“I was a very lonely child, therefore I created my own universe,” the Argentinean architect Luis Laplace told Cabana magazine in 2023. Embracing that lifelong propensity for world-building, he left Buenos Aires in 1996 for New York, where he took a job under the architect Annabelle Selldorf.

Five years later, at a Christmas party in Chelsea, Laplace met Christopher Comoy, a financier. They fell in love and moved to Paris in 2004, where Laplace founded his eponymous firm, soon joined by Comoy as business partner. The studio has since designed spaces from France to Mexico, with a particular sensitivity to the art that will inhabit them, making Laplace a go-to collaborator for artists such as Rashid Johnson and Jenny Holzer, and collectors including Manuela Wirth.

In 2021, Wirth hired Laplace to open a Hauser & Wirth outpost on the Spanish island of Minorca. It was there, while scouting locations, that he and Comoy fell for Casa Santa Magdalena, a 19th-century farmhouse the couple has since turned into a quiet personal retreat. Here, Laplace shares his favorite spots on the island he now calls home.

Cantina

Located next to the Hauser & Wirth gallery we designed, this restaurant contributes to the magic of Isla del Rey. Just a short boat ride from the Mahón harbor, it’s the perfect place for dinner, which is served alfresco under wild olive trees. One of my favorite places on Minorca, Cantina is where everything meets: food, sea views, nature, and art. (cantinamenorca.com)

Pigalle

You’ll find some of the island’s finest jamón crudo sandwiches here, served on freshly baked bread, with a side of great coffee. A little café in Mahón across the street from an antique shop, it’s an authentic spot to pause and soak in the local atmosphere. (instagram.com)

Sa Llagosta

A restaurant set above the harbor of Fornells, a quiet fishing village on the island’s north coast, defined by its sheltered bay and working boats. I had the finest lobster I’ve ever had there—I’d recommend it simply grilled or prepared in a traditional stew.

Can Vermut

For street tapas in Mahón. Order many small dishes and try the amazing local vermouths! (canvermut.com)

Ulisses

Head to Ulisses for a very local experience with fresh fish dishes served in front of the Ciutadella fish market. (ulissesbar.com)

S’Amarador

If you’re traveling as a large group, head to S’Amarador, a relaxed, family-style seafood restaurant on the harbor of Ciutadella de Menorca. I love their paellas. (samarador.com)

TEMBO

Easy linen clothing designed by Vichy Mozo Cervera, a local friend. Perfect for the summer. (instagram.com)

La Cereria

La Cereria is a fashion boutique for men and women that opened over ten years ago. The owners’ aim was to create an open-minded space committed to championing craftsmanship and manual skills. (lacereriamenorca.com)

Tabouret

Curated by Isis Colombe, this gallery sells avant-garde objects alongside crafts and artworks. (tabouret.design)

Antics Antigüedades

If you’re in Mahón and heading toward Ciutadella de Menorca, stop by Ivo Mercadal Vilches’s vintage shop. It’s one of the best spots on the island for well-chosen pieces and considered finds. (antiguedadesmenorca.com)

Can-Sancia

If you’re looking for a nice house gift, stop at Rafael Gimenez’s store in San Clemente. There’s a bit of everything, from ceramics to candles. (instagram.com)