As you approach Finca La Plaza, there’s little to suggest you’re entering a restaurant. Guests are greeted by an archway of hedges, with no sign of the dining space hidden behind. Step through, though, and you emerge into a leafy courtyard strung with fairy lights, surrounded by cacti and foliage, and a gentle Balearic soundtrack playing.
In true Ibizan style, the setting is relaxed. There are wooden chairs, rattan details and neutral table settings that complement the rustic surroundings. There was a steady flow of diners coming and going throughout the evening, from families and friends to couples enjoying date night, but the atmosphere remained calm and unhurried.
We arrived for dinner at around 9pm, perfectly in keeping with the Spanish tradition of eating late, and started with a look at the impressive cocktail menu. On a balmy evening, a citrusy Paloma will always be my drink of choice, and Finca La Plaza’s did not disappoint. It was smooth, tart and served in a tall glass with a touch of chilli around the rim and a chunky slice of grapefruit.
One friend opted for a Prosecco cocktail with vanilla, lime and passion fruit sorbet. Though on paper that may sound sickly, it was light, refreshing, and cooling too. My other friend went for the hibiscus mocktail, which was bright and, judging by how quickly it disappeared, was also a hit.
When a food menu is as enticing as the one in front of us, sharing feels like the best way to experience it. So, as recommended by our waiter, we decided to order several starters and pass everything around the table.
Finca La Plaza describes its food as upscale and modern Spanish, with Italian influences making an appearance too. The kitchen promises to source 80 per cent of ingredients locally, and this freshness is something you can taste.
My favourite starter was unexpectedly the broccoli with tahini. There was a sweetness to the tahini alongside its usual nuttiness. Drizzled over al dente broccoli, it was smooth and not at all cloying.
The plate of Ibérico ham was another highlight, served with crusty, lightly oiled bread and pan con tomate. The ham was rich and contrasted nicely with the sharpness of the tomato. Attention to detail is clearly everything here, and the slices of ham were perfectly cut to fit the bread, making it an easy one to share.
The sharing approach worked just as well with the mains, allowing us to try several of the restaurants signature dishes. Finca La Plaza’s presentation is simple and neat rather than overly fussy, allowing the ingredients to do the talking. The turbot was a highlight: meaty, plentiful and fresh, with the fish flaking easily from the bone. A light Pil-Pil lemon and garlic sauce gently complemented it without overwhelming the delicate flavour.
Then came the fettuccine gnocchi Alfredo with freshly shaved truffle. Truffle lovers will know it’s an ingredient that can easily become overbearing, but thanks to our waiter’s recommendations we ordered three grams, and found this was the perfect amount – adding plenty of earthy flavour without dominating the dish.
Normally I wouldn’t mention a side, but the humble-sounding sweet potato was one of the more memorable plates of the evening. It was incredibly sweet and fluffy, topped with crispy onion which gave it a perfect contrast. It was another example of the restaurant carefully considering its dishes rather than putting something on the menu for the sake of it.
If I have one piece of advice, it’s to save room for dessert. Finca La Plaza puts its own creative spin on a couple of classics, and both proved worth making space for.
The brownie éclair combines a brownie base with milk chocolate ganache and caramelised cocoa nibs, but felt far lighter than a standard brownie. Freshly whipped cream and fine slivers of chocolate kept it soft and delicate, rather than overly rich.
Then there was the mango tiramisu with matcha. On paper, it sounds like a combination that shouldn’t work, but it was my dessert of the holiday. Creamy and fresh with an earthy note from the matcha, it had a soft, mousse-like texture that made it an easy favourite.
Perhaps, on reflection, I have two pieces of advice: save room for dessert and chat to the sommelier. We gave the team a few adjectives – fresh and crisp – rather than naming a particular bottle, and were rewarded with a delicious local white wine that was exactly what we had in mind.
It was, fittingly, our first dinner of the holiday, and one that stayed with us. There was something memorable about eating world-class food and drinking excellent local wine in such a relaxed and quintessentially Ibizan setting. No fuss or pretence, just excellent food and a beautiful evening that set the tone for the days ahead.
In a nutshell
Finca La Plaza’s food offering is a must try on the island. Pairing fresh, carefully prepared plates with a leafy courtyard setting that feels made for long Ibiza evenings. The sharing-friendly menu makes it a great choice for groups, the romantic surroundings make it well suited to a date night and the cocktail list, a perfect spot before heading to the bars and clubs.
Factbox
Address: Plaza de la Iglesia, 5, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Phone: +34 971 19 73 70
Website: fincalaplaza.com
Images courtesy of Finca La Plaza
