Restaurant El Carmen

Absolutely incredible experience. The food, the staff, and the view were all perfect. You can tell they put real love into every dish, and they went above and beyond to accommodate gluten free needs, which made such a difference. We ordered the octopus, the melon and ham, and the seafood paella, and the seafood paella was easily the best paella I’ve have had in a long time. The quality of everything was unmatched, and the staff were so warm and helpful throughout. Truly one of those rare spots where everything comes together. Highly recommend!

Ordered an entire paella for myself and didn't even care about the price because it was worth every penny. Got the fish and seafood paella and literally only packed up the remainder in a small to-go box because I didn't want them to look at me crazy had I eaten the whole thing. I could have easily eaten it all though because it was that tasty. *tip: make sure you squeeze those fresh lemons 🍋 on there to activate the flavors!

This is the one spot I always come back to every time I’m in Ibiza. I’ll be honest — I’ve barely tried anything else on the menu because I always end up ordering the same two things: Octopus with potatoes — perfectly boiled, tender but not mushy, dressed with olive oil, smoked paprika, and a sprinkle of coarse Ibiza sea salt. It’s simple, but flawless. I haven’t found a better version anywhere else in Spain. And the paella? Easily among the best on the island — rich in flavor, satisfying, and cooked just right. Prices aren’t low, but the quality and location justify it. Just a heads-up: summer gets crazy busy, so book at least 2–3 days in advance. Next time I’ll try to explore the rest of the menu… maybe. Highly, highly recommended.

✨🍷 Restaurant Review: El Carmen 🐚🌅 If you’re looking for an authentic Spanish dining experience with stunning sea views, relaxed local vibes, and truly delicious food — Restaurant El Carmen is a must-visit when you’re in Spain! 🇪🇸🍽️ 🍴 Dishes I tried and absolutely loved: 🥖 Starters (Tapas / Entrantes): 1. 🦪 Mejillones al vapor (Steamed mussels in wine or sauce) Huge, fresh mussels served in hot, flavorful broth. The aroma of the sea in every bite! I soaked up every drop with bread — it felt like a comforting dish made by grandma 💕 2. 🌶️ Pimientos de Padrón (Fried Padrón peppers) Fried in olive oil, lightly salted. Some were spicy, some mild — each bite was a surprise! 🥵🌿 Hot, salty, and totally addictive. 3. 🐙 Pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus) Tender octopus over soft potatoes, sprinkled with paprika and drizzled with olive oil. Rich and flavorful, and it paired perfectly with red wine 🍷😋 🍚 Main Course: • 🇪🇸 Paella (Traditional Spanish rice dish) This is the soul of Spanish cuisine! Even though I usually don’t enjoy al dente rice (Asian habit 😅), this paella changed my mind completely. Flavors were deep, ingredients fresh — absolutely perfect! 🌾🦐 📍 Location & Vibe: The restaurant is perched on a scenic cliffside with breathtaking panoramic views of the sea 🌊☀️ — perfect for watching the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine. Don’t expect anything fancy or luxurious like on their website. It’s very much a local, down-to-earth spot with chill beach vibes 🩴🏖️ Dress casual like you’re heading to the beach! 👗🕶️ 📌 Tips to Know: ✅ Reserve in advance – always full! ⏳ If you don’t, expect a wait (especially on weekends). 🚕 If you don’t drive, getting a taxi might take time ask the staff for help. 📶 No internet? No problem the staff is kind and happy to help you call one! 😊 💬 Final Thoughts: El Carmen is more than just a meal it’s an experience 🌟 Authentic food, stunning view, local atmosphere if you want to feel the real Spain, far from the touristy buzz, this is the place 🥂🌊🇪🇸 👉 Definitely one of those unforgettable meals that stays with you. Highly recommended! 🌟🍤

Sunset. Paella. Fresh seafood. Drinks. Reservation. Beach. Awesome vibes. Parking can be tricky as it gets packed so prepare to walk down a big hill from parking lot up above.

Disappointing Seafood in a Stunning Setting Parking was a nightmare — we circled a bit before finally nabbing a spot, but once we stepped out, the view made up for it. The location of El Carmen is absolutely stunning, perched right by the sea with breathtaking vistas. I was excited, especially as a seafood lover, expecting the food to match the surroundings. Unfortunately, it didn’t. The razor clams, priced at €28, were a major letdown — tiny, overcooked to a rubbery texture, and gritty with sand, which is a clear sign of poor preparation. My main course, monkfish, was equally uninspiring. It arrived as two plain slices, skin on, pan-fried without care or seasoning, save for a generic drizzle of herb oil that seemed to be on everything. For such a beautiful location, it’s a real shame the food fell so flat. You definitely pay a premium for the view — sadly, not for quality. Probably some of the worst seafood I’ve had on the island.

Delicious food and amazing atmosphere! Nice and polite personal! Right next to the restaurant is a wonderful beach with crystal clear water.

Definetly the best paella I ever had. Sp tasty and perfectly cooked. I went there last year in september and I still think about it! The view and the sunset from the restaurant are also amazing. Taxi were hard to find in the evening, so go by car or bike.

Beautiful views call ahead to make reservations for preferred seating. Octopus was plentiful and delicious!

Absolutely positively a must visit for one of the best paella (BTW pronounced pie-aaa-ya,, no ls please! ) you will ever have. See the photo I uploaded....it is even more savoury than it looks. I've been here 2 years in a row and have not been disappointed. The restaurant is situated on a short cliff above the beach, with a lovely view of Es Vedra. They serve different kinds of paella, you can choose with fish, shellfish (mariscos), chicken, etc. Cost is not cheap but generally worth it. The only thing I thought was not value for money was the gazapacho, not as flavourful as it should be and especially for the price (6 euros). The Sangria is WAY worth it, a must buy really. You can get the regular Sangria (red) or with Cava, which is very refreshing on a hot day. Recommended starter: Calamari a la plancha (griddled) was fresh and melted in my mouth. Another note: the local beach below the restaurant is really lovely if you are looking for the calmer Ibiza vibe. You'll see less Brits than normal, lots of local families and young couples chilling out and enjoying the sun and sea.

The most breathtaking views of Es Vedra and Paella sent from heaven makes me wish I could rate El Carmen with a higher-than five star rating. The service was spectacular,the staff extremely efficient and the owner was very present, asking how he could better serve us. I would highly recommend the wine, views, service and restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable Spanish food experience.

This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in Ibiza. I think it is high in the running for best paella on the island. This is why I chose to have my wedding rehearsal dinner there this past June. The staff did a fantastic job with our party of about 20. They prepared a very impressive pan of mixed paella for us this day, and I'm sure it was one if the best u ever had. It was part of a price fixed menu they gave me which was very reasonably priced, including appetizer, paella, coffee and wine. My guests were very impressed with the food, service, and of course with the perfect location and dreamy view of es Vedra. This if truly a fantastic place to stop forr an authentic Spanish style lunch if you are in the Cala D'hort area.

The seafood paella and that view made for one of the best meals we had in Ibitza! My only reco is to skip the appetizers as the paella is a very generous size for two.