Situated on the famous Vara de Rey square, just a short stroll from Ibiza Town’s bustling port, this charming restaurant embodies the spirit of home cooking in an act of love, sharing, tradition, and creativity. It's a chance to gather family and friends around the table, to savour a dish made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and to experience the authentic flavours of Spanish gastronomy.
La Cava is a place that you will want to visit time and time again, whether it’s for breakfast, a cold drink in the afternoon or a blow-out dinner with cocktails in the evening. The recipe – a top location, a welcoming ambience, a great variety of food to share, and friendly service.
Needless to say, we couldn’t resist the offer of a cocktail to start.
We chose the fruity ‘Spicy Mango’, boasting an interesting fusion of Bacardi spiced rum, mango purée, lime juice, cinnamon and chilli. The light and refreshing ‘Hugo’ was fuelled by elderflower liquor, cava, lime juice, soda top and almond syrup, and to complete our trio we had a classic ‘Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri’.
Those who prefer a refreshing G&T also have plenty of choices available, with a wide range of gin brands on the menu.
La Cava offers a modern and accessible take on traditional Spanish tapas, and so we decided to sample a variety of sharing dishes among the three of us. However, while 'tapas' typically describe small appetisers or snacks, the portion sizes at La Cava are generous – something to keep in mind to avoid over-ordering!
We had arrived hungry, so felt confident we could tackle a hearty selection of tapas and some main dishes.
As expected, we began our dinner with the traditional Spanish tapas of croquettes. They were very light and creamy. The ham croquettes, a staple, and leek croquettes were a delightful surprise. We had never tried leek croquettes before and absolutely loved them.
To do the variety of the menu justice, we had chosen a few more iconic Spanish dishes of crispy battered ‘calamari’ squid rings prepared with tempura batter for a lighter texture. A Spanish omelette topped with savoury Iberian ham - a subtle and flavourful combination - and a ceviche that came beautifully presented wowed us with their contrasting flavours and textures.
The fresh sea bass ceviche, with all the traditional ingredients, sweet potato, corn, and a delicious citrus marinade, was vibrant, light, and spicy.
It wasn’t long before the next round of dishes arrived. The Black Angus sirloin, cooked on the Josper grill, was a delight for the senses. The meat, with its crispy exterior and pink interior, melted in our mouths. The roasted potatoes and peppers complemented this dish perfectly.
The filet mignon steak tartare, made with fresh, hand-chopped meat, was a symphony of flavours. The combination of the meat, cured egg yolk, capers, and spices, all served on crispy toast, was pure pleasure for the palate.
We washed down all this delicious goodness with a bottle of fragrant STUDIO by Miraval, a refreshing rosé from Provence, known for its fruity notes and association with celebrity owners Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
And now, for the grand finale: dessert!
‘Basque cheesecake’, with its creamy heart and crunchy base, had us in raptures. But if there was one dessert that won us over, it was the ‘Torrija’. The combination of brioche soaked in milk, caramel topping, and dulce de leche ice cream was a true symphony of flavours. And to finish, the ‘Teja’, thin and delicate, was the perfect touch for this sweet ending.
We couldn't try the gambas al ajillo, the Black Angus sandwich, or the burrata this time, but they looked amazing. We can't wait to come back and give them a try!
Part of the renowned Mambo Group, La Cava is one of those ‘great little places’ we love to know and share with our nearest and dearest. With an enviable terrace and a spacious interior, this restaurant is the perfect place to relax and savour authentic Spanish cuisine year-round.
So, if you would like to enjoy some time relaxing, people watching and enjoying authentic Spanish dishes, visit www.lacavaibiza.com to book a table.
