This traditional restaurant in the quaint little fishing village of Na Macaret is what relaxed dining with friends and family is all about in Menorca. Set just behind the beach, Acuario has been run with passion and flair for the past 14 years by experienced chef and restaurateur Max and his wife Marta who understand exactly how to make their customers feel welcome.

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.

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.

Ca N’Aguedet has a unique style and elegance that sets it apart from other restaurants in Menorca, the reason no doubt lying in the fact that it is Menorca’s oldest restaurant still in operation. Originally founded by in 1936, it was then run by Agueda Vadell Pons and her husband Miguel Mariano for many years during which time it built up an enviable reputation for producing some of Menorca’s finest cooking.

Continuing as a family run restaurant, the day to day management has since passed onto their children who have inherited the same passion to deliver high quality, traditional Menorcan cuisine for new generations to enjoy. However, far from retiring, at 88 Agueda still keeps a sharp eye on what’s going on and can often be seen in the restaurant making sure everything is in order and the guests are happy. Today, front of house is son Crispin with his brother Miguel Mariano and sister in law Margarita Fullana as head chef and pastry chef respectively.

The clue is in the name and El Pescador or 'The Fisherman' delivers on fresh fish every time and much more besides, making it a great restaurant choice for all the family.

Located on the waterfront with great views over Fornells harbour, the restaurant’s large glass frontage opens up to create an outside covered terrace dining area, with heaters for cooler days in spring and autumn. Inside, the restaurant is bright and airy and the atmosphere is buzzing, which is hardly surprising when you consider the quality of the food and excellent value for money.

A sympathetically converted and classically styled old townhouse just off the Placa d’es Born in Ciutadella, Ca’n Bep specialises in traditional Menorcan cuisine with an emphasis on fish and shellfish.

The Menu del Dia is simple with a choice of 2 starters, 2 main courses plus desserts and bread. Starters may include an avocado and smoked salmon salad starters or Frito Menorquin (various fried meats).

This may be followed by a Fideu Mixta (similar to paella but made with pasta or noodles) with rabbit, chicken, prawns and cigalas (crayfish) or bacalao (cod) topped with aioli au gratin and served with red peppers. With a selection of homemade desserts to finish, the menu is well priced at €14.95 which considering the high quality cooking represents excellent value for money. Drinks are not included.

Under new management since June 2010, this restaurant sympathetically mixes old architecture with new modern features to create a contemporary setting with wonderful triple aspect views over Ciutadella harbour and the main square, Placa des Born.

Serving modern Catalan style cuisine, the Menu del Dia includes 2 courses, bread and dessert. Choices for starters include fabada (a hearty bean and sausage soup) and mussels cooked in beer, followed by main courses such as cod cooked with paprika, grilled bream with garlic and meat balls with squid, all well presented. At €14.50 (inc IVA), Cas Consol represents good value to enjoy an imaginative menu in creative and interesting surroundings.

Coves Noves can claim to have one of the best pizzeria restaurants in the area. Under the experienced ownership of Kiko and his wife Herminia for the past 11 years, Flamingo is the perfect place to eat either before or after a trip to the beautiful sandy beach of Arenal d’en Castell, just a few minutes away.

Well frequented by locals, this family run restaurant is not so well known to holiday makers staying in the surrounding resorts.

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 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.

Las Vegas can be found right in the heart of the pretty market town of Es Mercadal. However, don’t let the name of this town centre bar / restaurant fool you. Far from having an American theme, this is very much a place for locals who know a thing or two about good value Spanish cooking. The only similarity perhaps lies in the huge number of people who flock to dine ‘in Las Vegas’ each year…!