Dining and Drinking

Ibiza has a wide range of options for those not interested in the club scene. There are plenty of bars where you can simply talk—with no music blaring—and have a drink. The nightlife districts, aside from the clubs, are mainly in the Puerto de Ibiza (Port of Ibiza)—also known as "La Marina"— and the West End of San Antonio. The former is full of bars, each of which forms a world unto itself. They tend to be small, quirkily decorated, and serve drinks at a more reasonable price than the clubs, where you might think vodka were more precious than gold. Summer nights are also full of people attracted to the characteristic restaurants and the nearby hippy fleamarket. In the West End, be advised: this is where hooligans (drunk tourists) make trouble, often fighting or provoking problems for the police on summer nights. Perhaps this is not surprising, given that this is where people go on pub-crawls, and get very drunk. However, if you just feel like going for a drink in one of these places, it doesn't mean you will end up in trouble. In fact, we recommend visiting a few, including the popular and recently opened Ground Zero.

Ibiza, along with Sitges, is a prime destination for many gays in Europe, which gives you an idea of how open and accepting the city is. There are, in fact, several areas on the island popular with gay visitors who are not by any means hidden away in a ghetto. In Puerto de Ibiza, for example, is the Calle de la Virgen, which boasts some 30 bars sporting the rainbow flag (the gay symbol), including: Bar Teatro and the Dome. Having a drink here is a very fun and lively experience for anybody, given the presence of drag queens, who parade up and down the street in feather boas and 6-inch heels.

As far as restaurants are concerned, you must understand that traditional "Ibicenca" food and international cuisine live side by side in perfect harmony. The tourist boom in the 60s brought pizzerias, hamburger joints and so on, and this has all mushroomed since then. In Ibiza you can now try food from many different countries in the world, including Argentinian cuisine at La Vaca Argentina and Mexican atTijuana. But, even if it's just once, you must try an island specialty while here, such as "bullit de peix", a delicious fish specialty, or the "borrida de rajada"; and don't forget dessert: "flaó" (cream tart with fresh chees, eggs, and mint) and "graixonera".

There is a wide choice of tapas bars, like Scenicus .

There is an amazing choice of restaurants and you can always find one within your price range. Some of the island's best offers are a bit far from the tourist hubs, but it's worth it to hop in a taxi and try what's on offer.

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