Es Cactus is a true family style restaurant, pizzaria and bar that really does have something for everyone at any time of day to suit you. With great views over the bay of Cala Tirant and towards Monte Toro at the front, an extensive menu with choices to suit all appetites and budgets and a warm welcome from owners Pili and Juan, you can feel at ease and savour the moment of relaxing with family and friends.

Now in its 18th year, Es Cactus has become a great meeting place with a homely, informal atmosphere that attracts regular customers each year who look forward to their annual get togethers. And, it’s easy to see why as nothing is too much trouble for Pili who ensures everything runs smoothly front of house, while chef Juan runs the efficient kitchen at the back, which stays open throughout the day.

Now in its twelfth year, El Pirata is the longest established restaurant and bar in Coves Noves, behind the resort of Arenal d’en Castell. Having worked there since the early days, current owner Toni took over the premises to develop the restaurant side of the business and become the popular El Pirata of today.

From day one, the emphasis has been on quality home cooked food using only the freshest meat, fish and other ingredients. The succulent kebabs of chicken, steak and salmon served with different marinades and sauces are a speciality, the chicken and lemon being a particular favourite amongst many.

This waterside restaurant, which was previously next door, has relocated this year to bigger premises with a superb outdoor terrace dining area, a reflection of its popularity with locals and visitors to Ciutadella. Now reopened as 5 Pórtes, named after its five door frontage, this completely renovated building is still the perfect venue to enjoy freshly prepared chargrilled meat and fish with lovely views over Ciutadella's picturesque harbour.

Ses Voltes is a magnificent, three storey gastronomic restaurant and bar that takes it name from the characteristic stone arches that line the street, right in the centre of the old town of Ciutadella. Hidden behind its unassuming façade, Ses Voltes offers a multitude of surprises to suit any occasion, mood or hour. As the day progresses, so does Ses Voltes, from that first cup of early morning coffee to late night drinks on the way home.

A fabulous waterside setting between Punta Prima (Son Ganxo) and Binibeca, En Caragol offers superb terrace dining in a relaxed and informal environment and with its French / Spanish origins, the focus is most definitely on the quality of the food, in particular the fresh fish and shellfish.

There is a good selection of starters from €9.00 including mussels, goat’s cheese, prawns, squid, bresaola and salads. The fish, which will most likely be brought to you to inspect, is offered SPM (at market price) and dependent on the size and type, can be ordered cooked to your liking and to share at around €20.00 per person. The Curvina is well worth trying being similar to bass but firmer and more tasty, as is the Pelaya which is similar to sole, but with denser flesh.

There is something not just iconic but also romantic about the 300 year old converted windmill restaurant in Es Mercadal which has become one of Menorca’s most famous landmarks on the main road between Maó and Ciutadella. Having seen several changes of ownership since this restored windmill first opened as a restaurant 27 years ago, Moli d’es Raco (literally, windmill on the corner) is now run with passion by brothers Juan and Jaime who took over the premises four years ago.

The restaurant has always specialised in authentic Menorcan cuisine where the emphasis is on the freshest local ingredients, readily available from the fertile agricultural land surrounding Es Mercadal. In fact, Moli d’es Raco, goes one stage further having its own farmland which produces vegetables as well as lamb, pork and beef.

STOP PRESS: This popular restaurant has now moved next door to a bigger premises with a superb outdoor terrace dining area. Now called 5 Pórtes by Dioni, this is still the perfect venue to enjoy freshly prepared flame grilled meat and fish with great views over Ciutadella's picturesque harbour.

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For great steaks cooked on an open grill, inventive dishes based on local ingredients or traditionally baked pizzas, then Ca Na Marga in Ses Selines, just outside Fornells is the place to go.

Named after the owner, Margarita Villalonga Pons, Ca Na Marga is a family run restaurant for all the family, where everyone can enjoy some of the best Mediterranean and Menorcan barbecue cooking. The restaurant prides itself on offering authenticity and simplicity at their best, with most of the food cooked on the wood fired open grill in the centre of the dining room.

Recently under the new management of Xavi who has worked at the restaurant for many years, Ets Arcs continues to offer traditional Menorcan cooking but with some changes and new additions for 2011.

The restaurant size and style are deceptive from the outside. Once inside, the grand staircase leads to a large, bright and airy first floor restaurant with an equally large open air terrace area at the back, with stunning views towards Monte Toro. In summer, the focus is on outside dining where you can enjoy grilled shellfish, seafood and meats simply prepared and cooked on the wood fired open grill. An early evening drink or dining on the terrace while the setting sun casts its glow over Monte Toro can’t fail to please.

Now well established under the professional management of owners Agustin Suarez and Teresa Sevilla, Alcalde Restaurant and Lounge Bar in Arenal d’en Castell is no longer Menorca's best kept secret, as more people get to know what a magical place this is. Having undergone a complete transformation, keeping only its original name and basic layout, this well established restaurant now offers superb outside terrace dining overlooking the magnificent bay of Arenal, indoor dining in the spacious restaurant, seating areas for more informal eating and drinks as well as a contemporary cocktail lounge. No detail has been spared to ensure your visit to is truly memorable. Children are also well catered for with their own play area and special menu.

A ‘gastro’ bar bistro in the centre of  Addaia village attracting regulars all year round, both resident and holiday makers.

El Castillo (The Castle) is exactly what a local community bar and restaurant should be, a great meeting place to relax and have a drink or two with friends, a reliable venue for some excellent bistro style food and somewhere sociable to join in with what’s going on from sporting events on TV, quiz nights and winter darts tournaments to themed events and festive entertainment according to the season.

Located in one of the side streets in the centre of Es Mercadal, Ca N’Olga has to be one of the prettiest restaurants on the island. Set in a 200 year old beautifully restored townhouse, this little gem of a restaurant is full of character, offering either indoor or outside dining on the covered courtyard style terrace, surrounded by flowering plants and foliage. During the summer months, the terrace dining area extends further with more tables overlooking the quaint walled garden.