You're out for a great dinner - the last spoonful of dessert has been licked, the complimentary chupitos have been chugged and everyone is feeling frisky. But, what next? Where can you go to get the party started? Well luckily, in Ibiza, the answer is "not very far...!"
This island is the place where top quality gastronomy and world class DJs collide. So, it's inevitable you can combine both a good meal and a proper shindig all under one roof.
Here is a round-up of our favourite spots to get you up and dancing once the dishes have been cleared away.
Café Mambo
San Antonio
A permanent fixture on everyone's island bucket list, Cafe Mambo is now an Ibiza institution in its own right. From its humble roots as a derelict beachfront home, the stunning setting has grown into a world renowned brand with its own stamp on sunset.
With four areas to dine, dance and drink it offers both foodies and music lovers a place to meet. Open from 10:00 to 03:00 and with an international menu as big as its cocktail list - the strawberry daiquiri is a favourite of ours - you can while away the hours in this sun-drenched spot.
Of course, it's those sunset hours that really are the cream on the cake - you can experience world famous DJs serenading you as you watch the sun dip beneath the horizon. Then the tempo rises, as the pre-parties begin, and you never know who might take the controls.
El Restaurante | Pacha
Ibiza Town
Pacha's very own "East meets West" dining experience, where Mediterranean and Japanese cuisines amalgamate to create delectable sharing dishes, all in one of the island's most iconic settings of all time.
Every luscious dish of El Restaurante will delight your senses and transport you to a taste of the future. In line with its exquisite menu, atmosphere and quality service, don't be surprised if you find yourself dining next to some of the most famous DJs of the moment.
After dinner, you'll be able to enjoy the perfect pre-party atmosphere, sampling the mouthwatering works of the restaurant's mixologists, dance to the beats of special guest DJs and get set for a night to remember.
The 'eat your tickets' policy allows you to make your way straight through the doors of Pacha club so that you can enjoy the full experience. Minimum spend starts at €100 per head and is subject to which night on the week you book. Handily, you can make reservations via our party calendar by selecting your dates and filtering by club.
Ushuaïa Beach Hotel gastronomy
Playa d'en Bossa
Ushuaïa is primarily known as Ibiza's largest outdoor entertainment venue and secondary as a hotel, but what you might not know is that it also boasts a range of incredible onsite restaurants.
Positioned next to the lobby's main entrance (but also with its garden viewing onto the stage) is Minami. The Japanese specialist restaurant serves up exquisite sushi and sashimi to hotel guests and high-end clubbers. In fact, it's so good, some people just come for the dining experience without any intention of stepping foot on the dancefloor afterwards.
For those with more robust appetites, get your steak fill at Montauk. These are just two of the dining options at Ushuaïa. There's also The Beach by Ushuaïa for a more laid back vibe. Once you've sampled the menu, then you can enjoy Ushuaïa's world class clubbing programme.
Cova Santa Gastroclub & Mixology
San José
San José's green hilltops hold one of Ibiza's most stunning open-air dining and clubbing venues.
Steeped in history, Cova Santa is built around an ancient cave that once drew tourists from around the world. That legacy continues in the modern era with its day-to-night parties and beautifully executed menu.
The gorgeous restaurant cuts into the hillside and overlooks the dancefloor below. This means you can absorb the energy palpitating underneath, as you dine from a menu that journeys around the world.
From fresh oysters to 24 karat gold tomahawk steak and caviar to locally sourced pork ribs, you won't go hungry as the party unfolds before you.
Cova Santa is not shy on its incredible shows. As world class DJs play, take a moment to relax and digest. Fire breathers, acrobats and circus acts perform a further feast for your eyes.
O Beach
San Antonio
While O Beach may be best known for its carnival style pool parties, the beautiful alfresco day club also boasts its own restaurant, sat just alongside the buzzing dancefloor.
Offering a large selection of Mediterranean cuisine, along with fresh Poke bowls, large salads, burgers, seafood dishes and steaks, O Beach's team of chefs are masters at ensuring your stomachs are always full to the brim. If you have your own private area booked, you can even order food directly to you. Otherwise, grab one of the many tables.
Once you and your friends have cleaned your plates, the day and night are yours for the taking. The childhood rule of no swimming after eating goes out the window here. Get yourself straight in the pool or onto the dancefloor, so you don't miss a minute of the fun.
STK Ibiza
Marina Botafoch
Marina Botafoch plays host to some of the most glamorous venues, and international Steakhouse brand STK Ibiza sits at the top of this glittering list. Don’t be fooled however by the simple Steakhouse title, because this luxury venue is really anything but.
Its American heritage can be seen in every offering. From steaks to seafood, the menu is big and brassy, accompanied with a supersized cocktail list and bottle menu to boot. Fancy something a little different for dessert? Then why not take a look at the flavour filled shisha menu.
This unique venue bounces with pumping House tunes and high-octane performances and is definitely NOT for a quiet night out! With events running throughout the season and collaborations with world-class DJs and exotic performers, STK is the perfect place for dinner to turn into a full-blown party.
Lío Ibiza
Ibiza Marina
Well established as the Cabaret Queen of Ibiza, Lío truly does reign supreme from its port side setting of Marina Botafoch. Open every evening, bar Monday, Lio offers a decadent experience where the dress code reflects the elegant surroundings.
