Ibiza insider Taryn Ross heads for surf shacks and beachy boltholes

The jet set editor of Urban Junkies gives us the low-down on lo-fi Ibiza.

Ibiza devotee Taryn Ross is the founder of award-winning newsletter and digital platform Urban Junkies (UJ), London’s first e-newsletter. She has previously created a digital guide, published a print magazine and launched an app, all dedicated to the island. Taryn is obsessed with the lo-fi, authentic side of Ibiza and has the inside track on everything from seafood shacks to private parties. The Independent newspaper calls her ‘one of the 100 most influential people in the creative and media industries’. We call her an Ibiza junkie, which is why we asked her to take us on a whistlestop tour of her under-the-radar island favourites.

Taryn Ross

Balneario Cala Carbó

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This traditional seafood restaurant is almost hidden in the cove of Cala Carbó. It’s a local fave and gets super busy, especially on Sundays.

Chiringuito Cala Gracioneta

The Café Mambo family’s dreamy restaurant by the sea. I love it here at night - order the scorpion fish and Javier’s margarita and settle in under the moon.

Kiosco Cala Boix

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A basic yellow shack overlooking the black sands of this northern beach (one of the few in Ibiza that gets waves, so bring a bodyboard). The menu is simple - bocadillos, tortillas and salads – and the vibe is pure old-school.

Kiosko Cala Mastella

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This is a serious beachside gem with grilled sardines, frito de pulpo and oil-slicked homemade potato chips. They also serve chilled hierbas made at Bar Anita, arguably the best on the island.

The Fish Shack

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The one and only. Home to squid and gambas, dorado, seabass, ice-cold Estrellas and the best host on the island - Samir. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than on the rocks at The Shack.

Bar Flotante

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This one is chosen largely for the plastic chair factor – I’m a sucker for a retro vibe. Flotante does epic breakfasts and seems to float – hence the name – on the turquoise waters of Talamanca beach.

Chiringuito Pou des Lleó

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The winter spot, I come here for lively conversation, a rowdy atmosphere and fish served in the pan. It’s great in the summer too, just busier. There’s a great hike out to an ancient pirate tower afterwards.

Aquarium Cap Blanc

A true Ibiza original, this lo-fi little aquarium has a small, simple, shack-like structure over the water that hosts a sardinada (sardine grill) on Fridays. Totally off the beaten track and perfectly authentic.

Ses Boques

Hidden in the trees in a teeny cove, this family-run restaurant in the sand is a little piece of paradise. Stay calm on the cliffside drive there – it’s pretty dicey!

Xiringuito Xuclar

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It doesn’t get more romantic than this – Cal Xuclar is a rugged northern cove strung with festoon lighting that’s home to a sandy-toes beach bar with director’s chairs, a chalkboard menu and fish straight from the sea. Perfection.