The best restaurants in Formentera with sea views

Discover Formentera’s most beautiful restaurants for a great meal with sea views: local cooking, a Mediterranean atmosphere and places full of charm.

Eating out in Formentera: much more than good food

Formentera isn’t just a pretty island: it’s a place you can taste. The local cuisine combines tradition, fresh produce and an unbeatable setting. But if there is one thing that turns a good meal into an unforgettable experience, it’s the view. In Formentera the sea is never far away, and many restaurants make the most of it.

This article isn’t a dry list of well-reviewed places. It’s a guide for anyone who wants to sit down, take a deep breath, gaze at the horizon and enjoy themselves. Here you’ll find restaurants for a long lunch, a casual bite by the beach, a romantic dinner at sunset or a pre-dinner drink with your toes in the sand.

And if after your meal you fancy a change of scene, here’s a tip: boat hire in Formentera is one of the most special ways to carry on with your day, with the Mediterranean as your endless table.

1. Juan y Andrea (ses Illetes)

One of the best-known classics in the Pityusic Islands. Juan y Andrea sits right on the sand at ses Illetes, probably the most famous beach on the island. It was founded more than 50 years ago by Joan “Gerra” and his wife, Andrea, and today their children run it. Whatever you order, the real star is always the setting: turquoise sea and a gentle breeze.

It’s ideal if you’re after fish, seafood and rice dishes. Prices? High. But if you’re looking for an unforgettable meal, it’s one of those places that justifies the splurge.

Juan y Andrea. Photo: Diario de Ibiza

2. Es Molí de Sal (ses Illetes)

Set in an old salt mill by the sea, this restaurant offers one of the best sunsets on the island. The menu focuses on fresh fish and Mediterranean cooking, and it also looks after guests who arrive by boat and anchor nearby.

Arrive early, book well in advance and have a drink on the terrace before sitting down to dinner. The views towards Ibiza and the open sea make it one of those places where time stands still.

3. Chezz Gerdi (es Pujols)

This restaurant blends a laid-back feel with good taste: bohemian decor, a relaxed atmosphere and Spanish and Italian cooking, with fresh fish, meat, pizzas and sushi. It sits at the end of the wooden boardwalk on es Pujols beach, looking straight out to sea; its Volkswagen van has become something of an icon.

It’s perfect for groups, couples or families. As evening falls it becomes one of the liveliest spots in the area, with music, cocktails and a chilled-out vibe.

4. Restaurante Sol (Cala Saona)

Overlooking one of the most photogenic coves on the island, Sol serves Mediterranean cooking with a well-travelled twist and plenty of seafood: its black rice with squid and its bluefin tuna parpatana (a prized cut from the tuna’s neck) are among the most recommended dishes.

It offers a delivery service by tender to boats anchored in the cove, so it fits in perfectly with a day’s sailing along the west coast.

5. 10.7 (Migjorn beach)

On the south side of the island, facing the long sweep of Migjorn beach, this beach club manages to be both stylish and relaxed. Its terrace has wide-open sea views, with sunloungers and areas for a leisurely drink.

The kitchen mixes Mediterranean classics with Asian influences: pasta, catch of the day and sushi. It’s ideal for an unhurried lunch, with your feet in the sand and no sound but the waves.

6. Blue Bar (Migjorn beach)

This place has history. It opened in the 1960s on a dune at Migjorn and soon became a favourite haunt of hippies, artists and travellers. Today it keeps that free spirit, with Mediterranean and Asian cooking, tapas and cocktails. It is open from March to November.

Its greatest charm is the sunsets, with chill-out music in the background. If you’re after an experience that’s more about feeling than fine dining, this is your place. In July and August, book ahead.

7. Es Caló (es Caló de Sant Agustí)

The little fishing harbour of es Caló, with its traditional boathouses, hides one of the most authentic spots for a meal by the sea. Restaurante Es Caló has a lovely terrace and is known for its rice dishes and paellas. Book ahead, as it tends to fill up.

A few steps away, Can Rafalet, a classic with views over the harbour, is another good choice for a reasonably priced rice dish. No frills: quality, friendly service and one of the most beautiful settings on the island.

How to travel between restaurants in style

Although all these restaurants can be reached by car, scooter or bike, there is one option that takes the whole experience up a level: exploring the coast by boat.

Boat hire in Formentera lets you hop between coves and get close to seaside restaurants; some, such as Es Molí de Sal or Sol at Cala Saona, look after guests who arrive by boat. You can hire a boat yourself if you hold the Licencia de Navegación (Spain’s basic boating licence) or another boating qualification, or go out with a skipper.

One important detail: always anchor on sand. In the Balearic Islands it is forbidden to anchor on posidonia seagrass meadows, and in areas such as s’Espalmador you must use the mooring buoy fields.

It’s a different way of experiencing the island: freer, more private, more intense.

Final tips

• Book in advance, especially in high season.
• If you’re coming by boat, ask when you book whether the restaurant offers a service for boats at anchor.
• Avoid peak times if you prefer peace and quiet.
• Ask about the off-menu specials: many chefs work with fresh produce that changes every day.
• If you’re travelling in a group, share starters and mains so you can try more dishes.

Eat well, look far

In Formentera you don’t have to look hard to find a good restaurant. But if what you want is to dine with Formentera, to feel the island while you eat, these recommendations will set you on the right path.

And remember: sometimes what transforms a meal isn’t what’s on the plate, but what you see while you share it.