Valeria, Nieves & Rafael
There are corners of Ibiza that don’t need to shout about themselves. Santa Eulària des Riu has always known this: for decades, its bay, tranquil and generous, has been the natural antidote to the noise of the rest of the island. There, right where the only river in the Balearic Islands meets the Mediterranean, Hotel Riomar has turned its Ocean Brasserie & Bar into more than just a restaurant. It’s a state of mind. A place open to anyone who wishes to enter, with or without a room key, and where time quite simply slows down.
Hotel Riomar has a story to tell before you even reach the table. Opened in its original form in 1968 and completely refurbished to become part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio collection, the building retains that rare quality of hotels that age well: nostalgia and modernity coexist seamlessly. The clean lines, natural materials and unobstructed views of Santa Eulalia Bay create the perfect setting for a gastronomic offering that understood its surroundings before writing its menu.
Ocean Brasserie & Bar unfolds along the hotel’s seafront with the kind of generosity found only in spaces that have nothing to prove. The terrace over the sea, the cool shade of the garden, the contemporary bar with ever-present views. Three atmospheres that converse naturally, designed so that every guest can find their own rhythm, whether over a long lunch at midday or a lingering post-meal conversation that refuses to end.
Honest cuisine facing the Mediterranean
The approach designed by chef Rafael García doesn’t try to impress or surprise with gimmicks. What’s on the table is authentic Mediterranean cuisine, rooted in absolute respect for local and seasonal produce, and brought to the plate with the care and precision of someone who knows that well-executed simplicity is the greatest luxury of all. Fresh fish, pasta prepared with a sure hand, grilled meats and seasonal dishes designed for sharing, because at Ocean Brasserie the table is always a collective act.
At Ocean Brasserie & Bar, it’s the feeling of being exactly where you want to be, without needing anything else
The drinks menu follows that same spirit without excess. Classic and signature cocktails, sangrias made with care and a selection of lemonades that, against the backdrop of Santa Eulalia Bay, are almost a statement of intent: nothing feels unnecessary and everything makes sense.
A week that never repeats itself in quite the same way
Beyond the menu, Ocean Brasserie & Bar maintains a weekly programme that evolves without losing the calm that defines it. The days flow between relaxed lunches and a natural transition towards sunset, when the space takes on a more social atmosphere without betraying its essence. Paella nights and barbecues with live music are the moments when the restaurant’s energy steps up a gear, but always with authenticity, free from the pretentiousness that inevitably crops up elsewhere on the island. Here, the scene comes together naturally.
Behind all this is a team that understands that hospitality isn’t imposed, it’s cultivated. Valeria Dealberto leads the hotel’s food and beverage operations with a clear vision of what Ocean Brasserie wants to be and, above all, what it doesn’t want to be. Rafael García ensures that every dish tells a true story, while Nieves Lacoba orchestrates a warm, natural and unpretentious service that ends up being the most compelling reason to return for many who come through the doors.
For years, Santa Eulària des Riu has been the island’s best-kept secret for those who know how to look beyond the noise. In that context, Ocean Brasserie & Bar is its finest culinary ambassador. An unpretentious place where the Mediterranean does almost all the work, and where the Riomar team ensures that no one has any reason to leave a moment too soon.
