While the doors to our favourite restaurants and bars may still be closed, there’s plenty of ways to support your favourite London foodie spots this spring. To spruce up your next lockdown weekend, why not order a DIY restaurant kit from your local and recreate some of your favourite dishes at home?
There’s nothing better than breakfast in bed on a lazy Saturday morning, but Breakfast En Bread’s loaded buns certainly take breakfast to new bready heights. Breakfast En Bread has been delighting breakfast lovers since 2014 with is scrumptious loaded bread loaves and now you can order them in for Next-Day Delivery too.
You can get all the loaded bread favourites like The Original, Smokey Salmon, Vegetarian and Vegan or add a splash of bubbles with ‘The Furnace Sparkling Wine Box’ which includes a 750ml bottle of The Wren English Reserve Sparkling Wine.
Now you can enjoy the authentic taste of Japan at home, because Shoryu has launched a new menu of DIY Shoryu Kits. Nothing beats a steaming hot bowl or Ramen and Shoryu’s Ramen kits come with everything you need to turn yourself into a ramen master in no-time. The DIY kits includes Shoryu’s signature hosomen noodles, 12-hour banging Tonkotsu soup stock and all the trimming and can be done in just 10 minutes!
Add some colour to your Friday-night takeaway with Flower Burger. Flower Burger’s brightly-coloured buns and plant-based patties will surely add some Flower Power to your next cheat-day meal, and they have just introduced London delivery too!
If you’re feeling uninspired in the kitchen, Kurami is a London-based meal subscription service that offers healthy meal plans, free from gluten, added sugars, artificial ingredients and additives. You can select from Kurami’s Signature Pathway or Calorie Controlled options to create a meal subscription that’s right for your needs.
Mayfair-based private Army and Navy Club, (affectionately known as ‘The Rag’) has made its delectable gourmet restaurant menu available to be enjoyed at home. The ‘Hart’s at Home Menu Boxes,’ lovingly made by the Club’s Executive Chef Stuart Hart, offers three courses full of timeless British classics. We’ve got our eye on ‘February’s Winter Warmer Menu Box’ with highlights including a slow-cooked Ox Cheek and Crab bisque.
Here’s a bonus recommendation for those who love to snack because Ember Snacks is the perfect answer for all those tricky in-between meal hunger pangs.
Ember Snacks offers high-quality biltong and charcuterie straight from British and Irish farms that pack a protein punch without any nasties. Its naturally-sourced British beef and pork is naturally-sourced and cured with delicious natural herbs and spices and we are absolutely obsessed.
It may be a while until we get the chance to properly hug our mums again, so we’re pre-planning what to get the most important woman in our lives for Mother’s Day.
This year, we’re pulling out all the stops and splashing out — because if there’s anything we learned in 2020, it’s that nothing is more important than family.
This Mother’s Day, we’re all about the luxury gift set, filled with some of the finest culinary sensations and bottled spirits that the UK’s foodie scene has to offer.
The Botanist Gin Tin Planter Set
Why not combine your mum’s penchant for gardening with a bottle of Botanist Gin? The Botanist Gin has launched a Tin Planter Gift Set, made with special packaging that can be reused as a planter to grow herbs, just in time for Mother’s Day. So, not only can you grow your own garnish, but also help towards reducing waste too! The set also comes with a pack of rosemary seeds and a bottle of The Botanist hand-crafted gin.
Click here to buy The Botanist Gin Tin Planter Set
Ésophy x Metaxa Chocolate and Spirit Pairing Gift Set
Indulge your mum’s sweet tooth with a luxury spirit and chocolate gift set by artisanal Greek chocolatiers Ésophy and Greek amber spirit brand Metaxa. The gifting set pairs delicious homemade Greek chocolates with rich flavour profiles from Metaxa 12 Stars and Metaxa Private Reserve.
The Metaxa flavours include Orange and Balsamic, Cardamom and Fig, Winter Spices and Spicy Apricots and come with a selection of delicious pairing chocolates.
