Once considered the landing spot in San Antonio for mainly British tourists, ‘the Bay’, starting at the small beach of Es Pouet and continuing all the way to Port d’es Torrent, has undergone much regeneration in recent years, and become a culinary destination in its own right.
The best feature of this 2.5km extended area of San Antonio, taking in the coves of Cala de Bou and Playa Pinet, is its stunning coastline. Great sunset viewpoints from the many coves and beaches mean you can marvel at the changing night sky whilst you eat or enjoy the vivid colours on a post-dinner stroll.
A recent injection of cash by investors, fuelling improvements in the Bay, has seen the creation of new restaurants and the renovation of many older established premises.
San Antonio Bay not only offers a diversity of styles but also price points. From budget to high-end, traditional Spanish to Asian cuisine, family to casual dining, the Bay really does have a little bit of everything. Here is a roundup of our favourite recommendations:
BUDGET
Liberties Smokehouse and Grill offers a budget-friendly menu upon its perfectly placed people-watching terrace. Brunch is served in the mornings, so even late risers can get a great feed - including vegan options - for under €10. Dinner is where it really comes into its own though: in the afternoon, the grill lights up and you can enjoy succulent-flavoured chicken and fillet steaks.
Near to Playa Pinet, Cool Cafe is the perfect pit stop for the health-conscious early riser. Here you can grab a coffee and freshly baked sweet treat from the counter to start your day off on a high. Their lunch menu offers a big selection, but it’s the Menu del Dia that often steals the show. How can you go wrong with home-cooked paella and a glass of vino for only €10?
Pizza lovers will be delighted by the choice on the bay, with two of the island’s best ovens along this stretch. Ausonia Pizza Bar and El Kiosko both reign supreme when it comes to wood fire, home-baked pizzas topped with fresh ingredients.
Ausonia Pizza Bar is the first one you will encounter. Apart from superb thin-base pizzas, the restaurant also offers a wide selection of delicious Italian dishes, if pizza isn’t your thing.
El Kiosko is a little further along and probably wins on atmosphere. With its brightly coloured stone walls and open-plan dining space, this little roadside rebel is hard to miss. Very popular, you will find it buzzing with customers come early evening.
Curry Palace
If you need a little more heat on these balmy summer evenings, then Curry Palace is an absolute must. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of its outside terrace as its heavenly and hearty menu makes up for its lack of decorative frills. A wide selection of traditional Indian dishes is on offer - all packed full of flavour. We’d advise choosing your spice rating carefully because they don’t scrimp on the heat!
Kumharas
Not strictly speaking a restaurant but still a great venue, Kumharas is a little hippy hangout with a sunset viewpoint that's hard to beat. This beachside gem steals the show every evening and offers something a little different to the norm - a street-food court filled with a range of international delicacies. All reasonably priced and freshly cooked as you wait, you can grab a tasty bite before plonking yourself before the most spectacular of Ibiza sunsets.
Contra Vent
The final leg of our budget journey leads us to Contra Vent, on the upper bay road. This restaurant is open all year and is very popular with the locals for its great value daily menu and generous portions. You can get everything from tasty tapas to traditional Ibizan specialities that you can order a la carte. Also, there is a car park just across the road.
MID-RANGE
Health food lovers will adore the universally loved Natural Pau at Es Pueto. The garden setting is perfect for enjoying amazing salads, nutritious bowls, pizzas and grills, all washed down with healthy juices for prices that will make you smile. As will the friendly service.
Relish
With its chilled hangout pool and relaxed lounge dining area, Relish comes in as one of the coolest spots in the Bay. Offering an extensive menu of intriguing tapas creations, it's no wonder it’s such a well-loved home from home. But let's not only focus on the tapas, otherwise, the hearty mains, delicious desserts, cocktails and always popular Sunday Roasts won’t get a look in.
A little further down the road, Little India is a home-cooked, fully flavoured curry hot spot. Head Chef Vipula grows, picks and dries the herbs and spices that go into these dishes - you can truly taste the difference, and that is also the reason it sits in the mid-price bracket.
Johnny's Burger Bar
Along the same stretch, Johnny's Burger Bar serves up some of the Bay’s meanest meat mountains. With a wide selection of toppings and sauces, you can enjoy your burger pretty much any which way, from their open terrace. Veggie and vegan options are also available across the menu.
New kid on the block, Que Pasa? has already got the Bay talking. Offering a world flavours menu, with a strong Lebanese kick, everything from the flatbreads and hummus to the 'Quebab' spice blend mix is home and handmade. The simple menu will please meat-eaters, while vegans and those fussy little ones are all catered well for here. The signature cocktail menu is worth exploring.
Kinomi produces excellent Japanese home cooking and sushi at very reasonable prices. The owners are very friendly, so don’t hesitate to ask for their recommendations. If you want to try tasty and authentic Japanese food on a tight budget, then make your way to Carrer de la Corunya.
Es Pueto
Heading back to the coast, why not take in a super sunset as the backdrop to your beachfront meal? Es Pueto is a famed sunset dining experience. Choose from the fresh fish menu, served on big plates with chips and salad, while you sip on a cool beer or vino tinto. This is no frills, plastic chairs, fingers in food, feet in sand authenticity and well worth the visit.
Es Virot
Slightly more upmarket, Es Virot serves some of the best seafood in Cala de Bou, and has the perfect location to enjoy it, right on the water’s edge. Looking for the perfect lunch? Aim for the titular Es Virot paella, with prawns and crab, for the ultimate holiday feeling.
HIGH end
Pom Thai (on the top bay road) serves up some of the finest, most authentic Thai food on the island. The classy outside dining is beautifully set up so you can crunch on your prawn crackers poolside, whilst enjoying the summer breeze. With spicy curries, Chef’s specials, and a great selection of starters, Pom Thai satisfies any Asian food lover's cravings.
At the very end of the Bay, our two final recommendations can be found.
Taste of Can Salia
Taste of Can Salia is a Mediterranean dining experience that focuses on sustainability and conscious cuisine. The natural cycles and seasons of produce are respected and honoured on the menu and in the dishes they create. Sundown cocktails can be enjoyed upon the Sky of Salia roof terrace before the feast begins.
Just a hop, skip and a jump from Can Salia, Can Pujol holds one of the island’s finest beachfront vantage points. Founded in the 1980s, its enduring popularity is due to perfecting the freshest Mediterranean seafood dishes, and you’ll find tourists and Ibizan families returning year after year. Sitting at the higher end of the budget scale, but with the wonderful views and gastronomic delights it serves, it’s deservedly on point.
El Gallo Viejo
And finally, a restaurant that once upon a time enjoyed uninterrupted views of the bay, El Gallo Viejo - also known as The Old Cock - dates back to the late 50s, and is well-known for its excellent meat and fresh fish. With a spacious terrace, you'll be guaranteed a wonderful dining experience in a charming atmosphere. Make sure you go inside to view the photos dating back to its beginnings.
For even more restaurant ideas, check out our choice of restaurants in San Antonio Bay and find our full restaurant guide here.
