurs Olivia Fleury and Oren Heknin, whose combined experience spans continents, cultures and cuisines that all come together under one stylish roof in the buzzing Marina district. Just a few doors down from the world’s most iconic club, Pacha Ibiza, and with the glitz and glamour of HEART Ibiza just a stone’s throw down the road, Laylah Ibiza’s central location makes it an obvious choice for a pre-party get together, while for the old guard of Ibiza residents, the grown-up feel of the festivities at has filled a much-needed gap for a place for friends to congregate, eat, drink and yes, even dance after dark.

The space itself is a beauty to behold. Industrial architecture and man-made materials are juxtaposed against the raw textures of nature; hand-hewn concrete sits alongside the glint of polished brass, marble is illuminated alongside vintage leather, the sheen of velvet shines beneath palm leaves, dried flowers seem to levitate above high-tech DJ equipment and huge chunks of stone sit beneath an open-air installation of silver planets, glistening beneath the stars and moving with the breeze. There’s a strong feeling of belonging within the walls of Laylah Ibiza – something that is bestowed on each and every person who walks through her doors. Enter a stranger, leave a friend. This is what happens when you frequent the Angel of the Night.

The venue’s name is derived from an Angel in Jewish mythology (Lailah) and the Hebrew word for Night (laylah), and the Middle Eastern influences continue throughout the carefully curated menu by head chef David Frankel – one of Israel’s most extraordinary young culinary talents. A collection of small bites and sharing plates designed to encourage a communal style of dining, the Laylah Ibiza menu promises to take tastebuds on a sensory journey – the way in which we partake our food is as much a part of the experience as the heavenly aromas, rich flavours and fresh ingredients of the Mediterranean.

In keeping with the low-key style of the lounge bar, there are no formal dining tables at Laylah Ibiza; rather, banquette seating that snakes around the terrace and a series of low-slung modular sofas and tables inside that can be configured to suit any group. Platters are laid out in the form of a feast; guests encouraged to pick and mix to suit their tastes. Small plates include oysters with shallots and vinegar, a delicate tuna tartare served with chilli aioli, crispy chicken cigars and veggie rice paper rolls with kimchi. The simplicity of each ingredient shines, subtly complemented by a selection of more complex and exotic flavours served as salsas, dressings and dips, and vegetarians and vegans will find the cuisine thoughtful, creative and satisfying.

Standout sharing plates include the homemade focaccia served with Zaatar, fresh tomato salsa and tahini, the signature roasted cauliflower with tahini and green chili, roasted eggplant with almonds and Greek yoghurt and grilled artichokes with Parmesan. On the lighter side of the Laylah Ibiza menu is a zesty sea bass ceviche, Carabineros (red king prawns) with spicy mayo, Patagonian calamari and more, while heartier appetites will love the herb-infused lamb kebab in pita bread, chicken shawarma and mini veal burgers. Meanwhile, a tempting selection of skewers – white fish with ginger and lime salsa, beef fillet with tomato, sesame and chili salsa, chicken with guacamole and coriander or veggie with balsamic vinaigrette – vie strongly for attention.

The same attention to detail seen on the Laylah Ibiza à la carte menu can also be found in the cocktail menu. A team of creative mixologists have developed a selection of bespoke cocktails for the lounge bar – drawing on the local herbs of Ibiza for homemade tinctures, while putting twists on time-honoured recipes and contemporary classics alike. An impressive wine list is also on offer, with drops hailing from the best vineyards of Spain and France, while for purveyors of fine spirits, a wall of premium whiskey, mescal, tequila, rum, gin and vodka awaits.

The final piece of the Laylah Ibiza puzzle is of course, music – hybrid rhythms, hypnotic beats and emotive melodies float gently over the airwaves courtesy of some of the island’s most lauded local talents as the evening builds. Later on, quite often as the clock strikes 12, special guest DJs pop in – quite often unannounced – and lift the vibe to an anything-can-happen type frequency that’s perfectly suited to the mischievous people of the Ibiza night. Past guests have included Black Coffee, Luciano, Guy Gerber, Culoe de Song, Audiofly and Blond:ish – with no pomp or circumstance, just authentic, old school Ibiza spontaneity at its best.

When the doors at Laylah Ibiza gently close at the very civilised hour of 2am, you can choose your own Ibiza adventure. Do you continue onto one of the clubs and parties nearby or do you head home knowing you’ve experienced something unique and special? Like a true Ibiza kindred spirit, the Angel of the Night passes no judgement, and like a beacon of light in the darkness, she will be waiting when you’re ready to return…

The pantry of your dreams

We all have those days in summer when we don’t feel like cooking, let alone being faced with washing up. Whether it’s the thought of making a mess for just one person, or the hassle of shopping for groceries for a group, or just the thought of being in the kitchen in this heat that puts you off, Lana Love, creator of the iconic Passion Café empire here in Ibiza, understands the feeling all too well. As a busy entrepreneur dividing her time between six locations, finding healthy and nutritious meals on-the-go in Ibiza had always eluded her. And so, Lana created Pantry, a laid-back little sister café offering accessibly priced fresh-packaged meals that bring a dose of the classic Passion health and happiness directly into your home – no stress, no fuss, and no washing up.