Click here to buy the Metaxa 12 Star Pairing and here for the Metaxa Private Reserve Pairing
Cointreau Limited Edition Bottle
Add a dash of elegance to your Mother’s Day margaritas with a limited-edition Cointreau Bottle, designed by French interior designer Vincent Darré. The limited edition bottles offer three different designs telling the story of the maison and is available in Harvey Nichols.
Click here to buy Cointreau Limited Edition Bottle
A Mother’s Day Hamper from Brixton Cornercopia
Support local businesses with this lovely Mother’s Day Hamper from Brixton Cornercopia. Brixton Cornercopia opened five years ago in Brixton Village and features a range of handcrafted products. Every item in the hamper has a story to tell and produced by independent makers in the local area. You can choose from two hamper options which comprise chocolates, flower seeds, candles, preserves, and bath salts.
Click here to buy the Mother’s Day Hamper from Brixton Cornercopia
With tier three restrictions sweeping more than 68% of the UK this week, including our beloved capital city of London, it’s more important than ever to show our support for our favourite restaurants and bars.
Whether its delivery services or DIY kits, we’ve rounded up a few ways you can show your love for London’s foodie scene this holiday season. Because just as we’ve relied on these truly wonderful places to delight our taste buds over the years, they are now relying on us and our community of food-lovers to help them weather the COVID-19 storm.
Hakkasan at Home emerged as a true lockdown favourite this year and its new delivery service ‘Hosted by Hakkasan’ is certainly taking delivery services to new heights.
Hosted by Hakkasan delivers a complete Michelin-star experience straight to your doorstep. The service even includes personalised chef and sommelier recommendations, printed menus, floral arrangements, and even a member of staff if you require. You can also enjoy the Hosted by Hakkasan experience across multiple households – perfect for a socially-distanced Christmas celebration.
Soho staple 10 Greek Street has partnered with feast-box delivery service Dishpatch to offer an incredible Christmas Beef Banquet, which can be delivered just in time for Christmas Day.
The minimal preparation kit is perfect for kitchen novices looking to impress your festive support bubble this season. It includes a Goldstein Smoked Salmon starter, Welsh black ribeye and short rib pie for mains, a trio of potato gratin, brusselsprouts, chestnuts & lardon for sides. For pudds, there is the date & treacle pudding, butterscotch & Chinotto mascarpone and Tunworth cheese with fig chutney and chocolate Florentines.
Six by Nico London may have only opened in 2020, but it has quickly become one of the city’s most innovative foodie spots. The Christmas by Nico boxes from Home-X offers a mouth-watering five course-feast that includes a traditional Turkey Ballotine, with a selection of delicious sides and Christmas spiced Toffee pudding.
It also comes with a curated selection of paired wines. The whole Six by Nico Christmas feast takes about 100 minutes to prepare and is perfect for those looking to test their culinary skills this holiday season (without having to sacrifice the whole day to do so).
One of our favourite Fitzrovia haunts, The Riding House Café, has released a line of Christmas and New Year Boxes, offering plenty of festive dining options no matter what you fancy. The Christmas Feast Box offers Norfolk Bronze turkey with delicious apple & raisin stuffing, sumptuous goose fast roast potatoes and glazed sprouts with kale. Extra indulgent add-ons include the restaurant’s signature Truffle Mac and Cheese and a Taittinger Champagne punch!
With two weeks left before Christmas, Team Coco are ramping up the holiday cheer and checking out the best festive dining spots in town. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies ventured to Paddington to sample the wonderfully creative fusion cuisine of Ayllu, and their Christmas ‘Nikkei’ tasting menu.
Set right on the canal, Ayllu London is a buzzy yet cosy foodie spot offering Peruvian-Japanese cuisine that packs a festive punch. There’s plenty of canalside seating outdoors if you’re planning a socially-distanced meetup with your pals, and plexiglass dividers inside for extra safety if you’re dining indoors with members of your household.
Inside, Ayllu exudes an effortless yet atmospheric community vibe. Picture low hanging woven pendant lights, deep green velvet banquettes, and plenty of stylish tropical foliage accents that almost tricks you into thinking you’ve hopped on a plane to Peru.
