Nightmares on Wax’s Guide to the Best Food in Ibiza
Nightmares on Wax’s Guide to the Best Food in Ibiza
Pioneer of British electronic music, George Evelyn aka Nightmares on Wax, has left his mark on the global music landscape. Over the course of his 30-year career, music has taken him to play all corners of the globe. "Travelling is the greatest teacher, I’ve learnt more from travelling than anywhere." he explained to us. After touring the world, George and his partner found a home in Ibiza, drawn to how much the island reminded him of his roots back in St Kitts.
"When we got here, it was like we had come home. This island has given us so much, I am constantly in debt to it, as a person."
Over his years living on the island, he has had a chance to experience all sides of Ibiza - especially the food - and has curated an immense guide to some of his favourite places to eat. From where to get the best Paella (with a special stock ingredient) to a seafood restaurant with views of the highly magnetic and spiritual Es Vedrá islet, George's suggestions capture exactly what makes Ibiza's food scene so beloved.
His album ‘Shout Out! To Freedom’ was heavily inspired by the island he proudly calls home. We asked him if he could choose one place in the world to recommend listening to it for the first time... and of course, it's Ibiza
Pou D’es Lleó
“Most people when they come to Spain, they want Paella. Well, this is the best paella on the island. One of the main reasons why is because a lot of the people make their paella and use rabbit as their stock, I don’t know how comfortable people are with that.... I’m not a fan personally. But they use chicken stock which makes it next level. They do a mixed seafood paella, but the lobster paella is the one and it’s not crazy expensive. It’s in the North of the island and isn’t crazy beach prices.”
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La Paloma
“Been around for around 16 years now and it’s an organic Italian restaurant in San Lorenzo. You need to get the parmegiana (which is always slightly burnt on the outside and is incredible). The steak is literally the best steak on the island and that’s a big quote, I know. The setting and the ambiance there, it’s always on point. I’ve never eaten a meal there and been disappointed. All the produce is organic, the ambience, you’re in a citrus garden and it’s just beautiful. You have to book as well, you can’t just roll up! Their cafe is good during the day, they do focaccia with goat's cheese if you’re not lucky enough to get there in the evening.”
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Balàfia
“It’s well known for its Asado, or Argentinian BBQ, the meat and everything is great but the biggest surprise is their tomato salad. It’s a meat spot but it’s really all about the tomato salad which is a bit mind boggling. I’m trying to find out how they’ve done it because it’s just tomatoes and onions! It’s like, how can you make tomatoes and onions taste so incredible? Beautiful setting, really nice garden.”
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Santa Gertrudis
“This is in a really nice village, the best village on the island, I believe. It’s like a fairy tale. There’s a plant-based restaurant there called Wild Beets owned by a guy called Cliff. All their juices and smoothies are amazing. One of my favourites is the juiced smoothie made up of cashews, dates, banana and açai. That one is amazing. But their protein bowls are just amazing, all their bowls are, including their buddha bowls. Santa Gertrudis, I’d say just go for the experience and just to be there. They have one of the oldest bocadillo restaurants on the island, they make their own bread and sandwiches. You do have to queue because everyone tries to go there. If you don’t want to go for a full meal, that’s the place to go.”
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Es Carmen
“This restaurant is on Cala d'Hort beach, and it’s the only beach you can see Es Vedrá totally clearly from. It has amazing seafood, all of their selection is really great. Es Vedrá is a small island off of Ibiza, it’s not inhabited but there’s a lot of mysticism around it. They says it’s the third most magnetic place on the planet, so the energy down there is really nice and it’s a beautiful beach to go down to and a very different side to Ibiza to experience.”
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Es Raconet
“This is a brand new place and is in San Miguel. It’s like a café/deli. It’s more a Mediterranean-Asian fusion but they also serve Italian. All amazing food, amazing desserts. They also have a menu where you can order things 24 hours in advance, like flambéd sushi rolls. San Miguel is a little bit old school, there isn’t as much going on. But this place has appeared, there’s a new pizza place that has appeared and is going through a bit of a shift at the moment. This place isn’t on a main street, they don’t have a sign up! I ended up driving up and down the street just to try and find it. The food is amazing for a new spot, so I want to support them and I want them to do well.”
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