For almost four decades, Sa Caleta has been part of Ibiza’s culinary landscape, serving traditional seafood and rice dishes from its setting beside Es Bol Nou in Sant Josep de sa Talaia.

The family-run restaurant was founded in June 1988 by Pepín Pujolet and Victoria Baos, whose background in fishing and family recipes helped shape the restaurant from its early days as a simple beach shack into one of Ibiza’s best-known traditional dining spots. Today, their son Jordi continues to run the business.

From Beach Shack to Ibiza Institution

When Sa Caleta opened, it was a much simpler operation. The restaurant grew from the family's connection to the sea and the fishing traditions of the area, with recipes passed down through the family, including those of Pepín's mother, Catalina Puvil.

The restaurant's official history says that the original concept was built around wood, fishing heritage and the family's hospitality. Over the years, the property developed while retaining its traditional character and its connection to the surrounding coastline.

The family has also maintained a year-round approach to the business. According to Jordi Cardona, the restaurant's current manager, his parents began opening throughout the year during the 1990s, rather than operating only during the summer season.

Traditional Seafood and Local Produce

Seafood remains at the centre of the Sa Caleta menu.

The restaurant's current offering includes fish such as grouper, John Dory, dentex and amberjack, alongside red prawns, lobster, squid and other seafood traditionally used in Ibizan cooking. Its menu also features rice dishes and other recipes rooted in the island's culinary traditions.

The family also works with produce from Can Puvil, its own organic farm, adding vegetables, herbs and other seasonal ingredients to the kitchen.

Among the restaurant's best-known dishes is its Sa Caleta paella, combining seafood and fish with a rich stock. Traditional Ibizan dishes such as bullit de peix and other seafood preparations are also part of the restaurant's culinary identity.

The Story Behind Café Caleta

One of the most recognisable traditions associated with Sa Caleta is Café Caleta.

According to the restaurant, the drink was created by Pep Pujolet, a fisherman from Sa Caleta. The original recipe combines coffee with brandy, sugar, cinnamon and orange and lemon peel, with the alcohol flambéed before the ingredients are combined.

The drink became part of the family's own tradition and has been served at Sa Caleta since the restaurant opened in 1988.

The family has continued to promote Café Caleta as an important part of the restaurant's identity, while the drink itself has become associated more broadly with Ibiza's traditional food and drink culture.

A Restaurant Shaped by the Sea

The setting is an important part of the Sa Caleta experience.

The restaurant sits above Es Bol Nou, with a large terrace overlooking the sea and a wooden interior decorated with fishing memorabilia and objects connected to the family's maritime heritage. There is also a garden area, Es Jardí, beneath pine and juniper trees.

The location is also close to the archaeological site of the Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta, one of Ibiza's important historical sites. Ibiza's official tourism portal describes the settlement as a key archaeological site on the coast of Sant Josep and highlights its connection with the early history of Ibiza.

That makes a visit to the area more than just a meal. Visitors can combine lunch at Sa Caleta with time at Es Bol Nou and a visit to the nearby archaeological site.

Nearly Four Decades of Family Tradition

From its beginnings as a modest seaside chiringuito to its current role as an established restaurant, Sa Caleta has remained closely connected to the same family and the same coastal setting.

The restaurant's official history says its menu has remained rooted in the family's original culinary approach, while the next generation has taken responsibility for continuing the business.

After opening in 1988, Sa Caleta is now approaching four decades of family ownership and operation, making it one of the longstanding examples of traditional Ibiza dining.

For visitors looking to experience another side of the island, Sa Caleta offers something very different from Ibiza's better-known beach clubs and nightlife: fresh seafood, traditional recipes, local produce and a family story that began here in 1988.