The restaurant was inspired by the food culture the ‘Ayllu’ Incan community and serves up some excellent Peruvian-Japanese small plates and sushi rolls and at excellent value too. We sampled the ‘Nikkei’ Tasting menu, which is priced at an incredibly reasonable £55 for two. We paired our meal with a deliciously-light 2018 New Zealand Pinot Noir from The Nest.
Our culinary voyage began with a trio of starters: Ceviche Mixto, Chicharron Roll and the Cazuela Sabor A Mar.
The Ceviche — a combination of sea bass, octopus, coriander and chilli — was executed to give just the right kick. The Chicharron Roll, which was mixture of avocado, pork, lime and kimchi mayo, was an excellent savoury mouthful, while the Cazuela Sabor Mar carefully married complementary Japanese and Peruvian elements. This final starter dish was made up of chargrilled salmon served over seafood stock rice and roasted seaweed.
Ayllu certainly ramped up the festivities with the Roast Turkey main course, but of course, added their own little fusion twist. Here, they wrapped turkey breast, asparagus and pepper, with delicious bacon and served it with a generous dollop of cranberry sauce.
Finally, we end with a quartet of Peruvian chocolate truffles, a final sweet flourish to bookend truly excellent meal.
‘Festive’ may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of fusion cuisine, but at £55 for two and with four wonderfully flavourful courses – we highly doubt you’ll find a better festive meal in town this holiday season than at Ayllu London.
Full menu available to view here & Christmas Day menus here.
With the rumours of a Tier 3 hitting us before Christmas, you’re going to want to make Hans’ Bar and Grill one of your final bookings. Having previously dined at the restaurant of 11 Cadogan Gardens, it was a pleasure to return – this time, for the new ‘Grill Night’ which runs on Thursday and Friday evenings. Hans’ Bar and Grill serves an all day dining menu full of delicious dishes, focusing on seasonal British produce.
The Chelsea eatery is headed up by Rowen Babe, who has an affinity with local produce from his native New Zealand and knowing this swiftly determined the wine to be had this evening. Having resided in New Zealand at one point myself, I have long been a fan of wines from the region – both red and white – so I was only too glad to opt for a New Zealand Pinot Noir from Nelson.
To Start With
Here to try the aforementioned Thursday/Friday Grill Night menu at Hans’ Bar and Grill, we started snacking on the addictive padron peppers with all of their lashings of sea salt before moving onto short rib tacos which were drizzled in a delicious beetroot and red cabbage combo. Perfectly tender beef and packed full of flavour, these were hard to share. Both incredibly tasty and 10/10 would order again, however the star of the starters show was definitely the octopus. Charcoal-grilled, both the taste and texture of this dish were fantastic and my only criticism is that, once again, I had to share it. One of the better octopus dishes I’ve sampled in London, I’d happily devour a mains-sized plate of this.
Mains
We did eventually make it onto the main courses and I absolutely love it when my guest understands the necessity of sharing even non-tapas style and sized dishes. I was immediately put out of distress, yes distress, upon having confirmation that I could try both the steak and the sea bass. The chateaubriand is an absolute must: a perfect shade of pink, each mouthful was flavoursome. A friend in the beef industry taught me a trick, if you’d like, once that underneath all the bells and whistles, you can tell a piece of meat’s quality, if after a fair few chews, it still retains that full flavour (rather than riding off the smell of charcoal) and this was most certainly evident with the steak at Hans’ Bar and Grill.
Sides included a creamy macaroni cheese and fries, as anyone who knows me knows my love/obsession for the humble chip. All washing down beautifully with that fragrant and fruity Pinot Noir. Steak is, of course, available on the regular menu at Hans’ Bar and Grill so fear not if you’re unable to secure a booking for Thursday or Friday. Sea bass to share is always an impressive affair when dining out as the waiter often debones the fish at the table, serving up the various plates. This dish was served with a fennel and orange potato salad which complemented the fish wonderfully.
