Located in prime position on the corner of the Puerto Deportivo in Santa Eulalia, in what was formerly the Pacha shop, Tamarama is a fresh looking cafe/deli/restaurant making waves in its inaugural season on the island. Everything about this place is fresh; the inviting and clean decor, the attitude of the owner and staff and of course the sumptuous homemade food, all freshly prepared each day from the open plan kitchen.
On the waterfront
After easily finding parking, somewhat to my surprise given it was the busy evening time in August, a brief stroll along the paseo (promenade) lead directly onto Tamarama's harbour-side spot. The imposing host building has been given a clean start with classic white exterior and some loving finishing touches, most notably a new covered terrace space and the sparkling signage adorned with the soon-to-be well recognised red chilli logo. Warm smiles and welcoming chat greeted us upon arrival and before long we were sat comfortably outside watching the world go by, so close to the waterfront in fact that we were practically amongst the luxury boats moored up in the harbour. As with much of the island, the sunset hour is a magical time when the blazing heat and vibrance of the day gives way to that nocturnal Mediterranean sizzle and the anticipation of the night ahead.
Select menu
A refreshing mix of fresh juices was on the table to quench our thirst within minutes of our arrival whilst we sampled the compact range of food choices, which, due to its size and variation, instantly gave the feel that every dish on the menu was a select choice. It was clear these dishes had been deliberately hand-picked as the best on offer and were therefore likely to be fine-tuned to perfection. This was music to my ears as I find it so unappealing to see reams of generic dishes some restaurants feel the need to offer, ultimately meaning zero love or attention is given in their preparation. Thankfully, it also eliminated the pointless turning of rafts of pages trying to pick something out from an enormous menu, although, the smaller choice didn't make deciding that easier……everything sounded delicious.
Fresh calamari
Having opted fo a personal favourite of mine for starter - tasty spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce - it was my guest's dish of calamari that had us both intrigued. As we devoured breaded ring one after the other, it actually took a few minutes for us to work out just what the difference was with these calamari compared to the tons of other places I've eaten them in Ibiza. The answer was simple: they were fresh and home-made. No deep freeze, no rubbery taste, the opposite in fact. It seems such a straight forward point to make a fuss of, but as we all know, it is often the simple things in life that are the best. In Ibiza, fresh calamari are always a winner.
Already stuffed - not helped by the schoolboy error demolition of the bread and alioli along with a fistful of olives pre-starter - my main course landed. It was a sirloin steak the size of my head, so large we both laughed due to its size. Diving straight in, it was cooked to perfection, medium rare with each bite melting in the mouth as you wish for whenever you order steak. Nostalgic British pangs had urged my guest to order the Fish n Chips and she wasn't disappointed, again all totally fresh with the homemade breaded cod giving it a unique flavour, accompanied by home made fries, tartar sauce and a tasty salad. Our expectations were most definitely surpassed, I think influenced by pre-conceptions about what we might get based on our choices. This was a different quality.
It would have been rude to leave without sampling some of the homemade desserts, despite our bulging stomachs, so the Lemon Drizzle cake and Brownies were consumed rapidly and we waddled off into the night enchanted by this new beacon for good quality fresh food.
Informal and fresh
Undoubtedly one of the most positive points about Tamarama is the the informal nature and relaxed atmosphere of both the food, service and surroundings. There is absolutely zero pretentiousness, no attempt to over-complicate the menu with fancy words or dishes to give off some appearance. It's simply quality, tasty, fresh food and to that end, it doesn't matter if it's fish n chips or coq au vin. Moreover, there is a subtle element here that goes to the heart of what will make Tamarama a solid fixture in Santa Eulalia in the years to come. The menu is full of familiar foods, which naturally will appeal to many people, but the standard of these dishes is much higher than what people will be accustomed to. Everyone has had a burger before, but the range in quality is enormous, Tamarama's choices will make it hard to go back to anything you've eaten previously. This is the surprise element at play, with many food favourites available, the freshness and quality of what's on offer will make these classic dishes an instant hit.
Quick Facts
What: Tamarama
Where: Puerto Deportivo, Santa Eularia
When: Open all day: 10:30am - 01:30am. Every day except Monday.
Planning to stay open all year around, with a small break around New year.
Why: Simple, fresh food favourites in an informal, friendly and open environment.
Average spend per head: €25-€30 plus drinks. (based on 3 courses)
Veggie Options: Not lots, but yes.
Disabled Access: Yes, really easy access
Baby and Toddler friendly: Lots of space and easy access for children and toddlers.
Room for improvement: Not much given it's only been open 2 months, expect the menu to grow and flourish over time
Top Tip: Visit by day for breakfast, lunch and deli options. It's already a favourite with the boating community on the hunt for tasty takeaway lunch.
WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY | E. Anton
