Formentera: the best bars and restaurants on Ibiza's sister island

Formentera has grown up, says Chloe Sachdev
Swish: 10.7 bar on Formentera
Chloe Sachdev18 May 2017

No longer just Ibiza’s little sister, Formentera has grown up. With more than just beautiful beaches and ramshackle chiringuitos to its name, the tiny Balearic island of Formentera has shed its identity as just a hippie hideaway off Ibiza.

For better or for worse, it now has a booming bar and dining scene, from sandy beach bars to Michelin starred dining. Expect to eat, drink, swim repeat.

Although a mere 45 minutes by ferry from Ibiza, Formentera has always had a distinct identity.

No matter what you do, you’ll do it salty and fancy-free. Days are wonderfully, inevitably, spent hopping between the chiringuitos that dot the vast stretches of white sand. But these days, you’re as likely to elbow rub with supermodels as you are with free-loving locals.

Where to eat

Surprisingly, it’s Formentera that has captured the first Michelin star for the Pitiusas (as it and Ibiza are collectively known). Can Dani is a charming and unassuming restaurant (open all year), which punches above its weight with its creative seasonal menu of exploding Bloody Mary tomatoes, fried octopus with ‘beach herbs’ and cuttlefish rice.

Can Dani

If you want to eat with your toes in the sand, head to Beso Beach and let the afternoon escape you. The definition of ‘boho chic’ – a palm thatched roof and a sandy floor – the restaurant blends seamlessly with Illetes beach. The menu is by Carles Abellan, a Catalan chef who spent 15 years at El Bulli. It's all excellent and the paella is a must.

Paella at Beso Beach

Or, if you want to dine with the yacht-set, Juan Y Andrea is for you. Away from the beaches, Sant Francesc, the island's main hub, is brimming with an abundance of cafes, restaurants and seasoned locals. Standouts include Ca Na Pepa for breakfast and Can Carlos cancarlos.com for romantic dinners.

Juan y Andrea

Where to drink

Kiosks, chiringuitos, beach shacks… Formentera reigns supreme when it comes to seemingly ad hoc beach bars, serving up crowd-pleasing swim-up style classics. Take in the turquoise waters and ruddy red cliffs, pina colada in hand, at Kiosk Cala Saona. Skip the chi chi crowd of Gecko Beach Club and walk a little further down the beach instead to Kiosko 62 for boozy lemonades between dips. Piratabus on Playa Mitgjorn is an island institution and one of the best spots to enjoy the puesta del sol.

Kiosk 62

Take it up a notch with swish magnums of champagne and fresh platters of sashimi and head to 10.7. Or, for something cheekier, head to Flipper & Chiller, which is owned by Nacho Vidal, Spain's most famous porn star. Finally for an ‘expect-the-unexpected’ beach-bar experience, Blue Bar is a must. An all-blue, trippy, nonsensical, alien themed bar. Only in Formentera.

Flipper & Chiller

Chloe Sachdev is a freelance travel writer. Follow her on Instagram @chloesachdev

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