You don’t have to fit into a party-going stereotype to enjoy Ibiza and these days the island has a growing number of vegan attractions to make it all the more welcoming to visit.
Tess Prince is your guide to island life, just remember to pack your shades and sunblock – a hipster beard is optional!
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Despite Ibiza’s reputation for being the party capital of the world, this jewel in the Balearic crown is quickly becoming a vegan food lover’s paradise.
The island’s bohemian roots were established back in the hippy ’60s and have become the basis of the island’s new wave culture for conscious living and sustainable lifestyle. With an abundance of incredible eateries to choose from, many with their own organic kitchen gardens, there is certainly no lack of choice today.
This year the island has hosted monthly vegan festivals as well as weekly artisan food markets, vegan pop-ups, workshops and a whole array of wellness retreats.
There is undoubtedly a food revolution going on and the ethos and spirit of Ibiza is now catching the attention of the world’s media for all the right reasons.
Top 10 vegan restaurants in Ibiza
Wild Beets
Located in the heart of the island, Wild Beets presents a creative and conscious fusion of raw goodness and wonderful warm plates. The signature dish is their beet ravioli, an outstanding plate of wafer-thin marinated beetroot filled with an unbelievable cashew cheese.
Other raw mains include ‘sun-wiches’, wraps, tacos and kelp noodles, while cooked options include veggie burgers, quinoa and brown rice bowls – all washed down with healthy elixirs and juices. And their raw desserts are a beauty to behold too.
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Aubergine
This idyllic restaurant is set in a 400-year-old restored finca and is the perfect balance of rustic and chic. This eco-conscious venue features it’s own vegetable garden that facilitates their farm-to-table philosophy represented by a continually evolving seasonal menu.
You will find wonderful Buddha bowls packed full of colour and textures or tuck into the aubergine salad with pumpkin, roasted tomatoes and vinaigrette. A must go to.
Nude
New for 2017 and located in a leafy square in the centre of Ibiza town, Nude Café serves a great selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes using seasonal organic ingredients.
Nude is getting a good reputation for serving the coldest craft beers and ciders on the island, so take advantage of the daily ‘happy hour’ from 7-9pm alongside their Pintxos Thursdays that pull in the hipster crowds. And for a pick-me-up, try the ecological coffee – it’s sensational.
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Can Guimo
This charming gem is half concealed by a weeping willow – blink and you’ll miss it! Serving fresh homemade vegan and vegetarian food with a focus on traditional Brazilian cooking, Guimo is renowned for their ‘Tapioca’, a gluten-free, crepe-like pancake made with yucca flour filled with quinoa and sunblushed tomatoes.
Also check out the super food acai bowls topped with fresh fruits and homemade granola. A perfect pre-beach go to.
La Paloma
Nestled in a grove of citrus trees with heavenly countryside views, this family run restaurant is truly special. Adding to its charm is the on-site kitchen garden that provides the freshest organic produce. The cafe menu is dotted with flavours from the Middle East, Asia and North Africa – look out for the falafels, just divine.
The evening takes on a more Italian style with kamut pasta with seaweed, lemon and parsley – bookings are strongly advised for this special experience.
Passion
Predominately vegan and vegetarian with a few flexitarian options, Passion has six lovely locations spread across the island. Renowned for their healthy breakfasts, enjoy the Passion Porridge made with chia, oats, Medjool dates, coconut cream, poached pears and maple syrup alongside toasted coconut bread and butter, all washed down with a rose water latte and super food mocha.
Look out for their Passion Pantry too, a pit stop café juicery where you can grab a fantastic selection of portion size deli pots, organic groceries and cold pressed juices to go – ideal for your beach picnic.
Eat Is Life
A great lunchtime find if you are looking for fast but healthy food. This ecological restaurant offers made on the day (Ottolenghi style) vegetarian/vegan food to eat in or take away.
For around 12 euros you can have a ‘balanced plate’ comprising of a protein option, gluten-free carb and a selection of deliciously fresh salads. Look out for super healthy homemade cakes and bakes on offer too.
Caos
Positioned on the seafront of Santa Eulària, this vegetarian/vegan restaurant has a relaxed vibe with an ecologically minded ethos. Dishes are freshly prepared to order with produce that has been responsibly sourced – the friendly staff proudly claim is km zero.
Popular choices are the vegan burritos, raw courgetti with mint and coriander pesto and red pepper crisp. Try the guacamole – it’s the best on the island!
Ecocentro
A bio-vegetarian restaurant set inside a traditional farmhouse that offers a fantastic selection of vegan food with a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean influences. Their produce comes from local certified organic farms, with the innovative menus changed on a daily basis.
Examples include tofu and spirulina mini burgers with sauté onions and many fabulous desserts. It has a deli store with organic food, natural cosmetics and hosts events and live music.
Handy Phrases
As we know, it’s always wise to be familiar with the basics when it comes to making sure you get what you order. Naturally, the Spanish are used to English tourists and especially in the cities and more touristic areas you’ll find that pretty much everywhere you go will be English-friendly.
- Hello – Hola
- Goodbye – Adios
- Thank you – Gracias
- I am vegan – soy vegano/vegana
- I don’t eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy – no como carne, pescado, heuvos, lactose
- With soya milk please – con leche de soya por favor
- Without milk – sin leche
- Without cheese – sin queso
It is recommended that you listen to the phrases via a translation app so you can hear how the words are pronounced.
Special events
Casita Verde
In one of the most idyllic settings, Casita Verde is a sustainable living and permaculture eco project open to the public every Sunday for vegetarian/vegan lunches followed by a tour of eco dwellings including a tree house, bottle house and a magic cave. A great family day out.
Forada Market
Every Saturday on the road between San Rafael and Santa Ines, this friendly market offers locally grown vegetables, craft beer, organic wine, bread, cakes and natural health products. Live music and very children friendly.
Workshops and Pop-Ups
Café Meke
Meke host all kinds of workshops from fermentation, organic açai bowl making sessions to fantastic vegan pop-up supper clubs featuring the islands best guest chefs along with biodynamic wine parings.
Sights to see
You can of course just sit and stare blissfully out to sea, but there are plenty of highlights to see on the island…
- Es Vedra The most spiritual natural wonder of Ibiza.
- Dalt Vila Wander around the ancient cobbled streets of this World Heritage site.
- Benirrás Watch the Sunday Bongo players, a true spectacle.
- The sunsets Try Sunset Ashram at Cala Conte or Hostel Torres in San Antonio.
- Las Dalias Hippy Market Saturday daytime year round plus night markets on Sunday, Monday and Wednesdays during the summer.
Don’t forget to check out Isango! for any trips you want to book in advance.
Events & festivals
1st October Spirit festival
At the stunning ATZARO agroturismo. From sunrise to sunset there will be creative dance, inspirational workshops, alternative therapies, yoga classes art, music and healing sounds and of course there will be delicious vegan food and drinks. Not to be missed!
Photo credit: © James Chapman Photography.
Tess Prince is a food writer and Food Editor of IUmag and also runs her own vibrant foodie website www.lovefoodibiza.com. She lives on Ibiza and is passionate about island produce, recipe development and spreading the food love! You can find out more by following Tess online on Instagram @lovefoodibiza, Facebook @lovefoodibiza and Twitter @lovefoodibiza_.
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