Stepping into Pantry is like discovering the walk-in, plastic-free pantry of your dreams – one where you can also sit down and eat in air-conditioned comfort, should the mood strike you. Glossy glass jars packed with green goodness seem to glow from their place on the fridge shelves, alongside chia pots, fresh fruit salads, ready-made açai bowls, colourful salad boxes, hearty soups, raw desserts, power balls, cold-pressed juices and health-boosting shots. On the counter, fresh pastries, banana bread and homemade cookies sit alongside savoury raw crackers, crispy kale chips, activated almonds and bags of granola, all complemented by the scent of fresh coffee in the air. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, keto, high protein, low carbs, fussy families – whatever your dietary requirement, Pantry has your tastebuds covered.

For those on the go, the convenience of Pantry’s side street Marina location (opposite the Centro de Salut medical centre which has plenty of parking outside) makes it the ideal pit stop, whether you’re on your way home from the school run, post-yoga practice, on your way to the beach, or if you just want to stock your fridge for the next few days ahead. Open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, you can run in, grab a huge bag full of homemade goodness and spend less than you might on a single-serve meal in a restaurant. Granola, raw and coco yoghurt pots are perfect for brekkie on-the-run (or perhaps on the beach), while frozen Passion-style açai bowls can be kept in the freezer at home, or left to thaw out by the time you get to your destination. Kids love the frozen açai lollies too, not to mention the array of sugar-free but decadent raw desserts.

For lunch or dinner, single serve glass jars have been designed to be cooked in a single pan when you get home, and include tasty combinations like shredded payes chicken, homemade pesto, spinach, peas and black rice; tasty tofu scrambles that come with a side of avocado; organic risottos that take all the stress out of stirring – all you have to do is re-heat. Delicious homemade soups range from organic carrot, sweet potato, coconut milk and lime leaves to broccoli and spinach based green soups. Order up a serve of your favourite raw crackers on the side and it’s the perfect single-serve meal. Single serve salad boxes come in a variety of flavours – the keto feta option is popular with the no-carb crew, while the rainbow salad is a vegan dream come true. Fitness freaks will love the high protein salad box, complete with greens, tuna, egg, edamame and much more, while ladies who lunch might find themselves reaching for the salmon deli box – and prices for all of the above Pantry items range between 6€ and 8.50€.

If you’re pulling up a pew, it’s all about simplicity and taste in the mornings at Pantry. Building your own breakfast bowl is a great way to start the day – choose a base of overnight soaked oats and chia, chia porridge or homemade granola, then add your choice of three toppings: fruity, nutty, yoghurt, coconut and more. And if it’s Passion-style toasts you want, Pantry can deliver. Served up on an amazing sourdough bread, you can build your avo toast the way you like it – starting with avocado, olive oil, sea salt and pepper, then add cherry tomatoes, egg, seed mix, courgette hummus, feta, tuna, cream cheese or smoked salmon. That same delicious bread is used to make rustic tostadas – start with the Spanish classic mix of fresh tomato, olive oil and salt, then top it with your choice of cheese, tuna, avo or ‘turkey ham’, while toasted sandwiches are popular and come in a variety of flavour-filled combos. And here’s another dose of wow factor: all of it comes in at less than 10€ a serving.

Passion has always been known for its juices and smoothies, and with this in mind, Pantry too has a selection of delicious, fresh-made concoctions that can also be ordered to go. Lovers of the current celery juice craze (thank you Medical Medium) or those seeking a specific type of detox juice can pre-order litres of their favourite blends to keep in the fridge at home, taking all the messiness out of juicing. Almond milk too, can be cold-pressed to order – opt for recyclable glass bottles, biodegradable ‘plastics’ or you can even bring your own bottles to be filled up. Passion and Pantry were given the stamp of approval by Plastic Free Ibiza quite some time ago and Pantry takes the concept to a new level. Absolutely every last piece of takeaway packaging is biodegradable – from paper, corn starch and rice pasta straw options, to the 100% biodegradable clear lids for the glass jars and juice bottles, there’s nothing here that can harm our precious island.

Finally, in addition to the pre-packaged options, you can also pre-order fresh veggie boxes from much-loved Ibiza organic farm Terra Masia and pick them up directly from Pantry – making picking your local fruit and seasonal veg a breeze. “I wanted to do something for the people who come to Passion every day,” says Lana, of her latest Passion spin-off concept – although the convenience of Pantry has also caught on quickly with the private jet community, who love fuelling their in-flight appetites with pre-packed goodness. And who can blame them? High-quality, healthy food and drink at prices that are equivalent to your local Spanish café, plastic-free takeaway alternatives that help make a difference to the world we live in, and no need to worry about any washing up – what’s not to love?