Always Leave Room For Dessert
Never one to not leave room for dessert, we did decide to share the sweet treat to finish the meal. You know how I feel about fries and now you also know my strong feelings toward the cheesecake. If it’s on a menu, it’s the dessert I’m ordering and this coconut and lime baked version did not disappoint. Adorned with fresh mixed berries and thick shavings of coconut, it was a pleasant surprise to find out that it was completely vegan. Obviously I’m no strict plant-based eater but it is great to know restaurants are making these kinds of inclusions into their menus, not only for those who follow that diet but to show the rest of us non-vegans that good things can be totally green too.
While not in any means an ‘under the radar’ spot I’m unearthing for readers here, I do think there is some pride to be had in visiting a restaurant in a busy city such as London years down the line from the first visit and having the same exceptional food and service. Grill Night at Hans’ Bar and Grill was a delicious dining experience but I’d return any day of the week for a meal here.
With 14 years at the (literal) top of London’s food scene, Galvin at Windows is now taking afternoon tea to new dizzying heights. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies got a sneak peek at the refurbished 10 Degrees Sky bar on the 28th floor of the Hilton on Park Lane to sample Galvin at Window’s revamped afternoon tea offering.
Don’t expect a run of the mill afternoon tea at Galvin at Windows, because their afternoon tea experience, curated by Head Chef Marc Hardiman, offers up taste, bubbles, style and ambiance in true elevated style, befitting its equally elevated location.
Galvin at Windows’ afternoon tea was crafted in collaboration with one of the world’s finest artesian tea companies, Canon Tea; and set amongst the lush tropical interiors of the relaunched 10 Degrees Sky Bar. The refurbed bar is art deco meets bold tropical flair, but the pièce de resistance has to be the unbeatable views of the London skyline.
Guests can choose from three indulgent Afternoon Tea menus: The Classic, The Gin, and The Champagne, with plenty of delectable vegan alternatives to choose from.
We (of course) sampled the wonderfully decadent Champagne option and started our experience with a perfectly chilled glass of bubbles. We began with a quartet of sandwiches which included roast ham, tomato & Pommery mustard, tapenade and basil on beetroot bread and of course the quintessential coronation chicken.
We also highly recommend trying out the seasonal brews from Canton Tea. The Vietnamese Black tea in particular, was an excellent cinnamon-blended infusion perfect for colder winter weather. In true Galvin at Windows style, the pastries arrives in a golden bird cage serving up three tiers of confectionery perfection.
We indulged in the chocolate gateaux opera, green apple mousse, baked apple vanilla panna cotta, and the refreshingly crunchy forest berry teacup. Don’t forget to dig into in the freshly baked scones too, and slather on a hefty amount of the cashew nut & vanilla cream and apple & cinnamon compote.
And if the afternoon tea wasn’t enough to take your breath away, then the panoramic views of London, particularly during the golden moment when the sun is 10 degrees off the horizon, certainly will.
Galvin at Windows Afternoon Tea at 10 Degrees Bar is available from Friday-Sunday 1pm to 4pm. For more information visit @galvinatwindows | www.galvinatwindows.com
Now that lockdown 2.0 and #BlackNovember are out of the way, we’re once again filling our evenings — dining with our households or meeting some pals (safely) outdoors of course — and booking some of the best festive dining spots London has to offer.
If you’ve been in a lockdown hole (heck – we all have) and don’t know where to begin, then we’ve put together a hit-list of all our favourite festive feasts in the city no matter what your mood.
London Stock: For a chilled out evening in South London
The newest kid on the block of Wandsworth Ram’s Quarter has reopened its doors in true holiday style with a £65pp 10-course holiday menu that will certainly blow your mind. It begins with two delectable mushroom dishes (one a Mushroom Cep gnochetti and the other a parfait with pickled walnuts and sourdough) and ends with Malt and Miso soufflé bang.
Some other culinary highlights include the Beef Cheek with Jerusalem artichoke, Roast Cod with pickled mussels in a light soy and ginger broth, and Roast Turkey two ways. London Stock’s culinary exodus is completed with a trio of sweet treats which includes a Delica Squash with Yuzu, praline and honey.
