If you’re gathering a group of friends or loved ones for a festive feast at El Náutico Ibiza, the most difficult choice you’ll face is whether to share dishes across the table or order your favourite of chef Pau Barba’s creations for yourself. Starters range from the incredibly rich and more-ish French onion soup and the beloved sailor-style mussels (‘A la Marinera’) to plump baby scallop gratin with Hollandaise sauce, and grilled Formentera crayfish. Other standouts include the butifarra (local sausage) made by Can Ros and served with white beans and wild mushrooms and the guaranteed to please calamari a la romana (battered and fried – the best way!).

Once your initial hunger has been sated by starters, a few drinks have been drunk and the atmosphere becomes even more jovial, thoughts turn to main dishes. It’s been said that Christmas always tastes better by the sea, and Barba’s menu, combined with the seaside location of El Náutico Ibiza, is the best way to test the theory. Constantly inspired by the fresh bounty that comes directly from the Med, the menu is very seafood-focused (don’t worry vegetarians and carnivores – you’ll have your time too!) and offers diners an authentic taste of Ibiza.

The open grill is always fired up and ready to go, and sometimes, the best way to order is to simply ask your waiter what the freshest catch of the day is. With delectable treats caught specifically for the restaurant, such as ‘The King Crab of our friend Kike’ and ‘The Lobster of our friend Toni Ters’ or ‘The Monkfish of our friend Paco Lladó’, you might even get an entertaining story or two about the origins of your dinner. The mixed seafood grill; wild, line-caught fish from Ibiza; and the Ibiza classic, lobster served with fried eggs and chips are all popular with El Náutico Ibiza regulars, while whole salt-baked seabass; luxe lobster parmentier; and sweet monkfish with shallots and creamed mushrooms are also the perfect plates for cold winter nights.

The kitchen here specialises in traditional Spanish rice dishes – perfect to share among big groups or between two on date night. There’s the classic seafood and fish paella of course; plus, a chicken and pork ribs version, or the all-meat paella for those who prefer their food to come from the land. A vegetarian dry-rice paella, made Valenciana style, is another delicious alternative. In winter, it’s especially hard to go past the arroz caldoso de bogavante (a brothy rice dish made with blue lobster) or the creamy red prawn rice, while those who love a twist on tradition may prefer El Náutico Ibiza’s take on the classic buillit de peix, made with macaroni, or the fideuá of tender cuttlefish and squid.

Meat lovers are also spoilt for choice at El Náutico Ibiza and one of Barba’s signature dishes, a typical beef stew, reveals layer upon layer of flavour as the slow-cooked meat melts in your mouth. For something a little more decadent, ask about ‘The Chateaubriant of our friend Danny’ or order the incredible beef cheek cannelloni with foie sauce. The beauty of the menu here is that there really is something to suit all appetites, making the cosy restaurant ideal for end-of-year team dinners, family reunions or friends getting together before heading off on their winter travels.

December is indeed a time to eat, drink and be merry, so with that in mind be sure to save room for dessert when you book a table at El Náutico Ibiza over the holidays. Opt for classics like cheesecake, greixonera or tarte tatin, savour the molten chocolate that oozes out of the ever-popular coolant; or order La Copa Especial de Náutico (made for two people, to order). Finish with a decaf espresso martini; watch the flames rise from the cauldron of café Caleta as it’s scooped into cups and passed around your table or settle in by the fire and sip on a top shelf whisky. This is Christmas, Ibiza style… and absolutely everyone is welcome at El Náutico Ibiza.