The simple things

In today’s over-hyped, extroverted world, it’s all too easy to overlook the simple things. Bombarded by noise, images and words, we submit to the daily onslaught, swept away in a tidal wave of stimulus that conversely numbs the senses. But, as is the case with all dominant social behaviour, there’s often an alternative bubbling beneath the surface, waiting for the opportune moment to pop up and offer something different. This theory can be applied to Can Mimosa Ibiza, an Ibiza restaurant where candour is favoured over complication – it’s the antidote to brash, overbearing dining; a place where pretentiousness is cast aside.

Located on a tranquil side street in the charming village of Santa Gertrudis, where a strong sense of community exudes from its core, Can Mimosa Ibiza is set within a beautiful 200-year old, traditional finca. From the outside, its romantic, vine-clad and intriguing fairy-lit entrance gives little clue to the magic that lies through the gate – a laid-back eatery designed to relax and satiate. The bulk of the dining takes place on the leafy outdoor terrace that’s framed by cacti and adorned with parasols, while the stylish and spacious interior hints at things to come in the winter. There’s a constant buzz of chatter, plus the tinkle of children’s laughter coming from the rustic wooden playground, and a faint waft of barbecued charcoal floating on the breeze – it’s an assuming but picturesque Ibiza restaurant scene.

“We’re doing something very different at Can Mimosa Ibiza,” muses owner and founder, Pedro Cervero. “I’m not saying we’re reinventing anything, but what we’ve done here is something very close to our hearts.” An Ibiza resident since 2009, Pedro has been coming to Ibiza for over two decades, and it’s those easy-going, bygone days that he looked to for inspiration when he decided to open his much longed-for Ibiza restaurant, alongside his partner, Holly Rees Thomas – who was born to Welsh parents in San Miguel, just three kilometres from the restaurant site and knows every nook, cranny and person in Ibiza – and renowned head chef, Tim Payne. “You could say that it’s a reaction to what’s happening in Ibiza at the moment,” Pedro explains. “What we’re trying to create is what we all fell in love with 20 years ago. Holly longs for the old Ibiza even more than us, as she has lived here all her life.”

Nostalgia aside, Ibiza back then was an altogether different place, which many look back on fondly. “It was more simple then,” Pedro says. “Ibiza restaurants were value for money, local customs were adhered to and everyone was treated the same.” This ethos is channeled at Can Mimosa Ibiza, where the primary aim is to serve local, fresh produce at reasonable prices to a community of locals who can return time and time again – though of course, holidaymakers who stumble off the main plaza of the village will also be welcomed with open arms. Opening for dinner at the family friendly hour of 7pm makes Can Mimosa Ibiza ideal for parents with kids of all ages, while the 1am close time means the Ibiza night owls can kick-start their island nights in the garden or at the bar. “We extend a heartfelt welcome to everyone,” Pedro says. “We want to get to know all of our clients by name.”

No stranger to successful openings, Pedro’s past experience in Ibiza has seen him consult at legendary island venues including Aura, Es Vive, and Sands, not to mention a slew of international projects that took him to Tulum, the Pyrenees, and London, where he met Can Mimosa Ibiza’s genius in the kitchen, Tim Payne. An ex-student of Marco Pierre White, Tim has been head chef in two and three Michelin starred kitchens over the course of his career but at this Ibiza restaurant, he’s stripping things back to basics, letting the ingredients do the talking. “We don’t use any tricky techniques,” explains Pedro. “It’s just good, honest food presented simply.”

Indeed, there’s a palpable dedication to using local produce at Can Mimosa Ibiza – just browse the flourishing onsite organic garden for proof of that. But vitally, Tim works alongside nearby farmers to ensure everything is as fresh as possible. This means the menu changes every few weeks, and based on what’s available, he’s free to let his creative juices flow. “Tim has such incredible experience that when a local supplier offers him something, he takes it and creates something amazing that day,” says Pedro. “I don’t ever have to worry about the kitchen.” From the finest cuts of beef sourced from mainland Spain to the juiciest local free-range chicken and lamb, freshly caught fish and hearty red prawns, there’s something to suit all taste-buds at Can Mimosa Ibiza – yes, vegans and vegetarians too!

With the hearty, delicious food taken care of, Pedro and Holly are free to concern themselves with the other elements that make Can Mimosa Ibiza stand out from the crowd. “Hospitality is about humility,” Pedro explains. “We want to be informal and genuine – it’s important to us that everyone feels at home.” There’s a strong sense of this everywhere you look – whether it’s at large tables enjoying fresh cuts from the barbecue on a balmy night, or friends propping up the tapas bar tucking into cold beers and anchovies – there’s an undeniable sense of connection. Pedro strongly attributes this to Holly’s heritage. “Holly is the one bringing in all the locals, the people she grew up with and her friends,” he says. “The amount of old payesas who come in to congratulate her for opening the restaurant far exceeds all the friends of Tim and myself combined!”