London Stock has also given its cocktail menu and wine list a festive makeover – and we’re looking at the ‘In The Woods’ concoction — a mixture of Hayman’s old Tom Gin and Cocci Americano, Mushroom and Blueberry Shrub — as both an aperitif and digestif.
Galvin at Windows: A timeless meal with unbeatable views
With 14 years at the (literal) top of London’s food scene, Galvin at Windows’ Christmas menu is certainly taking festive dining to new heights.
Following the lead of Chef Patron Chris Galvin and under the watchful eye of Chef Marc Hardiman, the ‘Taste of Christmas’ menu at Galvin at Windows begins at a very reasonable £59 pp offers four incredible courses and a welcome Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs to start. If the Cured Faroe Island Salad, Cornish Cod, and Native black Angus sirloin isn’t enough to blow you away (which is highly unlikely) than the panoramic views of Hyde Park certainly will.
The Christmas Day lunch menu is priced at £199 pp for four courses and offers a luxurious twist on timeless British classics. So, if you’re looking to reward yourself with an indulgent Christmas meal to end 2020 in true #TeamCoco style — then we highly recommend it.
All of the Galvin at Windows Festive menus can be viewed here.
Ayllu: A festive fusion meal that is out of the ordinary
‘Festive’ may not be the word that comes to mind when you think of Peruvian-Japanese fusion, but Ayllu’s holiday menu certainly packs the festive punch and then some. This contemporary fusion restaurant in Paddington was inspired by the ‘Ayllu’ Incan community and highlights these familial Peruvian traditions with a wonderfully creative selection of small plates.
We recommend dining out on the terrace and enjoying views of the canal while feasting on Ayllu’s Nikkei Tasting menu. The menu is priced at £55 for two people to share and has more than enough to satisfy your festive cravings.
Full menu available to view here & Christmas Day menus here.
Heddon Yokocho: For Ramen Lovers everywhere
This one is for all the ramen lovers looking for a festive meal out this December. Heddon Yokocho is re-opening with a new Christmas menu that packs all of the familiar ramen goodness with a Christmas twist. The menu is priced at only £24.5 per person and offers three courses with a drink.
We recommend the Chicken Karaage and Tokyo Shoyu ramen, and raising a glass of Shochu Sour Berry soju to finish. Also, the restaurant’s casual yet retro Japanese aesthetic will certainly satisfy your desire for escapism even if its just for one evening.
Heddon Yokocho’s Christmas menu is available from 10 to 24 December
Brixton, long known for being a destination for foodies in London seeking the latest gourmet trends, has joined the UK’s gin renaissance.
Brixton Gin contains nine botanicals including hibiscus and wood violet. It is a fragrant gin with floral notes that has been crafted to provide a distinctive taste profile in a premium market saturated by classic London Dry gins.
The start-up brand is partnering with Urban Growth, an organisation that transforms neglected urban sites into flourishing gardens. It will be growing botanicals in the local area, including juniper, that will go into Brixton Gin.
Brixton Gin is also given extra floral complexity with the inclusion of local raw honey from Brixton Bees, a small family run firm.
The inspiration for Brixton Gin came when the founders, long time Brixton residents, were in lockdown with a newborn baby. Not allowed to leave the house, they decided they could either learn more about garden plants than was healthy or start a gin brand.
They set out to create a gin that was inspired by Brixton – one that gave back to its community and one that also sourced its botanicals from within the neighbourhood. They’ve created a gin that is delicious and distinctive but that uses ingredients grown in their own backyard – including honey from Brixton Bees.
Calandra Smith, co-founder of Brixton Gin said: “Brixton has always been a place that does things its own way. Botanicals grown on the urban streets of Brixton?! It’s not your usual origin story. We have created a gin that contains botanicals that are, in a literal sense, rooted in the neighbourhood. The result is hopefully something that really stands out in a crowded market.”
The 70cl bottle of Brixton Gin costs £34.95 and is available at www.brixtongin.co.uk and selected retailers. It is best served with a lighter tonic such as Fever Tree Refreshingly Light.
