Sa Capella — Restaurant in Sant Antoni de Portmany

The Mambo Group has undertaken a Herculean task in transforming Sa Capella, one of Ibiza's most iconic culinary establishments. And what a dance it has been—like a ballerina en pointe, they've balanced the sanctity of history with a daring pirouette into the future. While the restaurant's walls remain steeped in historical reverence—the unconsecrated chapel standing as a vestige of a bygone era—the culinary ethos marks a significant departure.

In yesteryears, dining at Sa Capella was akin to a gastronomic tour through the very soil and waters of Ibiza. Each dish was an ode to local and regional specialties, narrating the island's culinary tale one course at a time. Fast forward to today, and under the stewardship of the Mambo Group, the narrative has broadened its scope. While there might be an occasional nod to local flavors, the core philosophy is decidedly global. The accent is on quality, transcending geographical barriers. This new emphasis could be seen as a sacrifice by some or as an exciting evolution by others, depending on your lens.

Let us now step inside the dining experience. As my guest and I surrendered to the comforts of the evening, we were met by staff who seemed to redefine the very concept of service. Dressed in linen so finely tuned to the setting it was almost poetic, they catered to our every whim with a refinement that came close to redefining the term 'perfection.' Here, Leah, Alex, and Mateo deserve a standing ovation for conducting the night’s proceedings like virtuosos, pulling disparate elements into a harmonious tapestry of culinary and service excellence.

The menu itself was an opus, a collection of culinary compositions that, for the most part, sang in a melodious chorus. The Anchovies in Vinegar, for instance, seemed to elevate the dish to an art form, while the tomato and onion salad with tuna belly was nothing short of a revelation. Alas, the steak tartare missed a beat—a lone off note in a serenade of flavors. Yet, it was more than made up for by the crescendo of mains like solomillo and lamb chops that were nothing short of symphonic.

And then, there was the bill. It arrived like the final chord of a complex musical piece, reverberating long after it was struck. In that moment, Sa Capella’s new narrative became fully transparent—this was a restaurant reborn in a higher economic stratosphere. A realm that forced me to confront what the term 'special' had come to mean for me in relation to this institution.

If your budget allows you to comfortably step into this reimagined culinary dreamscape, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. The Mambo Group has not merely carried on a legacy; they have enriched it, offering a fresh narrative laden with potential. Yet for me, this was a swan song—a bittersweet farewell to a stage where so many of my life’s special acts have played out. I part ways knowing that the Mambo Group's avant-garde vision promises a new lineage of cherished memories for future patrons, each just as magnificent as those that have...

There’s no denying that Sa Capella is a stunning setting. The former chapel makes for a truly unique and beautiful backdrop, and the welcome was warm and friendly. However, being seated outside was a real letdown. The terrace felt distinctly second-rate compared to the breathtaking interior, and sitting outdoors came with added frustrations, namely, mosquitos. If you do go, make sure to bring repellent, and absolutely request a table inside to get the full experience.

Service started off well, but quickly became inconsistent. Our initial waiter seemed engaged but then vanished for most of the evening, with several different staff taking over. While everyone was pleasant enough, the service felt impersonal and a bit disjointed, perhaps due to the staff being distracted by earpieces and unclear communication.

On the positive side, the cocktails were the standout, beautifully crafted and full of flavour. The chocolate cake was divine, rich and indulgent and was a real highlight. Unfortunately, the rest of the food didn’t live up to expectations. It was average at best and didn’t justify the steep prices. The vegetable dishes had a touch of finesse, but at €30 a plate, they should have wowed.

We were also disappointed by the lack of child-friendly options. Even though our daughter isn’t a fussy eater, there was nothing suitable for her on the menu. She ended up eating just the potato bread that accompanied the pastrami. When one of the staff noticed and asked what she was eating, it would have been a kind gesture to offer something extra, but nothing was suggested. We had to stop and get her food on the way home.

There were also a few missed or misunderstood drinks orders. While these were resolved quickly, they added to the sense of a lack of attention to detail.

We booked Sa Capella knowing it was at the higher end of the price scale, and were prepared for a premium experience but with a €460 bill for two starters, two mains, one dessert, and a few drinks each, we expected a flawless, memorable evening. Sadly, the experience didn’t deliver.

If you’re drawn to the venue for its beauty (and it really is spectacular), book early and insist on sitting inside. Otherwise, the value just...

This experience should’ve been a 5 star one but as soon as you meet the host and she lies to your face, there is nothing that the food, the service, or the atmosphere can do to change the experience.

We made a reservation online in May to eat inside the Chapel. Not only did we call to make sure that our reservation was inside, but we also had an email confirmation. As soon as we got to the place, the arrogant host told us (with a fake smile) that all online reservations are for the terrace. This is a complete lie.

The food was very good, but the whole point of going all the way there and paying this high price is to have the whole experience and to eat inside the chapel, which is beautiful. Instead, we had to eat in the terrace when it was 30 degrees Celsius outside, making it an overpriced experience.

Don’t get me wrong, all the waiters were amazing, but the arrogant host ruined the experience. She either has too much power or the owner has a terrible system that doesn’t work.

How hard is it to make sure that the system clearly states where you are going to be seated? They are either incompetent, or this is a scam.

—— This is my response to their response to my initial review:

A high end restaurant (or a place as expensive as this) will acknowledge and own up to their mistake, and even reach out. As a costumer, that is all you need. Anyone can make a mistake. However, this place literally just ‘copied and pasted’ the same exact response for all negative reviews… Even if the complaints are totally unrelated.

I shouldn’t be surprised that I’m getting such an “empty” response from this poorly managed restaurant. Without the chapel, this place is just an...