The overall intention at Can Mimosa Ibiza is to give something back to the community, weaving in some of the island’s quintessential heritage in the process. “We’re geared towards locals because we’re serving people like ourselves,” Pedro says. “This is a way of life for us, not a job.” That’s why you’ll find him in the restaurant every day of the week, including Sundays, when the restaurant opens for lunch, serving up reviving Bloody Marys, additional barbecued treats and acoustic tunes from Paul Powell to sound-track the occasion. In full flow, it’s like a scene conjured from Pedro’s imagination. “I’d like to celebrate my 65th birthday here,” he says. “Only we hope our kids are running the place by then!” He’s got the vision of a man who knows – in the end, the simple things are all that matter.

Conscious creativity

A child’s creativity knows no limits. Kids have a natural instinct to learn and discover new things, without any of the judgement or fear that comes with age. Once we become adults, we may feel shy about trying something new, or scared that we’ll make a mistake, but children just throw themselves in to any new experience with freedom and confidence. Instead of holding back, we should be following the leads of our little ones, and with the recent opening of Numero 74 L’Atelier in the centre of Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza families now have a place to come together over new skills, tasty healthy food and endless creativity, inspiring each other in the process.

The bright, airy and open Numero 74 L’Atelier space includes a yoga deck overlooking the village playground, an urban garden growing fruit and vegetables for the kitchen, a buffet-style cafe and juice bar serving breakfast (from 9.30am), brunch and dinner, plus a stylish store selling pieces from the renowned Numero 74 collections, from organic cotton cushion covers and duvets to stylish and chic boho fashion and charming olde world style soft toys. Around the boutique and restaurant, weaving looms, embroidery kits and even a rustic miniature market provide the perfect places for children to play, while their parents are enjoying a meal, a yoga class or browsing in the boutique.

Parisian founder of Numero 74 L’Atelier, Tara Sfez – known to her loved ones, friends and colleagues as Poupy – is an inspiring entrepreneur with a background in children’s events, including working with Disneyland Paris, and running restaurants and working in sustainable fashion. Her vision to create a space where families can take part in workshops, experience healthy food and connect with one another, is part of a much larger dream. “We believe this project can open in cities all around the world,” she explains, when talking about the inspiration for the flagship Numero 74 L’Atelier concept in Ibiza. “It’s a place for sharing family moments, a place to discover, and also a place to provide work for locals.”

Tara’s connection to Ibiza comes from spending summer holidays here, getting to know the true essence of the island and understanding the freedom and magic that comes along with its authentic lifestyle. Introducing her creative passions to the island was the logical next step. Tara created the Numero 74 brand in 2009, and today the label produces over 5000 pieces for retail, from blankets and clothing to toys and creative kits for adults or children. Everything is made from organic cotton, sourced in Sri Lanka and then woven, cut and prepared in Thailand, using a simple palette of colours that has never changed since the brand’s inception. “Our speciality is really the colours,” she says. “We don’t follow the trend for creating new collections every season – we have our basic products that have been the same since the beginning. I’m a very faithful person, when I love something, I love it forever, so that is our belief with Numero 74 L’Atelier”

Nowhere is that faith and love more evident than in the story of how Numero 74 L’Atelier founder Tara’s relationship with Thailand began. After her son was born prematurely, he suffered from medical problems and animals became a great support for him. When he was two years old, on a trip to the East, he met a baby elephant called Duna and fell in love. Tara promised to take her son back every year to visit his elephant, and made good on that promise, returning to Chiang Mai every year. Her son is now 20 years old and studying to be a vet – he’s also still great friends with Duna.

Thanks to this ongoing love story, the family business has grown from there. “After visiting Thailand as much as possible to see Duna, I had a big wish to work with the Thai people – I felt that they had a lot to teach us,” Tara explains. “Over time, we met a tuk-tuk driver who took us to see the elephant every day. He was amazing, so I asked if he could help us find some women to work for us, to support us and make our product.” Fast forward ten years, and that same tuk-tuk driver is now Tara’s business partner, managing a team of over 400 women, working from home to prepare the fabric, weave the cotton and cut the pieces ready to send to Europe. This ethical and sustainable development is at the heart of what Numero 74 L’Atelier stands for.

After selling online and via wholesale for many years, this pilot project in Santa Gertrudis is the first opportunity for Tara and the Numero 74 L’Atelier team to meet their customers face-to-face. “I realised that something was missing,” says Tara on reflection of the brand’s evolution. “I began to feel it wasn’t meaningful enough, and I realised that I had this dream of a place where we could invite people to discover that they too can be creative. To be creative is the way to heal ourselves, and consequently, to heal the world.” In addition to offering creative workshops for all ages, Numero 74 L’Atelier sells take-away kits you can work on home, from delicate pocket purses to giant wall posters – there’s something for everyone to create.