If you know me, it’s no secret that I love Ibiza. As soon as I land on the island, I feel an instant rush of calm and excitement in equal measures. I lose all track of time, ignore my phone at all costs (unless, of course, it’s to take a snap or two) and fully embrace the bohemian way of life for a week or two.
My favourite time to visit is in the quieter autumn, winter and early spring months. The air is crisp but the sun is still warm. And it’s during these times that the real Ibiza emerges and a different sort of hedonism can be explored.
Experience the epitome of Ibiza luxury living with exclusive villas, stunning waterfront views, and unparalleled amenities, making your off-season stay truly unforgettable.
And if like me, it looks like you’ll be working from home for the foreseeable and you fancy a change of scene – most preferably in sunnier climes – I’ve pulled together a list below of my favourite things to do and spots to visit; that are best experienced away from the madding summer crowds.
Sensational Sunsets And while no day is likely ever the same on an island where anything is possible, sunsets are a guaranteed spectacle to behold and their high-season is in the low-season when the celestial light shows take on richer colours of pink, yellow, orange and deep reds.
Such is the fortuitous setting of Hostal La Torre – another Ibiza restaurant-cum-hotel (more on that below) – it makes my list twice. It’s perfectly positioned to see the sunset – centred directly in line with the sun. But you don’t have to pay to drink or dine at La Torre to catch the last rays of the day. Next door, there is a lookout point with a few benches and picnic tables for the general public, so be sure to pack wine, nibbles and maybe a blanket, if you might prefer to edge closer and sit on the rocky cliff edges.
Another favourite sunset spot, and roughly about 40 minutes north from La Torre is Benirass. On Sunday’s the beach comes alive with drummers and musicians performing an eclectic sunset ritual. Part of Ibiza’s charm, the event is marked by the attendance of people from all walks of life gathering to enjoy the show.
Es Vedra, off Cala D’hort beach (also included in my list of best beaches) sits on the south coast of Ibiza and while geologists disagree, it has been said to be the third most magnetic point in the world. Legend also has it, that it has healing powers and that it’s the ancient site of the lost city of Atlantis. What is unquestionable is its beauty at sunset. One of my favourite places to go to is the deserted pirate lookout tower, Torre de Savinar or there is also a great lookout point which is often used by locals to meditate or practice yoga at sunset. Friend and local yoga instructor, Pixie Rath, is renowned for taking some of her yoga classes at the lookout point, a few snaps from her Insta below.
@PixieRath
Best beaches
S’Estanyol In the south of Es Cubells, this unspoiled beach was built around a wooden jetty. It’s a bit of a hike to get to once you’ve parked but it’s totally worth it. Just be sure to pack a pair of trainers for the journey down.
Cala D’Hort, Sant Josep Although a busy spot in the summer due to its fortuitous setting overlooking the magnificent Es Vedra and neighbouring buzzing Cala D’Hort restaurant, this is one of my favourite places to visit and while away the day reading a book and swimming.
Cala Xuclar The north east of the island offers some of the most beautiful and lesser-known beaches – there are plenty to be found and explored which is why renting a car is essential. Cala Xuclar is a tiny horseshoe-shaped bay surrounded by old fishing huts and crystal clear water. It is never overcrowded and we often have it to ourselves if we go early enough.
Cala Mastella Still relatively untouched and unspoiled, this beach has retained its special bohemian-like status. This is another gem in the north east of the island and I would advise getting there early (and bring beach shoes as the sea bed is very stony).
A few of my favourite lesser-known beaches Cala Mastella, S’Estanyol and Cala D’Hort
Activities The island has been long-loved by sporting enthusiasts as the terrain is a challenging mix of rocky flat and hilly trails offering some of the best cycling and hiking trails in Spain. In the summer, most would struggle as temperatures soar but in the off-season, the cooler weather offers much-needed respite to help tackle the steep climbs.
