Cala Bonita

A subtle, hand-painted rock at the top of a hillside between Jesús and Talamanca marks the spot to turn off for famed Ibiza beach restaurant Cala Bonita and from the moment you reach the bottom of the dusty camino, it’s easy to forget you’re just a 10-minute drive from Ibiza’s bustling town centre. The secluded chiringuito feels like a remote sanctuary, boasting views from the cloistered cove across the sparkling sea to Formentera and beyond, while serving up the finest seasonal Spanish and Mediterranean dishes all year round.

Hugging the left side of the bay, the wooden deck of the alfresco dining terrace blends perfectly with the surrounding forests and rustic fishing huts lining the rocky cove. A classic interior palette of whites and earth-tones make it hard to distinguish where the Ibiza beach restaurant ends, and the unspoilt sandy cove begins, with sunbeds on the shoreline offering a laid-back alternative for pre and post meal cocktails. With an intimate capacity and a vibrant yet unpretentious ambience, Cala Bonita bridges the gap between cosy and charismatic, perfectly encapsulating the authentic spirit of Ibiza.

The kitchen philosophy at Cala Bonita is all about heritage cooking practices paired with modern culinary techniques. The Ibiza beach restaurant’s tapas menu encourages dining family style, with delectable sharing plates including artichoke confit; jamón Iberico or lobster croquettes; mussels with cream, fennel and lemon; succulent grilled red prawns, Poget oysters and more. Meanwhile, the tantalising scent from the wood-fired grill pulls focus to the heartier dishes on the menu: rib-eye and sirloin steak or free-range chicken keep carnivores happy, while grilled sea bass, octopus, mackerel or Balfegó tuna let the flavours of the sea sing across your palate.

Each and every dish at Cala Bonita has been designed to showcase the abundance of the surrounding Mediterranean while allowing the true flavours of the ingredients to shine. Share a fragrant tray of the Ibiza beach restaurant’s signature octopus and sobrasada black rice or indulge in the decadent crayfish fine rice. Finally, save room for churros con dulce de leche – a playful yet sophisticated take on a Spanish childhood favourite, just like the fresh strawberries and cream, ice cream sandwich and luxe chocolate ganache with salt and olive oil.

The Ibiza beach restaurant’s cocktail menu is brimming with signature creations along with the classics, and the extensive wine list has all bases covered. Crisp whites to pair with the array of Mediterranean flavours, subtle rosés perfect for a hot summer afternoon and full-bodied reds packing that extra punch. A trip to this idyllic seaside destination should be slow and savoured; drink and dine in between siestas and swims, stay for the sunset, and soak up those last glistening rays before darkness descends. Thousands of twinkling stars light up the camino when it’s time to bid farewell to Cala Bonita and return to island reality – fortunately, it’s a reality where you can do it all time and time again.