Through the daily craft or body workshops at Numero 74 L’Atelier, children and adults alike can reconnect, as families and friends. Through weaving, macrame, acro-yoga and a huge variety of other activities, they find pleasure in the art of making something new with their own hands or bodies. Guests enter into the kitchen to taste fresh and authentic homemade food – there are already plans afoot to host after-school cooking classes in the autumn months, adding yet another string to their creative bow. All of the products in the store are sustainable, and ethically sourced, from the weaving loom made of reclaimed wood from houses in Thailand, to the cherry tomatoes growing in pots on the terrace. Authenticity, heart and soul sit at the very foundation of this special and unique place – just step right in and find out how creative you can really be.

Dinner disco pioneers

Going out for dinner is an evolving experience these days. The spectacle around getting ready and the anticipation of planning where to go are all part of the process, including reading all the online reviews of where you and your friends might be thinking of, and then checking the feeds to see who else has been there of course. And when it comes to restaurant culture, it’s impossible to deny the significance of Instagram and #foodporn in general. Any search for STK Ibiza after only a couple of seasons reveals an extraordinary amount of posts and images from this exciting Ibiza restaurant well exceeding its intimate size, and proving just how popular and well-loved a destination it has become.

The secret is down to the unique concept that STK Ibiza Operations Manager Marco Nuccio calls dinner disco. “People want to eat, but they want to have fun too,” he explains. “We offer entertainment throughout the night and from 11pm onwards, the atmosphere starts to take on more of a disco element, not unlike that of a club. First we eat, then we dance.” The performances are interactive, involving the diners from the first instance, so that the lively vibe can easily evolve as the night progresses, bringing everybody to their feet by midnight.

From the first steps down the red carpet to the enormous – and extremely Instagram-friendly – flower-wall that marks the entrance to STK Ibiza, there are signs that this will be a night to remember. Sleek and smiling hosts are ready to greet you and guide you to your allotted table, either a dimly lit booth around the main stage area, or a LED-lit dining area alongside the bar, both offering views of the giant artworks suspended above and the elaborate and decorative wall feature that dominates one end of the restaurant.

Group of glamorous girls gather around tables – according to Nuccio, 80% of the restaurant’s clientele are female – attended to by a fleet of waiters, while a cool soundtrack is just loud enough to hum along to. Dinner begins with a cocktail, with all the usual classics on offer at the STK Ibiza bar. Signature cocktails include the zingy STK Martini, made with Belvedere, blood orange, passionfruit, grapefruit, lime, sugar and bitters, or the favourite STK Bubbles with Belvedere, vanilla, pink bubble gum and Moët Chandon. For a special occasion, or perhaps just because, you can supersize your cocktail and order a 1.5 litre Espresso Martini or Frozen Fruit Daiquiri, with extra straws optional for the table to share. Certainly one way to get the party started early.

The global STK brand is known for its steakhouses, but as the STK Ibiza location has evolved, so has the varied menu, which now includes gluten-free options such as a deliciously tangy Hamachi Tiradito with aji amarillo and mango dressing, or a vegetarian Chickpea Falafel with raw tomato fondue. The Compressed Watermelon salad with creamed feta, cucumber, olive and mint is intense and fresh, and the popular LIL’ BRGS are miniature USDA beef burgers with truffle sauce on sesame-seed buns that are great for sharing. But as you may expect, many are still here for the meat, and as far as that goes, it would be hard to improve on. 

STK Ibiza Head Chef Matteo Bartaletti uses USDA certified and imported prime steak, simply cooked with sea salt and cracked pepper, on an American style broiler. It’s a mouth-watering and juicy way to cook such quality meat that lusciously melts as soon as you eat it. The lean fillet is consistently best selling, but Matteo also recommends the Ribeye, for its marbling texture and flavour. You can choose between small, medium and large depending on your appetite, and of course there’s an extra-large option for anyone looking for one kilogram of Porterhouse or dry aged Tomahawk steak. Sauces and toppings can be added as desired, in classic American style, nothing is too much trouble when it comes to your order.

Pescatarians are well catered for at STK Ibiza with a delectable seared salmon, cooked on a cedar plank to give it a rich smoky flavour, or a light Spanish cod served with sautéed spinach and a saffron alioli. A thorough selection of sides include crispy sweet potato fries, a delicate heirloom tomato and basil salad or giant Parmesan truffle potato chips that are incredibly moreish, as well as a richly indulgent mac and cheese. If there is room for dessert, the Isla Blanca fuses tequila and coconut in a light mousse with a lime sorbet on the side – just the thing to refresh after your meal.

