A beachside restaurant, sometimes of brick and mortar but more traditionally a wood shack serving up everything from fine dining dishes to ice creams and crisps. The word is said to come from the 19th century sugar cane fields of Cuba. Workers would take a coffee break filtering the thick black liquid through a sock so that a small stream of coffee, or chiringo, would fill their cup. Some enterprising souls eventually built makeshift coffee shacks which were dubbed chiringuitos, or to translate directly, little streams.
Today in Ibiza the chiringuito is an institution with people fiercely protective of their favourites, often picking the beach not for the beauty of the view but for the delicious offerings of its chiringuito.
Being a hive of hedonism, Ibiza understandably took the concept of the chiringuito to its ultimate incarnation. The modern day beach clubs owe a lot to those old Ibicenco families who, back in the day, would cook up their daily catch and serve it out of a wood shack for the local fishermen.
Some of those families are still serving up delicious seafood, paellas, stews and other traditional dishes to the delight of locals and visitors alike while newer eateries are offering up everything from gourmet sandwiches to Asian fusion creations.
There are many famous and wonderful chiringuitos to try close to Ibiza beach villas. At Aguas Blancas you can get Argentinian style sandwiches that are supremely satisfying; El Bigote in Cala Mastella requires an advance booking and has no menu – you eat what you’re served! Ses Boques in Es Cubells serves up authenticity with an exceptional view (must-try – the boquerones) while Es Torrent in Porroig is seafood heaven overlooking a glistening bay.
Ibiza is spoiled for choice when it comes to the chiringuito’s modern day descendent, the beach club, the only thing to do is try them all. The classic, of course, is El Chiringuito on Es Cavallet, then there’s the freshness of Atzaro Beach at Cala Nova, Sa Trinxa at Salinas for funky beats, Blue Marlin for glam, Cotton Beach Club for sleek chic and Experimental Beach Ibiza for the best cocktails.