Javier and Emanuel
On an island like Ibiza, accustomed to extravagance, excessive luxury and fleeting fads, it’s rare to find places that surprise with their simplicity. El Carnicero does just that. Not just because of its meat, which is also excellent, or its impeccable track record spanning more than a decade. What really makes an impression at this restaurant is the unexpected: every time you walk through the door, something will surprise you. The latest addition is its lush cactus garden, which, mixed with vines, fig trees and pomegranate trees, appears like a mirage in the middle of the city and has become one of the most unique spots of Ibiza’s nightlife.
When the sun goes down, El Carnicero awakens. As the light fades and the island transforms, this spot between city and countryside begins to spring to life. The coals are lit, the tables are set, and the cactus garden, that little hidden oasis, takes on a life of its own. No need to book a table. No need to order a steak. Just walk in, sit at the bar or beside the cacti, and let the atmosphere draw you in. The garden has become a meeting point for those seeking a different experience; one that’s relaxed, intimate and sensory.
T-bone
Meat and much more
El Carnicero’s menu is a declaration of love for great ingredients. Its offering revolves around carefully selected meats from national and international suppliers, with special attention paid to how they are matured and cooked. From Galician aged beef, with its distinctive depth of flavour, to premium cuts of American Black Angus, Australian steaks or Argentine sirloin, every piece here follows one rule: excellence without pretence.
The fire, visible, alive and open, is its greatest ally. The embers set the pace in the kitchen and define its character. It’s not just about grilling meat, but about interpreting each cut, understanding its fibres, its fat, how it reacts to heat. That’s why, alongside technique, El Carnicero relies on a team of experts in butchery and ageing, who take great care of every piece before it reaches the grill.
Chuletón
Although El Carnicero was born with a passion for grilling, in its more than ten years of history, the restaurant has found a balance between loyalty to its raw ingredients and adapting to new ways of enjoying food. In this vein, opening the garden to people who haven’t come for dinner has broadened its audience, diversified the experience and reinforced the venue’s personality as a social space, not just a culinary one. You can arrive late, without a booking, order a cocktail, choose a glass from its extensive and surprising by-the-glass wine list and simply be. Watch the night go by among cacti and palm trees, while jazz or soft electronic music plays in the background. Sounds good, right?
This approach has especially struck a chord with locals and with visitors looking for an alternative to the usual pre-night rituals. It’s not a club, not a beach club and not your typical restaurant. El Carnicero is a place with its own identity, with low lighting, long conversations and that kind of discreet luxury that only comes about when everything is measured yet nothing feels forced.
From the garden at El Carnicero, between dim lights and the scent of the countryside, the island takes on a different feel. The hustle and bustle feels far away, the meat rests on the coals, the cocktail shaker moves at an easy pace. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need to shout to be remembered. Spend a night, or even just a few hours, and you’ll understand that some parts of Ibiza still know how to keep a secret.
