Studies have shown that people who follow the Mediterranean diet have a longer life expectancy and a lower incidence of chronic diseases. Approximately 65% of the population of the Balearic Islands follows the Mediterranean diet to varying degrees.
Fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish, seafood… All these foods are part of the island’s great gastronomic offer. Traditional dishes combine fresh ingredients from the sea and the land, creating a unique culinary experience.
From the Welcome Ibiza guide we wanted to compile the most famous and typical dishes of the White Isle. Make a note of this menu for your next stop in Ibiza. We hope you like it!
Ibizan gastronomy: a melting pot of Mediterranean flavours
The Arab, Catalan and other Mediterranean influences can be appreciated in the flavours and cooking techniques that make Ibizan gastronomy a melting pot of unique flavours.
Ibiza’s gastronomy is a reflection of its rich cultural heritage and its privileged location on the Mediterranean Sea.
In Ibiza you can find a wide variety of dishes. Ibiza is tailored to your tastes. Fish? The best in the Mediterranean. Vegetables? Harvested from the urban gardens themselves. Are you more of a sweet tooth? Get ready to taste the best desserts you’ve ever tasted.
Ibiza's desserts that you must try
Let’s start this guide at the end. For the most typical desserts. If you have a sweet tooth… Your mouth will start to water with the following dishes. Get your coffee or tea ready, the following desserts are the perfect accompaniment.
Flaó
If you want to try a traditional dessert, this is THE DESSERT. That’s right, in capital letters. Flaó is emblematic of Ibiza’s gastronomy.
This is a fresh cheese and mint tart, the recipe for which dates back to medieval times. This delicious pie stands out for its contrast between the sweetness of the filling and the freshness of the mint, making it a perfect end to any meal.
Greixonera
Greixonera is another traditional dessert that you can’t miss. It is a pudding made from the previous day’s ensaimadas, milk, eggs and sugar.
Its smooth texture and cinnamon flavour make it irresistible, a perfect example of how Ibicencans make the most of the ingredients available to create culinary delights.
Orelletes
Orelletes are small fried biscuits in the shape of an ear, hence their name. They are made with a dough of flour, eggs, aniseed and sugar, and fried until crispy.
They are perfect with coffee or tea and are very popular during local festivities.
Other typical sweets from Ibiza
- Bunyols: dipped in honey or sugar. They are especially popular during local festivals and fairs, and their sweet taste and light texture make them an irresistible treat.
- Macarrones de Sant Joan: These cakes are typical of the festival of Sant Joan and are made with a mixture of dough, almonds, sugar and cinnamon.
- Ibicencan muffins: Unlike conventional muffins, Ibicencan muffins have a special touch of almonds that gives them a characteristic flavour.
Where to buy typical Ibiza sweets?
To enjoy these typical sweets, you can visit the island’s many bakeries and local markets. In addition, many restaurants also include these sweets on their menus, allowing you to try them in an authentic setting.
Pastelería La Canela
- Location: Platja Cala Salada, Camí Cala Salada, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany, Balearic Islands
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 06:30 to 20:30. Sundays from 07:00 to 15:00
Ibiza a granel (market)
- Location: Carrer de Canàries, 5A, 07800 Eivissa, Illes Balears
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 14:00
Typical Ibiza drinks
With so much food, you’ll be a little thirsty, won’t you? Here we leave you with some of Ibiza’s most typical drinks.
Ibizan herb liqueur
Ibizan herb liqueur is a traditional drink made from a mixture of local herbs macerated in alcohol. Its intense and aromatic flavour is the result of the combination of aniseed, thyme, rosemary and other local herbs. It is usually consumed as a digestive after meals.
Frígola
Frígola is another typical liqueur from Ibiza, made with wild thyme (thymus vulgaris). This sweet and aromatic liqueur is prized for its distinctive flavour and is served chilled as an aperitif or digestif.
Palo
Palo is a bitter liqueur made from cinchona bark and gentian, mixed with sugar and alcohol. Its origin dates back to the 19th century and it is mainly consumed as an aperitif due to its digestive properties.
Café caleta
Café caleta is a hot drink that combines coffee, rum, brandy, sugar and lemon rind. Traditionally, it is prepared in a clay pot and served during feasts and family gatherings. Its strong and comforting taste makes it a perfect drink for cooler summer evenings.
Herbs with lemonade
A refreshing version of the traditional herbal liqueur is mixed with lemonade. This drink, known as “hierbas con limonada”, is ideal for hot summer days and offers a light and refreshing way to enjoy the characteristic taste of Ibicencan herbs.
Typical dishes from Ibiza that you can't miss
Now it’s time to get to know the most typical dishes of the White Isle. Those that are on all the menus of the best-known restaurants in the area. The ones that make locals and tourists fall in love through their stomachs.
Bullit de peix
Bullit de peix is a stewed fish dish typical of Ibiza. It is made with fresh fish, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and a mixture of herbs and spices. It is served with arroz a banda, which is cooked in the broth resulting from the stew, creating an intense and delicious combination of flavours.
Sofrit pagès
Sofrit pagès is a hearty dish that combines lamb, chicken, pork and sobrassada with potatoes, garlic, peppers and other vegetables. It is a traditional Ibicencan rural cuisine, ideal for winter days.
Borrida de rajada
Borrida de rajada is an ointment of skate, a type of fish, which is cooked with potatoes, garlic, parsley, almonds and saffron. This dish has a delicate flavour and is a true gem of Ibiza’s seafood cuisine.
Payesa salad
The ensalada payesa is a typical island salad made with potatoes, peppers, onions, tomatoes and crumbled dried fish. Dressed with olive oil and vinegar, it is a refreshing and nutritious dish, perfect for hot summer days.
Tips to make the most of Ibiza's gastronomy
Do you want to enjoy the typical gastronomy of Ibiza to the full? Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations from friends who have been to the island, consult our blog with our recommendations, visit the traditional markets where, as well as buying, you can try them in situ.
Enjoy your meal!