If walking is more your thing, Walking Ibiza offers guided and private walks for travellers looking to explore the beautiful island in detail. Runners can join running groups – there are a few on Instagram and Facebook – that are open to anyone. Running Ibiza, for example, offers Ibiza Town running tours, trail runs and (very helpfully) offers training for beginners as part of their Couch to 5K experience, so no need to feel intimidated if you’re a running novice like myself. Active Ibiza is another favourite of mine. They collaborate with an array of fitness instructors who provide guided programs and equipment.
SUP (Stand-Up Paddle) boarding is a must. The waters are calm and easily manageable for all levels of experience. It’s also a great way to explore the different coves and a lot of people have attempted the island in its entirety (a friend of mine included) stopping off at different places to camp for the night. There are plenty of rental places on the island, so best to find one that is near to where you’re staying.
While I’m there, I often try and book a few sessions at my favourite reformer pilates spot on the island, Energii Ibiza in Ibiza Town, which hails from Denmark. It truly is the “ultimate workout” but the helpful and friendly instructors make it a not-so daunting experience for beginners (like me). Classes start from approximately £17 per person.
Under-the-radar restaurants A lot of great restaurants stay open on the island throughout the year. And while it’s not hard to stumble upon great places to dine, drink and dance, below is a list of my firm favourites and definitely worth exploring next time you’re in town.
La Finca Can Sul Dat A former farmhouse hidden well off-the-beaten track on the road to Es Canar, it’s one of my favourite places to visit on the island and was introduced to me by a close friend who lives locally. The Swiss owner, Peter – possibly Ibiza’s answer to Hugh Hefner – is one-of-a-kind and always equipped with colourful stories to regale his guests with. He has often joined us for a drink or a shot of his famous home-made rocket fuel limoncello. The decor throughout is boho chic and his bedroom is actually in the middle of the restaurant complete with red velvet rope and curtains. The spot is equally famous for its live music and it’s not unknown for the evenings to carry on well into the wee hours of the next morning. The food menu is small but tasty. I highly recommend the entrecote for two to share.
Shamarkanda Nestled in a beautiful olive grove near San Juan, in the north of the island, this magical spot – named after a city in Central Asia – offers a blend of cultures and flavours in its dishes. This year was my first time going at the recommendation of a friend and we opted to dine outside under the stars which had a magical Secret Garden Party feel, complete with glowing lanterns and draped light bulbs surrounded by trees. We tried their incredible bao buns, bursting with flavour (and it’s definitely worth ordering one of each). We also ordered the California rolls topped with salmon which was flambéed at the table, adding a touch of drama to the experience. The cocktail and wine list is also extensive and offers a nice mix of international and local flavours.
New favourite: Shamarkanda, San Juan
Hostal La Torre Although no longer much of a hidden gem, there is no way I could write about Ibiza and not include Hostal La Torre. The latest offering from the Anadon family – owners of the infamous Cafe Mambo along with a few other outposts on the island – the restaurant-cum-boutique hotel not only serves up incredible food and spectacular views, but it also falls under the category of boutique listening joint. Be transported there NOW, listen here to Hostal La Torre Volume 1 and 2, selected by DJ’s Pete Gooding and fellow resident Mark Barrott.
It’s open all year and it is a must when on the island. It’s also extremely affordable to stay on site, with room nights starting from £40 per night in low-season.
Insider’s Tip: Other venues offering a heavy dose of eclectic Ibiza spirit includes Petit Pereyra on Talamanca Beach, Nightmares on Wax’s Wax Da Jam and Acid Sundays, both held at the old hippy market Las Dalias (more on that below).
Can Berri Vell Exuding total charm and authenticity, this small and intimate outdoor-indoor restaurant is one of the most romantic restaurants in Ibiza in the heart of the town Sant Agusti des Vedra. Overlooking a typically Ibizan architecture church, it sits atop a small mountain, seamlessly blending into the rolling hills. The food is traditional Spanish grub with a modern-European twist.
Babylon Beach Although it’s certainly grown in popularity since the first time I went, Babylon Beach is a great place to grab brunch and layout in the sun on the deck chairs provided. It’s still relatively low-key, especially during low-season; and don’t forget to try their insanely good pancakes!