As you dine, a steady succession of performances gently builds atmosphere, from an outrageously attractive contortionist who pops out of a teensy tiny trunk on the stage to a hugely talented saxophone player, who casually flirts with each table as he passes. A Vegas-style cabaret singer performs The Pointer Sisters, whilst a suited magician moves about the room dazzling small groups. By the time dessert comes around, and it’s time for another cocktail, the DJ has picked up the music a notch and most of the room is swaying or tapping their toes. Smiles spread around the room when the drummers come to the STK Ibiza stage, and before long the infectious beats lead everybody to their feet. The dinner is over and the dancing has begun…

Discreetly decadent dining

For every international, intrepid explorer, Ibiza is a blank canvas. An island where the unimaginable is part of the every day, it’s a place where expecting the unexpected is heartily embraced; it’s where dreams seamlessly merge from imagination to consciousness. In part, that’s due to the island’s impish, bohemian spirit – indulging fantasies has been encouraged here for decades – but it’s also thanks to a magic combination of landscape, opportunity and endless summer sun, which unite to promote a feeling of peerless freedom. When it comes to the fine dining and special celebrations, private dining destination Cotton Supper Club invites you to indulge your wildest Ibiza fantasies – here, there’s a sense that absolutely anything goes.

Situated in the newly regenerated seaside neighbourhood of Figueretes, and part of the esteemed Cotton Lifestyle Group, Cotton Supper Club is an Ibiza fine dining destination with unparalleled views of the Mediterranean Sea. Set back from the charming promenade that tightly hugs the coastline, it’s a sophisticated venue designed with prestigious and discerning clients in mind – particularly those who want to take a step back from the spotlight and revel in the exclusivity of a restaurant that’s available to hire in its entirety. Your own private den for the day or evening, it can be transformed for any occasion or requirement – rub the lamp and the genie will emerge, if you will.

Inside, Cotton Supper Club is all about dark walls, plush, leather-bound chairs and dimly-lit, mood lighting, evoking a relaxed but luxurious ambience, while outside it’s all about those jaw-dropping views, with the Mediterranean sparkling enticingly in the distance and palm trees swaying in the breeze at eye level. With the entire venue available for private hire, both of these spaces are yours to command, and with a minimum number of eight guests (or a minimum spend for less) or a maximum of 70, it’s suitable for accommodating all manner of diverse events.

For those looking for intimate soirées away from prying eyes, Cotton Supper Club delivers. Send invitations to your nearest and dearest and then enjoy the blissful experience of having the entire venue to yourselves – for hours on end, should you choose it. Take lunch on the terrace while the sun’s high in the sky, and then as darkness descends head indoors for a sumptuous dinner that’s been created on request. Then, fully sated, employ the use of a local DJ to play tunes till the sun comes up, all the while making the kind of memories that leave imprints on the mind long after you’ve landed back on home turf.

Similarly, Cotton Supper Club is ideally suited to large-scale private parties and weddings. After a romantic ceremony, bring guests back to the terrace for a delectable selection of cocktails and canapés. Then take a seat at the table for a first class feast to remember, and of course, speeches, which away from prying eyes, can be as clandestine or revealing (don’t tell the best man!) as you like. After dinner, make use of the bar, then dance into your first night of fully fledged marriage alongside a selection of closest friends and family.

It should go without saying that as a member of the Cotton Lifestyle Group family, the culinary offering at Cotton Supper Club is of the highest calibre. Tailored to suit your experience, options include a fresh selection of sushi – think mouth-watering nigiri and sashimi crafted by expert sushi masters and premium rolls featuring ingredients like hot tuna, chicken and foie gras. Otherwise there’s deliciously fragrant Asian fare to sample, or the exotic and colourful flavours of South America to set tastebuds alight. Whatever your culinary leanings, the highly-trained chefs promise to conjure an enchanting menu, just for you and yours.

Another theme that runs throughout all Cotton Lifestyle Group venues is exceptional service, from a selection of hosts who’ve honed their skills at the world’s best hospitality venues. Guaranteeing the utmost privacy and slick, seamless service, clients can rest easy knowing that at Cotton Supper Club, guests are well looked after and all events are treated with the utmost discretion, which means everyone can relax and be fully in the moment within those four walls.

Guests are free to enjoy the surroundings and the company they’ve invited, and when the night is young, that’s a tantalising prospect. Offering a unique combination of perfect location (Figueretes lies just a short walk from Ibiza town), fabulous food, oodles of fine wine, and five-star service, Cotton Supper Club has the potential to fulfil even the wildest Ibiza dreams. And they can be pretty wild! Take advantage of its offer for total privacy and fully indulge in an event that will go down in the history books of your closest allies. After all, that’s what Ibiza’s all about – letting loose and living in the moment.

The legend lives on

Legends do not start with fireworks and parades. Real legends grow from an organic confluence of cool – which is exactly where the story of the legendary San Rafael restaurant Las Dos Lunas started. Back in the early 70s, owner Massimo Lucarini was tooling around Milan with his friend Pepe Rosello (founder of Ibiza’s unforgettable Space nightclub). Pepe insisted Massimo come with him to Ibiza and the minute he hit the ground, he knew this was the place for him. One day Massimo was hitchhiking when a beautiful woman stopped for him only to be scolded by her mother from the passenger seat who was appalled that her daughter would pick up “those hairy hippies”. Her name was Almudena Robles and her face was etched into Massimo’s memory. Then, he saw her again, and again, and from there grew a long-lasting love that would spawn five children and Las Dos Lunas. That is how legends are made.

