Ibiza Insider's Guide: Local Cuisine

Ask any chef what they love most about cooking in Ibiza and they will all mention the abundance and quality of the produce.

Of course, excellent produce is the basis of excellent cuisine. Any stay in Ibiza must be accompanied by some of the island’s classic, traditional dishes. Whether a chef comes to your luxury Ibiza holiday villa or you venture out in search of chiringuitos serving up the best examples here are some dishes that you must, without fail, try.

Bullit de Peix and Arroz a Banda

These dishes were traditionally prepared by fishermen on their llaüts (typical Ibizan fishing boats) as a way to satiate their hunger and to use up the ‘ugly’ fish they couldn’t sell. This first part of this dish is fish simmered with potatoes, saffron and perhaps a bit of wine. Not wanting to waste anything, rice is then boiled up in the broth and served as a second course.

Arroz de matanzas 

Every winter in Ibiza families gather for the Matanzas. Translating to slaughter, it’s the time of year when the family pig has reached its prime condition and is killed and processed, using every part. It’s a big job and the whole family including cousins, aunts and uncles are enlisted to help. Chops are cut, sausages are filled, ribs are sliced and while the work is happening a team of men will be preparing a massive pan with onions, peppers, garlic and any number of other ingredients for the arroz de matanzas. Each village has their own distinctive recipe and the festival that accompanies it is not to be missed.

Sobrasada

This is a spicy, red sausage that is usually prepared at the same time as the matanza. A pork sausage with paprika, the sobrasada is a mainstay of Ibizan cuisine and chopped up on a slice of toast, it’s pure heaven on a plate.

Pan con tomate

Europeans don’t tend to do breakfast the same way as others. Pan con tomate (bread with tomato) served up with a cafe con leche (coffee with milk) or a carrajillo (espresso with a dash of brandy) is the classic island brekkie.

Ensalada payesa

Potatoes sautéed with red peppers, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, onions and a serious dose of olive oil. Ibiza grows some of the best potatoes in the world and this is one of the finest ways to eat them.