La Paloma

It seems the mydestination Ibiza team are not the only ones to think so, as La Paloma is always pulling in vast numbers of tourists and locals from all over the island. The story behind this place is as remarkable as its excellent product. It was opened in 2004 by a mother and daughter duo from Italy who, despite their passion for cooking, had virtually no restaurant experience before. Through their own concoction of friendly service, careful sourcing of ingredients and magical work in the kitchen, La Paloma was immediately onto a winner and has since expanded the eating area and opened a café.

The building that houses La Paloma is full of character, especially when the fire is lit, but is generally only used in the winter. For the warmer months, the beautiful garden terrace is used, which provides a lovely environment in which to dine, far away from any traffic or noise out with the restaurant. The furniture is simple and unfussy, generating a relaxed and rather homely atmosphere. It certainly is a pleasant experience for anyone, from romantic couples to large parties and families. However, to truly understand the ethos of La Paloma, you must try the food. It is only then that one can appreciate the lengths that go into creating each dish, and the ardour of the staff here.

The menu is continually changing and evolving, although many of the starters, including favourites such as Cod Fish Cakes and Tuna Tataki, always remain. The ever-popular Fillet Steak is also a permanent feature, but the rest of the main courses vary depending on availability and season, with massive emphasis on fresh, high-quality produce. 90% of the vegetables are supplied by La Paloma’s own garden and the organic bread is baked fresh daily onsite. It all goes into some superb creations such as the risottos and pastas, which combine the home-grown ingredients with the best cheeses and fresh pasta from Italy. I recommend leaving some space for dessert if possible, as the Chocolate Fondant is to die for, served with delicious ice-cream.