Es Calo

The sea views and attentive service made for a lovely setting, and every dish was prepared with care. We started with crispy, flavorful fried squid, which went beautifully with the light, refreshing cava sangria. From those first plates onward, we knew we were in for a treat. The black rice is easily the best on the island. For a memorable meal with stunning views, this is the place in Formentera.

The views are a huge part of why we keep coming back to Es Calo. We’ve been visiting for eight years, and it’s still one of our favorite places on the island, even if it isn’t cheap. That’s Formentera, I suppose. The carabiñeros meloso rice was delicious, just as the waiter recommended, and the tarta de queso con higos was a real highlight too. The wine, though, left a bad feeling. We’d already chosen a white when the sommelier offered a recommendation for up to 60 euros. He brought a bottle, opened it, and had us try it. We said it was good, then he mentioned it cost a little more. It turned out to be 80 euros. We’d planned to spend 45 at most, so we paid nearly twice that. We could afford it, and the wine was good, but it felt sneaky to be pushed into spending more when our original choice was perfectly fine. We’ll keep coming back and we still love the place, but I hope the wine service feels less pushy next time.

The staff made the whole visit feel special. They were attentive, friendly, and helpful, even taking photos of us and seeming to know what we wanted before we had to ask. The food was the best, and the quiet, almost paradise-like setting made us feel completely at ease. A wonderful experience, and easily the most beautiful, peaceful restaurant on the island. I can only recommend it.

We had a lovely afternoon here, taking our time over lunch and wine. The place has a great outdoor area and a relaxed feel. Prices are high, though you can still find ways to keep the meal affordable. We chose the fish and seafood paella instead of the popular blue or spiny lobster version. It was nicely cooked and presented, with lovely crab, prawns, squid, fish, and mussels.