Las Dos Lunas is one of those old-school places that contain so much history it pulsates. The residual imprints of rock stars, royalty and Hollywood are threaded through its eclectic garden setting. The restaurant’s position between two other Ibiza legends – Amnesia and Ku (now Privilege) – always made it a dining destination for the eccentric social circles of Ibiza’s bohemian elite, who would traipse between party, beach, dinner and back again. Today Massimo and Alumdena potter amongst the gardens, stick their heads into bubbling pots and do as much or as little as they please while their son, Lupo, helms the ship, steering the legend into a new era.

Between his commitments as a music producer and international DJ, Lupo always manages to come home to Las Dos Lunas to prepare for the summer season and the future. “It was an old farmhouse that was operating as an antique store when my parents found it,” he says. “My bedroom was the stable. My four siblings and I grew up here and I still live here during the summers.” Carlos, Massimo’s best friend (who the kids called uncle), came on board in the early days. Lupo remembers being awed at their ability to charm the clientele. “My father treated everyone the same way and Carlos was always so elegant,” he recalls. “I learned so much from him. He always remembered people’s favourite drinks, he’d kiss the hands of the ladies and bow. He was like magic.”

The legacy lives on in what Lupo calls invisible service. The adept waiters at Las Dos Lunas intuit a guest’s needs before the guest is even aware of what they are. It didn’t matter (and it still doesn’t) if you were a king, a supermodel or a gardener – everyone who walks through the doors of Las Dos Lunas is treated like royalty. Except for actual royalty – they are treated just like everyone else. Lupo recalls the King of Spain coming for dinner in the mid-90s. When he met Massimo, as was the custom, King Juan Carlos looked around and said: “Where’s the photographer?” Massimo shrugged and replied: “Your Highness, there isn’t one.” Although the family did keep the King’s bill as a memento, he received the same service as everyone else.

Anecdotes of famous people are scattered right through Las Dos Lunas’ history, but Massimo and Carlos were always discreet and protective of their clientele – something that has made the restaurant a place of gentle reprieve for many a well-known face. “This is my house,” says Lupo. “I want people enjoying their dinner in my home to always be comfortable.” It’s this easy-going ambience that brings back repeat visitors time and time again. It’s not unusual to find a family or group of friends with a standing reservation returning to order their favourite dishes – the same ones they have been ordering for 20 years. The menu is a blend of Italian and Spanish traditions, with an emphasis on Mediterranean flavours. Well before the concept of farm-to-table became commoditised by corporate behemoths, Massimo and Almudena were growing their own vegetables in the garden behind the house.

Tomato plants peek over the parapets of the roof alongside the instantly recognisable, enormous cow mascot, which replaced the Cadillac that used to be there. The providence of the produce used in the kitchen is something Lupo learned from his parents. “We like to use as much local produce as possible,” he says. “We keep the food pure that way and can have more control over the quality.” Sharing plates are a good way to enjoy a starter, giving guests a selection of tastes to discover. All of the pasta is homemade and accompanied by classic Italian sauces such as pappardelle al telefono, fettuccini asparagi e tartufo and linguini al pesto con gamberetti. Mains consist of favourites such as roast country chicken, cotoletta Milanese, scaloppini marsala and a classic filet mignon. Of course, gelato features heavily on the Las Dos Lunas dessert menu along with a traditional Tiramisu, pannacotta, chocolate soufflé and seasonal fruits.

Over the years Massimo and Almudena made a habit of collecting artworks made by their friends, some of who went on to become globally famous and others who are just passionate creators. Just like their clientele, the Lucarinis only make judgements based on beauty and kindness. Julian Schnabel is a long-time family friend who took a paintbrush to the bricks of the outside bread oven. Grillo Demo painted the iconic images used on postcards and the menu, and inspired by his creativity, one of his protégées painted the multi-coloured harlequin patterned floor. Lupo’s godfather created a gallery of ethereal figures and an abstract portrait of the restaurant with the Las Dos Lunas moons of the logo floating in the ether.

The garden is mysterious and romantic, luxuriant with grape vines, ferns and palms. Low lighting glows over the tables and the art hanging in unusual places. Unlike the characterless eateries frequented by the fly-in-fly-out crew, Las Dos Lunas retains the true essence of the old Ibiza where dining with kings, movie stars and ordinary people was commonplace and there was no such thing as VIP. “It’s familiar,” concludes Lupo. “This place is all about family. It’s very close and warm. It’s got soul.” There are many different ingredients required to create a legend and at Las Dos Lunas , it’s a mix of humility, excellent food, ambience and art, but the final ingredient that takes the restaurant to legendary status is undoubtedly heart.

The essence of Ibiza

If Aiyanna Ibiza had been around when the global hippie community descended on Ibiza in the 60s and 70s, those early bohemian travellers would have felt completely at home. Fast forward 50 odd years and arriving at Aiyanna Ibiza – which opened on the on the beach at Cala Nova in 2017 – is like stepping back in time, to a simpler era of peace, love and happiness. Today, it feels like this rustic, colourful east coast restaurant has been here forever and the restaurant is now adored by locals and visitors alike.

