What to eat Formentera? culinary specialties and gastronomy

In Formentera, as in the rest of Spain, meal times are spread out throughout the day. In the evening, the restaurants fill up around 10pm, and often the customers will have had a drink and some tapas beforehand, and start their meal in the restaurant later. Dining out is common; in Formentera, people like to eat out. When they choose to dine at home, residents sit down at the table around 9pm and like to have a drink to finish the evening with friends. Generally speaking, Spanish hours are the norm for dining on the island, with service generally provided from 1pm to 4pm and from 8pm to midnight. However, some seasonal establishments adapt to people from more northern regions who are used to eating earlier. However, restaurants open from midday are not commonplace!

As much as you can eat very well for cheap in Ibiza, Formentera is not cheap. Certainly, the local products are very good and the restaurants are numerous, but it is difficult to get by for less than 20 €. A few establishments are less expensive, but the vast majority of restaurants in Formentera fall into either the "good table" or "luxury" range

The price of the service is included in the final bill. However, feel free to add a tip if you liked the service! In Formentera, as in the rest of Spain, bread and water are not offered.

Start the day with a solid breakfast of bread, cheese and cold cuts.

Go to the market to find some local products at a good price.

End the meal with an ibicenca hierba or another house liquor.

Order a tallat amb gel, which is a hazelnut coffee with an ice cube.

Children are generally welcome in Formentera's restaurants. In general, the island is a kid-friendly destination

Although smoking is forbidden in restaurants (the same rules apply here as on the peninsula and in France), until recently smoking was tolerated on the terrace as long as you did not disturb others. However, as a result of the pandemic, the legislation has changed and smoking is no longer permitted on the terrace in the whole of the Balearic Islands. The easiest way to find out is to ask the staff at the establishment.

The few bakeries, cafeterias and ice cream shops on the island are generally open all day, until about 8pm, a little later for the ice cream shops. However, there is no set rule here and to avoid going out in vain, it is better to make a quick phone call. Bars generally open their doors around 7-8pm and close around 2am, or even 3am for some

The price of gourmet breaks and alcoholic drinks is generally lower than in France. The pastries of Ibiza are very recommendable (the delicious ensaïmadas, a speciality of the Balearic Islands, in particular).

Children are generally accepted everywhere where a bar permit is not in effect. However, they can sometimes be accepted on the terrace of a bar until early evening.

While smoking is prohibited in gourmet shops, cafés and bars, until recently smokers were welcome on the terraces of these establishments. However, pandemic-related restrictions have changed this, and in 2021, smokers were invited to move away a little to smoke.