Its glamour all the way, so prepare to be dazzled as the stage is lit up with a different but equally captivating show every night. It's not just the cabaret that’s next level, the menu and the views are also something quite special. The Mediterranean menu is served with an innovative twist, that's accompanied beautifully with a stunning view of Ibiza Town's marina and old town Dalt Vila.
When the show stops the night doesn't end there. After dinner the stage becomes yours as the venue transforms into a nightclub until the early hours.
Beachouse
Playa d'en Bossa
Beachouse is a little slice of tropical shorefront heaven, located upon the sandy stretch of Playa d'en Bossa beach. With its stunning views upon the sun soaked beach, this really is the decadent beach destination the Ibiza chic call home.
With talented chefs behind the helm, you can enjoy a menu bursting with flavoursome Mediterranean delights as the waves - almost - lap your toes.
Although every night invites you to dine and with ambient DJ spinning in the background, Thursday nights are the shimmering peak of the week. Here Camilo Franco's wonderful BOHO events offer the ultimate dinner experience, where fashion, music and art all come together under one starry sky. We couldn't think of a better way to end the week, when music and moonlight meet.
D-Lounge | Destino
Cap Martinet
We can only nod our heads in agreement with the Destino Pacha Resort's self titled status, as the ultimate adult playground. Perched upon Cap Martinet, with views of the glittering Ibiza town and Formentera, this stunningly elegant venue plays host to hotel, pool, restaurant and nightclub.
Its alfresco, palm fringed D-Lounge however, is one of the island’s most opulent day-to-night dining experiences. Here you can enjoy a delicious menu of fresh island produce, meat and fish or an astounding array of sushi, while you sip on delicious cocktails and watch the lights in the city come alive.
D Lounge is Pacha baby after all, so the night could only be completed with top name DJs and infectious dance tunes to accompany the night sky. To maximise your dining and dancing, coincide your restaurant booking with one of Destino's big summer parties with the likes of Solomun or Marco Carola's Music On Daytime. They take turns playing the hotel's main stage on selected dates throughout summer - an experience you'll never forget.
Although Destino is limited to twelve big parties a summer, it has smaller scale parties daily, decanted into Sol (14:00 to 20:00 at poolside) and Luna (20:00 to midnight in D-Lounge).
Rio Ibiza
San Antonio
Located on the San Antonio harbour front, Rio Ibiza offers a swanky setting in this west side island spot. With a restaurant, bar and lounge across three floors, this multi-level venue is leading the way in the dine and dance revolution for San Antonio.
The ground floor open plan restaurant offers the perfect location to people watch, as you sip on one of the lush house cocktails. It’s from here you can also enjoy the international a la carte menu, or head upstairs to catch the night from a different vantage point.
From the rooftop terrace gaze out to sea and the sunset as you tuck into their grill barbecue menu, complemented with locally sourced fresh steaks and seafood. After the sun goes down, join the crowds on the dancefloor on the middle level and you've got the perfect night.
Playa Soleil
Playa d'en Bossa
Brand new for summer 2023 (and looking absolutely tip-top, we must say), is Playa Soleil - a collaborative effort between Alonso Marí Group, leisure and lifestyle venues group Vivir Descalzo and Ushuaïa Entertainment.
With executive chef Cristian Castañeda overseeing the gastronomic delights and The Night League programming the parties, no wonder Playa Soleil boasts being "an oasis of culinary and sonic adventure" - also making it a shoo-in for our 'Beats & Eats' article.
Weekly residencies come from Palmarama (Sundays) and Lee Burridge's All Day I Dream (Mondays), so here's a chance to catch some great DJs and their friends without paying for admission.
Music starts in the beach club's sheltered terrace area, Le Restaurant, before moving inside to indoor club space, Maison Musique for the final hours. As for the food, you can expect locally sourced, organic produce to form the backbone of the restaurant's menu.
Sure, we all have fond memories of Bora Bora from back in the day, but nothing lasts forever. In years to come, we'll be evangelising about Playa Soleil. That much we're certain.
Las Dalias Café
San Carlos
Adjoined to Ibiza's oldest music venue is Las Dalias Café. Part of the same building that also houses intimate club space Akasha, Las Dalias Café serves humble food at very reasonable prices. The fare is typically Mediterranean. You will find traditional favourites such as patatas bravas, croquetas, burrata salad and hummus with flatbreads, all done well.
The best part is you'll be pleasantly surprised when your bill arrives. A great way to tee-up a night on the dancefloor.
Nagai
Santa Eulalia
Nagai serves up some of the island's finest Asian fusion food. Created by globe-trotting chef, Reina Nagai, its classic Japanese dishes employ plenty of exciting Italian, Thai and Mediterranean touches to produce truly original flavours.
The restaurant also specialises in pioneering cocktails - perfect for loosening up before hitting the dance floor. What's more, Nagai offers its guests art, fashion and naturally - music. It's one of those cherished spots that really encapsulates Ibiza's bohemian harmony.
Rest assured, whether it's the regular sessions of live music on the terrace/dancefloor or its popular karaoke nights, Nagai is somewhere you can always be sure to shimmy.
Head here for more great dining experiences with music, or simply check out our full restaurant guide.
WORDS | by Hayley Morgan, Lissy Lübeck, Stephen Hunt, Tim Dackombe and Will McKenzie
HEADER IMAGE | by STK Ibiza