Gare du Nord I was blown away by this unexpected hole in the wall in San Juan, North Ibiza. The small entrance featuring an outdoor seating area and long bar leading into a sprawling yet intimate leafy courtyard. The food is a mix of classic European dishes using locally sourced produce. The wine list is elegant and yet adventurous. It’s also here that I discovered one of my new favourite wines, Black Nose, which is made in Ibiza. Gard du Nord also offers quirky yet modern rooms with prices starting from £50 per night in the low-season.
@GareduNord
Culture trip Artists and craftsmen have flocked to Ibiza over the centuries, so it’s only natural that the island offers the opportunity to get close to some pretty incredible art and crafts to take home.
Hippy Market Las Dalias Every Saturday locals descend upon the world-famous hippy market to uncover the latest trinkets and treasures on display by local craftsmen, artists, food artisans, to the tune of live performances by local musicians and DJs. The market began in 1954 and was the brainchild of farmer and carpenter, Joan Mari. The market is one of my absolute favorites and I go every time I am there. This year, as part of an island-wide initiative to encourage out-of-season travel to Ibiza, the market is staying open throughout winter and early spring, to help encourage trade on the island and make up for lost time and earnings, as a result of the first lockdown earlier this year.
La Nave Salinas in Las Salinas Beach Arguably one of my favourite art spaces in the world, La Nave Salinas launched last year as a space dedicated to “art in all senses”. The space is an old salt warehouse by the neighbouring salt lakes Ibiza is also known for. To date they’ve hosted several big name contemporary artists, including Kaws. The space is open and currently exhibiting works by the artist Albert Pinya, painter and cartoonist including ceramics, animation shorts, sculptures and ephemeral murals.
La Maison D’Éléphant This design concept store is hard to miss, fronted by enormous sculptures of robots, pink elephants and silver skulls making it hard to miss. Inside, visitors can explore five floors of outrageously quirky and contemporary design. Among the incredible art you are able to find and buy decorations, antiques, unique furniture, and even clothing. The founder, Bruno Reymond, is interior stylist to many infamous buildings on the island, including Ushuaia and the Pacha Hotel.
Sluiz. Although it doesn’t stock one-of-a-kind, handmade crafts and art, it does offer a huge collective of outdoor, indoor furniture, cool lighting, clothing and accessories from around the world. Founded by a Dutch couple, the sprawling warehouse-like store, also has a bar and restaurant featuring low-hanging ornate crystal chandeliers and plush armchairs. I often go and spend a few hours there indulging in all of the good food, cocktails and shopping.
@LaNaveSalinas
Please note, all of the aforementioned businesses were still open and operating at the time of writing this article. This might have changed as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve around the world.
The best thing about lockdown is that it seems to be socially acceptable to talk about Christmas earlier than usual. Half of the UK have already put up their Christmas trees to give them that festive cheer and the other half are no doubt clock watching until the restaurants re-open so that they can indulge in some well cooked turkey washed down with copious amounts of wine, and Baileys! It is (almost) Christmas after all.
Whilst there are a whole host of restaurants in Leeds shouting about their Christmas offering already, our friends over at The Restaurant Bar and Grill have got some well priced grub and festive offers that even Santa can go on furlough for.
Picture this, it’s mid December and you’re dressed up to the nines in your sequin dress (or overly cheesy Christmas jumper – we don’t judge) and you’re sipping on a glass of mulled wine. The staff at The Restaurant Bar and Grill are serving you some oven roast turkey, chestnut stuffing, pigs in blankets and cranberry sauce and you start to understand what they mean when they say that Christmas has come early. You’re laughing with your loved ones, the atmosphere is buzzing and you’ve even saved room for their Christmas pudding with rum and raisin butter and brandy sauce. Life is good, lockdown is a distant memory and the cost of the meal is only £50 per person at dinner time and £37.50 for lunch. Want to make that vision your reality?
You can pre book tables right now so that you have something to look forward to and long enough to decide just how many glasses of Baileys you’ll be washing your meal down with.
Plus, we all know that the restaurant industry needs our support more than ever and what better way of showing them that you care by buying gift vouchers for your loved one’s this season.