The blend of influences that is so vibrantly represented at Aiyanna Ibiza – both in the gentle, natural style and the flavours on the menu, is indicative of the melting-pot culture of Ibiza’s own heritage, where everyone is welcome and the relaxed ambience is effortless. Settled into the rocks of a sandy cove just mere steps away from the sea, Aiyanna Ibiza is an enclave of raw, natural materials that blend seamlessly in to the stunning location. Bare wood floors, driftwood-inspired furniture with plush sofas and deeply comfortable bucket-chairs invite you to stay for hours and soak up the beach-life atmosphere. It also just-so-happens to be one of the island’s most Instagram-friendly destinations.

Basket weave, raffia and hessian design features lend a feeling of recycled and repurposed sustainability, that sits easily in the stunning natural environment with an air of unobtrusive chic. The brightly coloured umbrellas fluttering in the Mediterranean breeze are fashioned from handmade Guatemalan kites, adding a stunning kaleidoscope of vibrant hues to the soft and neutral background palette. The crisp cotton shirts worn by the friendly, smiling Aiyanna Ibiza staff are also handmade, from fabrics procured in Africa and artfully stitched into bespoke uniforms by a wonderful local designer, Ivonne Carolina, who also has her own workshop and boutique onsite. Here lies the charm of Aiyanna Ibiza; it draws on global influences, styles and cultures, presenting them in a way that is pure Ibiza.

This abundant array of influences and characters translates into an environment and a menu that are eclectic, creative and universally inspiring. Unsurprisingly, for a beach restaurant that is the ‘little sister’ venue to established island favourite Amante Ibiza on the nearby Sol d’en Serra beach, the dining experience at Aiyanna Ibiza is exceptional. The menu consists of beautifully curated dishes made with ingredients that are a tantalising mix of seasonal, local produce and middle eastern spices and flavours – combined in harmony for a unique twist on traditional beach club fayre.

Many of the fresh ingredients are grown in Aiyanna Ibiza’s very own organic garden, bringing a garden to table ethos to the menu. The restaurant’s attention to clean-eating, plant-based dishes means vegetarians have plenty to choose from, and in addition to a selection of hearty vegan dishes, some simple ingredient swaps can create further vegan options from the extensive options. Many of the dishes are designed to be shared for light, laid-back lunches or snacks in the sunshine, although the main course menu of meat, fish and veggie dishes can be quite tempting to keep to yourself!

A classic Aiyanna Ibiza starter of middle eastern Mezze is an ideal sharing platter of hummus, muhammara and babaganoush with crisp fresh vegetables for delectable dipping. The Turkish pide is like a middle eastern pizza, with a base of spelt flatbread topped with olives, rocket and cherry tomatoes and a delicious feta and pistachio cream. Moroccan spiced chicken comes with a freshly picked salad, drizzled with with a delicate soya dressing and shavings of Parmesan. The spiced green taboulleh with edamame, lentils and avocado is a riot of colours, while the flavour is a master class of Turkish delight.

When it comes to mains at Aiyanna Ibiza, the perfectly roasted whole sea bass is an established favourite where the simplicity of freshness sings from the plate, while the slow-cooked lamb with a ras el hanout marinade invites more complex, layered flavours of cumin, cadamom, paprika and ginger. The homemade burger hits all the right notes, topped with Mahon cheese and truffle mayonnaise, while the 100% vegetarian ‘Beyond Burger’ is endlessly satisfying for non-meat eaters.

The unique and varied menu at Aiyanna Ibiza is a draw in itself, but there’s plenty more to enjoy and to keep you wrapped up in the bohemian vibes from first thing in the morning right through till night. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, yoga classes take place on the wooden decking overlooking the sparkling sea, followed by a light buffet breakfast that is included in the price of the class. If you’re not up for a downward dog first thing in the morning, you can come for freshly pressed juices and the full breakfast menu that’s on offer until 12.30pm.

Lunch starts at 1pm and the kitchen is in action all the way through until midnight, so you can settle in for the day, or if you prefer some time with the sand beneath your toes you can choose from a range of take-away picnic dishes, served in plastic-free, sustainable packaging from the Airstream food truck. A spirit of multi-culturalism and vibrant diversity is the continuing theme throughout the Aiyanna Ibiza calendar of events.

The monthly full moon extravaganza has a world party flavour, with musicians and dancers from all corners of the globe taking part while bi-weekly art exhibitions, showcasing island artists alongside international talent, nurture that feeling of unity Ibiza has always been known for, Like Ibiza itself, the unique charm of Aiyanna Ibiza is intrinsically noticeable and tangibly felt but not as easy to exactly define. The words carved into the wooden menu holders probably come closest, where it is written: ‘Aiyanna Ibiza embodies the spirit of Ibiza, capturing the vitality and beauty of this incredible island.’ We couldn’t have put it better ourselves…