Ibiza: Two Dining Destinations That Rock
I’ve been travelling to Ibiza regularly for years, but one thing has always baffled me – the culinary side often gets overshadowed by the club and celebrity scene, which is a crying shame as many of the restaurants are quite simply awesome.
Every year, the White Isle introduces some fresh new eateries, and along with other go-to newcomers including Cotton Beach Club and La Bodega Talamanca, last summer saw the launch of a new addition to established party resort Playa d’en Bossa, in the glamorous form of the Hard Rock Hotel.
This five star hotel is the first HRH in Europe, and they haven’t held back with the design nor the amenities. The Beach Club is the place to see and be seen for lunch or drinks, and takes prime position on the hotel’s stretch of sand – set back from the main drag it almost feels private, while beach service is obligatory (you’ll want to indulge in the Cava Sangria for sure). In fact, there seems to be a high ratio of staff to guests so you never have to wait too long to be served.
But what of the food? With this being Hard Rock territory, if you want a burger you can have one of course, but The Beach House offers so much more than your typical American diner menu, thanks to the team behind the island’s hip El Chiringuito beach restaurant.
Under a shady straw roof which is welcome respite from the searing sun, you can indulge in Italian and Mediterranean classics including fresh pasta and risotto, seafood from the tank, stunning salads and even caviar and oysters.
A DJ provides the soundtrack until 11pm, and live music is a cool extra touch.
The only thing that slightly jarred the laid-back Balearic vibe was the unexpected holiday camp-style presentation, complete with choreography and music, performed by the slightly embarrassed staff midway through lunch – although a couple of glasses of vino rosado got me into the spirit of things.
Situated on what’s dubbed ‘restaurant road’ by residents, Bambuddha has been an Ibizan favourite for 15 years, and this Balinese-inspired dining temple in the heart of the island continues to go from strength to strength.
Owned by the eclectic John Moon, AKA elder of the ‘Black Sheep Tribe’, while already much-loved by many, the secret to its enduring success is the drive to constantly update its offering, from the interior to the ‘MediterrAsian’ menu.
Last season, diners were greeted with a new bar area and refreshed layout, which seems even more decadent, expansive and beautifully lit than I remember.
With visitors including A-listers Dr Dre, Leonardo Dicaprio and Sienna Miller, plus the jet set elite and Ibiza’s uber cool crowd, it’s no wonder that Bambuddha continues to be a dining and drinking hot-spot.
The award-winning food now seems to be even more on-point – along with some new additions, they are nailing the pan Asian dishes that we all love, including Alaskan black cod, slow roasted lamb, aromatic curries and divine tempura, sushi and sashimi.
Desserts are definitely worth saving a space for. The spiced chocolate truffles are a taste sensation, and you can even have a Group Orgasm (not literally, don’t worry!) which consists of ‘erotic mixed delights’.
The cocktails are amazing and the buzzing Tantra Cocktail Palace lounge is a great place to meet friends, so make sure you leave time before or after your meal.
Whether you’re new to Ibiza or not, when planning your trip this summer, these two are definitely worthy of a place in your island address book – just remember to reserve beforehand.
The Beach Club at Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, Carretera Playa D’en Bossa S/N, 07817 Sant Jordi De Ses Salines, Ibiza Spain. For reservations, email beachclub@hrhibiza.com or call +34 971 396 726.
Bambuddha, Carretera de San Juan, KM8.5, 07840 Santa Eulalia del Rio, Ibiza Spain. For reservations, email reservations@bambuddha.com or call +34 971 19 75 10.
