Teeming with history and buzzing with a year-round hive of activity, the beautiful port of Ibiza town is one of the island’s most emblematic locations. The glittering harbour – filled with superyachts, fishing boats and ferries, and set beneath the backdrop of the iconic Dalt Vila skyline – was once the first port of call for every visitor to Ibiza, and a love at first sight experience for many. The opening of Ibiza Airport in the 1960s, along with the advent of commercial air travel meant less passengers arrived to the island by sea, however the bustling marina has remained a must-visit destination to this day. Adding further to the area’s modern-day appeal is El Náutico Ibiza, a chic-yet-casual waterfront restaurant uniting the Ibiza community over bold Mediterranean flavours and a host of exciting events.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous (or just plain hungry!), cast your eyes downwards on the menu to the ‘desayuno de cuchara’ section, where Barba flirts with typical Ibicenco comfort food, using recipes that have been handed down through generations, like tripe with chickpeas, Iberico pork cheeks, beef stew or fried eggs with sausages and chickpeas. It’s not your typical breakfast fare, but once you’ve tried it on a chilly winter morning, it’s easy to see why locals flock here for their morning fuel-up. You can also grab a quick and easy bocadillo, with all the best fillings – sobrasada, bacon, roast beef, jamón Serrano, French omelette, chicken with green pepper, tuna with red pepper and olives… all the more reason to revisit El Náutico Ibiza.

Lunches reveal Barba’s love for the sea, with dishes like steamed mussels, Formentera langoustines, grilled prawns, king crab, chipirones and calamari served Andalusian-style, and fresh local fish. Known for his mastery of Spanish rice dishes, the chef takes great pride in producing oversized paelleras (pans) brimming with bullit de peix y arroz a banda, in addition to an indulgent lobster-infused creamy rice and a fideuá brimming with tender squid and cuttlefish. Despite El Náutico Ibiza’s proximity to the Med, it’s not always all about seafood – carnivores profess to love the arroz seco with chicken and pork ribs, the entrecôte paired with a choice of Roquefort, peppercorn or anchovy sauce, and the succulent sirloin served solo or with foie gras.

As the sun sets and the lights from the old town glitter across the bay, the menu at El Náutico Ibiza becomes a slightly more refined affair. Choose from internationally inspired plates like tender grilled aubergine, pistachios and miso; rich mushroom risotto; decadent foie terrine with hazelnut praline; charred leeks topped with succulent scallops and macadamia cream; and a very impressive chuletón, washed down with a fine wine or cocktail. And if the warm, welcoming service from Barba and his team combined with the exceptional cuisine and million-dollar views aren’t enough to tempt you into the port this winter, the restaurant’s vibrant event calendar should seal the deal.

There are regular rooftop morning yoga sessions (held indoors in the case of cold weather) at El Náutico Ibiza, where instructor Alba guides students through a gentle, breath-led practice before heading downstairs for breakfast. Lunchtimes become a celebration of national dishes such as cocido Madrileño (a traditional stew of chickpeas and morcilla) or the fiesta de chuletón – an homage to the almighty cut of beef – while evenings are all about collaborations with provedores and colleagues. Expect sushi nights with DJs, live music performances by local favourites like Roberto Navarro and Zule Paz and even a high-glam Studio 54 night with Jordi Cardona among other events.

On weekends, it’s a family affair at El Náutico Ibiza, as parents are invited to drop the little ones off at Little Náutico by Holikids Ibiza – a safe, creative and supervised space within the restaurant where children can get involved in arts, crafts and activities, and tuck into a delicious kids’ meal at lunchtime – while grown-ups enjoy their own age-appropriate meal on the terrace. Throughout the year, local artists are invited to exhibit their works, with the current show featuring the remarkable photography of Sofia Gomez Fonzo. The seasons may have changed in Ibiza, but there’s no signs of slowing down at El Náutico Ibiza. Next up on the winter calendar is the launch of a Christmas market – keep your eyes on the brand’s social media and the White Ibiza Calendar to stay in the loop during the coming months.

A dynamic project with many plans for the future, Pau Barba’s vision for El Náutico Ibiza is one of egalitarian values, celebrating local traditions, artists and of course, food and that spectacular view. By fusing traditional cuisine with contemporary flair, and creating a relaxed, community hub for one and all to enjoy, El Náutico Ibiza successfully melds Ibiza’s past and future, and there’s no time like the present to experience it in all its glory.