• El Náutico Ibiza – Open in winter

Water gently lapping against the solid harbour wall is the natural soundtrack that accompanies breakfast, lunch and dinner at El Náutico Ibiza. Situated in Ibiza’s port, highly respected local chef Pau Barba brings his signature Mediterranean style to the chic Ibiza restaurant, transforming it into a year-round hub of delicious food, amazing cocktails and wines, and a spectacular calendar of events, live music and art happenings. The best part? It all comes with a million-dollar view and zero pretension.

From the moment day breaks, the sea glitters magically on the horizon, drawing diners’ sightlines towards the rustic walls of the old town. El Náutico Ibiza opens daily at 8am, welcoming early birds, travellers on their way to Formentera and those who’ve just completed a morning run along the Marina for breakfast. Opt for freshly brewed coffee and a tostada, chia pudding or yoghurt with granola, or scrambled eggs with spinach. Those looking for a heartier start to the day might want to try out the Ibiza restaurant’s traditional breakfast offerings like tripe with chickpeas, Iberico pork cheeks or huevos de Marques.

Barba takes classic Mediterranean dishes and elevates them in a way that mama would approve of. Lunches at El Náutico Ibiza start with classic tapas followed by the best quality seafood: steamed mussels, Formentera langoustines, rock snails served Galician-style and perfectly grilled local prawns. Famous for his rice dishes, Barba delivers a traditional bullit de peix con arroz a banda, creamy rice with lobster, and fideuá de sepia y calamar – vermicelli-style noodles with squid and cuttlefish. For meat lovers, the Ibiza restaurant features rib-eye in Roquefort, peppercorn or anchovy sauce, and a juicy sirloin, topped with or without foie gras.

As the sun goes down and the lights from the old town glitter across the harbour, the dishes at this stunning Ibiza restaurant become a little more refined. El Náutico Ibiza’s evening menu is distillation of all of Barba’s skills – think grilled aubergine scattered with pistachio and miso; velvety mushroom risotto; foie terrine with hazelnut praline; grilled leeks with scallops and macadamia cream; langoustine with shiso; chicken with yuzu kosho sauce and a sensational T-bone steak with chips. Something for everyone.

In a time when many Ibiza restaurants chase glamour, El Náutico Ibiza prides itself on delivering exceptional quality at an honest price. The vibe is seaside casual and family friendly, where you can wander in with your dog – yes, pets are indeed welcome – for a coffee or a cocktail, practice yoga then tuck into a healthy breakfast, take a table with friends for lunch, book the entire venue out for your big event or bring your special someone for a romantic meal all with that million-dollar view. All the more reason to return, time after time.