There are some places you visit where you just want to stay longer because everything about it is just so damn good. House of WOW, in Santa Gertrudis, is already a favourite for those in the know, and it’s about time everybody joined the club. This tranquil oasis with its beautiful garden, great food at – something increasingly rare nowadays – affordable prices, relaxed atmosphere and truly attentive staff has revamped, recharged and become a magnet for a diverse, clued-up crowd that gets bigger by the day. Why? Attention to detail, friendliness and charm, exquisite food and a feeling that you are part of an easy-going informal social scene with a real buzz. An authentic spot loved by locals and visitors alike, House of WOW is that rare thing: a place you can go for pre-dinner drinks, good food, post-dinner drinks and a slice of real culture.
The garden
Lush, cool, green and tropical, the garden terrace at House of WOW offers a large, light, welcoming space with tons of options. There are small intimate tables for two tucked among the pot plants, larger group tables (with an eclectic mix of rather magnificent funky chairs), and even little two-seat sofas for a relaxed early-evening aperitif. What’s lovely is that the garden is big enough to find a little nook if you want to, but designed so that everyone feels part of the general buzz. Off the terrace are comfortable bigger sofas and covered cabañas out in the open garden. We popped in for a drink… and stayed for four hours. There’s also good music, and orders are taken and delivered swiftly with good humour. NATIV kind of vibes. Another nice addition in a quiet corner of the garden is a long table under a magically lit vine-covered frame, where a group of 20 could easily spend a happy night.
Step inside
The inside bar space at House of WOW offers a slicker, more sophisticated feel, but easily retains the ambience and informal, friendly tone. Before you get inside, however, there is a beautiful covered terrace, in-between the garden outside and the inside bar – a lovely area with tropical plants, a little jungle oasis where guests can eat and drink. This relaxing, open-to-the air covered terrace is the focal point for both the bar and for diners, a breezy, chill space ideal for meals and drinks. Tables with vintage style seating, pillars created from bare tree-trunks, super-comfortable, big, low sofa areas for larger groups. If you just want a quick drink at the bar, no problem. Grab a bar-stool and watch your margarita appear as if by magic, just seconds later. Perfect for long, lazy evenings with friends, the indoor bar also features eclectic and soulful music – a refreshing change from a lot of Ibiza’s offerings – and is open to 3am.
Food and drink
New chef Cristina Dueñas Gledson is putting together a brilliant menu mixing classic dishes with comfort food, bringing in the very best seasonal and local ingredients, and making something that doesn’t just taste amazing, but is also affordable and offers something for everyone. A little sample to whet your appetite: the Ibicenco chicken thigh and mashed potato, which was so damn good we re-ordered it twice! The falafel burger with a side tortilla disappeared in under five minutes, and, refreshingly, the green salad, described as XL on the menu, actually was extra large! This is great food, simply but elegantly presented with no messing around. The cocktail menu is classic, and none the worse for it: sometimes all you want is a dry martini. Or two. At House of WOW we’re pretty certain you’ll stay for more than one!
