We used to whizz past this place at a rate of knots, take a quick look and say to each other “we must go there one time, it looks amazing”. But we were not sure whether it was a shop or a restaurant, it looked equally inviting all the same. Ses Escoles opened last spring by the owners of San Antonio’s fabulous Club Nautico and Port Balanzat, the long established and highly regarded fish restaurant in Port San Miguel and their business partner and Head Chef, Miguel Llabrés,

We had the pleasure of meeting the charming Miguel one morning at his restaurant when he passionately explained the concept behind Ses Escoles, Ibiza’s first Oleoteca (olive oil mill) using three varieties of wonderful olives – Arbequina, Picual and Empeltre to make 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil under the brand name of Can Michael Guasch. It is a staple ingredient within the dishes and every table in the restaurant adorns the three olive oil bottles (light, medium and full bodied) for all to try.

The restaurant itself is the old converted school of San Lorenzo and the new t décor has been styled with a touch of brilliance. Rustic but chic in a Provencal style, crisp linen, beautiful lighting (which I may steal the idea for my house) and a really impressive open kitchen behind a large glass panel. Because the décor is so understatedly stylish, you would expect this to be reflected in the prices on the menu – but it is amazingly good value, no more than your average priced beach bar. This is what Miguel proudly made a clear point of in our conversation, he wanted it to be affordable to the masses, in particular the locals of the island, a place where they can come and feel special with no pretentiousness. And better still, it is open all year round.

The menu itself is Mediterranean featuring traditional Ibizan dishes with a touch of refinement. Some of the house specialties are the Coca, a type of pizza/flat bread with various traditional and local toppings such as aubergine, fish, sobrassada and goats cheese. There are many typical Ibizan salads, platters of local cheese and Iberian cured meats like botifarro, camallot and ventre. Some of the appertisers feature the eggs (hen and duck) that Miguel brings in every day from his own land. I cheekily asked for a few and bless him, he gave me over a dozen to take home…the best doggie bag ever!

There a chargrill section of the menu that seems most popular among the diners. Island bred meats including suckling lamb chops, veal t-bone steaks, pork shoulder, a Ses Escoles hamburger (which is amazing) that are all served with dauphinoise potatoes and a medley of nice seasonal veggies. Everything is presented with a slight touch of simple refinement without being over fussy. I have had many a good meal here especially the baby squid with confit onions, very delicious. The desserts are homemade which makes a welcome change as they often get overlooked in Ibiza. They have a good house tarte tatin and traditional Greixonera, a kind of light spiced bread pudding served with a chestnut ice cream.

Also worth mentioning is the well presented shop attached to the restaurant that sells the Can Michael Guasch olive oil alongside other island products including Hierbas, sea salt, organic wines, Cacao, coffee and more. I recommend this place! Miguel my lovely egg man and I everything it stands for.

Ses Escoles in on the Sant Joan Road heading north

Phone +34 871 870 229