From traditional Spanish cuisine to far-away gastronomy, with fantastic fusion dishes in between, Ibiza's restaurant scene has delivered a delicious summer fare. With seasoned chefs at the helm, creative menus using inventive techniques have delivered flavour-filled dishes, complemented by fresh island-grown ingredients, that we've been lucky enough to taste.
So, as we approach the end of the 2026 season, we'd like to share the dishes that made us sit back in awe - and secretly wish we could order a second one.
KT: The traditional paella is a dish that nearly every visitor will want to eat whilst on holiday in Ibiza. While you can get some very good ones, as an island resident, I have become a little more discerning and know what makes a really great one. This is where our seafood paella at Blau Sand by Ohana in Santa Eulalia has its moment to shine.
Cooked to perfection in a fantastic flavour-filled fish stock, the rice - beautifully al dente - was laden with fresh scallops, langoustine, and juicy red prawns. This was truly one of the most flavoursome paellas I have tried this summer.
Of course, the setting also adds to the experience, and a paella like this needs to be eaten by the sea. Luckily, at Blau Sands you can dine, feet in the sand, as you gaze out to the sparkling Mediterranean. True summer holiday vibes.
Read more about our afternoon at Blau Sands by Ohana here.
Hayley: Months on from this memorable lunch at the beautiful NoHo Beach Club on Ses Salinas beach, this dish is still one I rave about to this day. Listed simply as ‘fried sea bass’ on the menu, it was completely unexpected to see this wow-factor, tropical treat laid down before me. The sea bass remained wonderfully tender, beneath a light yet crisp, slightly curried tempura. The sauce continued the curry notes, but brought a zesty, fresh edge to the dish. It was divine.
Paired with the gentle sea breeze, laid-back vibe, and island energy that Noho Beach Club has crafted, it made for one of those dreamy Ibiza afternoons you wish would never end.
Read more about our afternoon at Noho Beach Club here.
Tim: Chowing on seafood near the shoreline is a favourite hobby of mine. And when the chance comes to get my teeth into a rare visitor to these shores, I grab it with both hands (literally in this case).
Blue Marlin Ibiza on Cala Jondal beach has long specialised in serving the best seafood, but this simple combo might be among the favourite dishes I have ever eaten. The huge, muscly king crab legs ooze with natural flavour and substance on their own, but it is the accompanying spicy ceviche, made from the brown body meat, which elevates this to the pinnacle of pescatarian perfection.
Read more about our afternoon at Blue Marlin Ibiza here.
Maria: The signature Black Cod Miso at Nobu Ibiza Bay on the Talamanca beachfront is one of those dishes that instantly won me over. This special cut of black cod has a higher natural fat marbling, which gives it an ultra‑soft, juicy texture that makes it famous for melting in the mouth - which it absolutely did. An extra layer of depth came from its miso marinade, adding an extra delicious richness. It’s the restaurant’s star dish, and I can personally vouch for it taking that top spot.
What adds to this is the incredible setting. It’s a beautiful open restaurant terrace, where the sea breeze keeps you cool, and the gorgeous Mediterranean sea is just a step away. The lovely and super friendly staff also deserve recognition, always making the experience here special.
See more about our afternoon at Nobu Ibiza Bay here.
Lissy: At Tigre Morado, on Port d'es Torrent beach, the Mejillones Nikkei (sautéed mussels) are listed among the starters, but they have enough substance to hold their own as a main. Plump, meaty, and perfectly cooked every time, they are served in a delicious garlic, coriander, buttery soup-like broth that begs to be mopped up to the very last drop with chunks of crusty bread.
It's a dish I’ve returned to the restaurant for many times.
It also does a great job of capturing the restaurant’s take on Nikkei cuisine, crafted with Japanese and Peruvian influences - which is well worth a deep dive into whilst you’re there.
Read more about our afternoon at Tigre Morado here.
Pete: I’m going to drop in some appetisers as my favourite dish of this year - a certain sea bass was already mentioned, and rightly so. For me, Nūn Ibiza delivered two standout starters I could eat every single day and never get bored.
Firstly, the wood-fired prawns were beautifully fresh and succulent, with just the right amount of smoky flavour from the fire, bathed in an aromatic tequila sauce infused with earthy cumin and spices. Next, the grilled squid with chimichurri sauce and fresh basil leaves was absolutely delicious.
Nūn Ibiza is set right on the Cala Llonga beach. Shaded by savinas, Juniper trees, that are dotted along its front, you can spend hours dining on its gorgeous open terrace, enjoying the beautiful views and a sea breeze. Even after dessert, we were reluctant to leave this blissful spot next to the sand.
Read more about our afternoon at Nūn Ibiza here.
Will: Located on the road to Sa Caleta and Cala Jondal beach, Jul’s has garnered an excellent reputation since its opening in 2018. This is thanks to its authentic farm-to-table menu, innovative approach to Greek cuisine, outstanding cocktails, and sleek interior design. So when the opportunity arose to review it, I jumped at it.
From start to finish, our meal was sublime, but if I had to choose just one mouth-watering standout dish, it would be the lobster risotto. Meaty and tender, the fresh lobster came in a rich, creamy broth, then enhanced by the addition of espresso and truffle oil. Finished with crispy buckwheat for that extra texture and bite, it was the jewel in the crown.
Read more about our evening at Jul's here.
Becky: Sushi is always a winner for me, so when I spotted the Sushi Pizzetta on our sharing board at Nikki Beach Ibiza, I knew it wouldn’t disappoint.
Delivering a tasty combination of salmon, tuna, mango, tobiko and spring onion, it was all held together in yummy, crispy rice parcels - with wakame salad, spicy mayo and guacamole for an extra touch. From the freshness of the fish to the sweetness of the mango, all the different flavours and textures complemented each other perfectly. It was one of those dishes where you just keep wanting more.
Nikki Beach is already a beautiful setting for a long lunch, but the attentive staff, great music, beachside setting, and lively atmosphere made it so much more than just a lunch.
See more about our afternoon at Nikki Beach Ibiza here.
Juan: As a passionate home cook, I immediately think of the tuna belly at 4FU3OS, the beachside restaurant at Nomâde Temple Ibiza, as my top-tier dish this summer. The buttery belly received a beautiful flame kiss from the fiery grill the menu is centered around, before being served over a Thai-inspired twist on the classic Spanish ajoblanco sauce. While it was light, it still delivered so much moreish flavour, and I loved the way it fused a traditional Spanish dish with a taste of Thailand.
4FU3GOS has one of the most spectacular settings. Almost built into the cliff face, the view leads out to a sparkling bay you could gaze at - or jump into, as we did - for hours.
Read more about our afternoon at 4FU3GOS here.
Check out all our Ibiza restaurant reviews for the full scoop on what kept the Spotlight team smiling this summer.
Header image | Tigre Morado
