On an island where life is forever evolving and the beach restaurant scene is growing exponentially with every new year, it’s reassuring to discover the classic island venues that have stood the test of time. Pura Vida Beach Restaurant has been a favourite of Ibiza locals and returning holidaymakers for over 15 years, thanks to its classic approach to pure relaxation and high-end Mediterranean cuisine, in a location that is simply divine. Set right on the sand of the pretty cove of Playa Niu Blau, on the east coast of Ibiza just past Santa Eulalia, Pura Vida Beach Restaurant is a masterclass in timeless hospitality where the vibe is sweetly simple and the vibe genuinely welcoming. Here, everyone is welcome and once you settle in for the day, you just won’t want to leave – in fact, you’ll want to return, again and again and again…

Owners Daniel Sanwald and Alexandra Sixt have been at the helm of Pura Vida Beach Restaurant since 2007 and Daniel – who was born and bred in Ibiza – recalls visiting the beach restaurant regularly as a child. The location is part of their hearts, part of their heritage – something you can really sense when you visit. Since taking the reins of the stylish beach restaurant, the couple have built a loyal and long-standing team of staff who return to Pura Vida Beach Restaurant year on year, further adding to the family-style feeling of warmth evoked on each visit. When the team is happy, guests can feel it and this contributes to each and every experience.

The cuisine concept at Pura Vida Beach Restaurant takes classic Mediterranean dishes and gives them a contemporary feel and a lighter touch. At the beginning of every new season, the menu is lovingly re-worked to ensure it incorporates the very best local produce and the highest quality ingredients, drawing on creative flavour combinations from around the globe. Each dish is a delight, be it a twist on tradition or a long-term classic – inspiring those who return to the golden sands of Playa Niu Blau each year.

The classic steak tartare is served with a perfectly soft poached egg and mustard roe on a fresh brioche, while the grilled whole sea bream has a gentle, mellow paprika sauce and comes with traditional Ibiza-style fried potatoes and a crisp, fresh tomato salad. For something a little different, the zingy poke bowl is a perfect choice for a light lunchtime dish, with salmon, quinoa and teriyaki topped with avocado, sprouts, and a red curry dressing. It’s not just the grown-ups who’ll love a trip to Pura Vida Beach Restaurant – the inventive kids’ menu boasts all the little ones’ favourites and also offers healthy steamed fresh fish with rice and vegetables for the little foodies who fancy a taste of seafood themselves. The desserts on offer are a pleasure for all ages – the mille-feuille of sticky apple confit and delicious cinnamon ice cream is one of the most popular choices.

While it’s easy to see why the fantastic food attracts gourmands to Pura Vida Beach Restaurant, the venue’s laid-back ambience and chic summer style also appeals to those seeking an old-school relaxed Ibiza beach day – think no phones, a good book and a safe place for the kids to play. The pace of life on this side of the island feels gentler and slower than other parts of Ibiza, and the beach at Playa Niu Blau – peppered with shady olive, pine and palm trees – never feels crowded, even in the height of summer. Many Pura Vida Beach Restaurant devotees turn up early to enjoy a light breakfast on the sand – the many loungers and daybeds are perfect for daydreaming or a mid-morning snooze after your coffee, juice and tostada, with the sound of lapping water and island songbirds providing the perfect holiday soundtrack. A soothing full body massage can be booked if you need a little extra help relaxing.

When your appetite returns, a long lazy lunch on the shaded Pura Vida Beach Restaurant terrace is in order, then you can either head back to the beach and a horizontal position where delicious afternoon cocktails can be served directly to your daybed, or stay where you are for some social time around the table, catching up with old friends – or making new ones – over a few glasses of wine or champagne from the extensive list on offer. Three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, an island DJ spins soft Balearic beats in the background while on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, kids can be entertained with crafts and activities at the Pura Vida Beach Restaurant kids’ club, allowing adults some blissful hours of uninterrupted conversation.

As day turns to dusk, it’s even easier to linger longer as thoughts return to food – whether a light tasty snack or an evening dinner on the deck – and the sky puts on a kaleidoscopic performance before night falls. If you’re still dressed in your beach gear, a wander around the boutique can re-kit you for the evening (or just provide a reason for some retail therapy), with a carefully curated and colourful range of kaftans, dresses and eclectic accessories on offer. Pura Vida Beach Restaurant clients receive an islanders’ discount in store and more than likely you’ll be offered a glass of delicious local cava while you browse! All the more reason to shop…

After dark, the vibes at Pura Vida Beach Restaurant are pure Ibiza nights – alfresco dining complemented by great music, including live Flamenco from world-renowned maestro Paco Fernandez on Mondays (from June 24, 2019), who performs alongside passionate dancers to create an unforgettable island experience that will stay with you long after your Ibiza tan has faded. It’s all too easy to spend the entire day, from morning until night at Pura Vida Beach Restaurant, immersed in the enchanting atmosphere of this classic Ibiza dining destination that hits all the right notes.