Eating Out in Tenerife - do it in style or watch the pennies!

eating out in tenerife

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eating out in tenerife

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MY PERSONAL EATING OUT RECOMMENDATIONS

These are restaurants I have eaten at on more than one occasion and can heartily recommend. Some of them are not that well-known - especially by tourists!


Traditional Spanish/Canarian

El Paraiso, in the town of Valle San Lorenzo, about 15 minutes drive from Los Cristianos. It serves Canarian food, but also caters for British tastes.

Restaurante Excalibur, in the village of Cabo Blanco. One of those “hidden gem” places that not many people know about yet. Also about 15 minutes’ drive from Los Cristianos.

La Tasca De Mi Abuelo. Quite a mouthful, but I gather it means something like “granddad’s pub”! In the centre of Los Cristianos, this is typically Canarian, especially popular with the locals. Please note, this restaurant is no more, its premises now being occupied by an Italian one called L'Italiano.

Casa Pedro, at Las Chafiras. This is really a hidden gem and is known only to a few ex-pats, certainly not many tourists. Just off the motorway, on the way to the airport.

Restaurante San Martin, at Cabo Blanco. Known locally to Brits as "The Pig Farm", this Canarian restaurant specialises in suckling pig and caters for large groups.

La Buena Paella, in Los Cristianos. Unusually, a genuine Canarian restaurant in a tourist area, with low, low prices.

For a review, by Tenerife journalist John Riddle, of the restaurant El Cine in Los Cristianos, click here.

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eating out in tenerife

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Restaurantes Tipicos (very cheap, no frills)

Las Rosas, on the road into Las Galletas. Not a complete absence of frills, but getting there.

Staff are okay. After serving you, they generally leave you alone to get on with your meal. It also seems to be a meeting place for locals. There are often several animated converstions in progress!

Food is good, prices reasonable. There is some complimentary bread with dips placed on your table before they bring your first course. They’re so keen to serve, you sometimes get your main course before you finish your starter!

There's not that much of a need to reserve a table, but if you want to phone them, the number is (+34) 922 731471.

La Bamba, Guargacho. On the main road of this small village not far from Las Galletas, this is yet another typical Canarian restaurant/bar.

This is a true restaurante típico, very basic, but with good food and, because it has no airs and graces, low, low prices.

There are many of these eating places around, all of an equally high standard, but cheap.

Telephone: (+34) 670 813475.

El Parador, again in Guargacho. Pretty much a carbon copy of La Bamba.

If you are prepared to experience the true Tenerife eating out experience, you literally are spoilt for choice.

Bar Apolo, Apolo Centre, Los Cristianos. Now you are getting down to the bare essentials.

The beauty of this tapas bar/eatery is that it opens late in the evening and stays open more or less all night! Ideal if it's about 3 in the morning and you've got a rumbling tum.

Many of the acts that provide Tenerife's live entertainment make their way to it when they finish.

Very, very basic, but try the pincho (kebab) with fried potatoes (not chips) coated in the hot, red mojo sauce, or one of the arepas (sort of pasty made of potato, with choice of filling).

Just the job as a convenient place if you're peckish, late on.

Extra Tip Did you know that every main petrol station has a bar/restaurant attached to it and they can all be relied on to provide excellent food at low prices.

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eating out in tenerife

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International Cuisine

Restaurante China on the Patch, Las Americas.

There is a profusion of Chinese restaurants in Tenerife, all pretty much the same standard. Except one. Although its name, translated into English is the rather uninspiring "Restaurant China", the food and service are far from it.

The Khong Tsha found on Parque Santiago 3, in Las Americas.

Another fine Chinese restaurant, with an excellent reputation.

Fu Xin Chinese restaurant, Los Cristianos.

Our latest go-to Cantonese restaurant.

La Taqueria Mexican restaurant, in Gaurgacho.

An authentic, culinary outpost of Mexico.

Rosie's Cantina Another Mexican restaurant, this time in Los Cristianos.

Excellent Mexican food, in plush surroundings.

Good Old British Food

Rumours Restaurant In Los Cristianos.

Typically British fare, of an exceptionally high standard. This restaurant closed down and was sold. Now reopened, under new management - we've yet to check it out!

Scampi's In Los Cristianos.

A traditional fish-and-chip shop/restaurant - with quality!

For a review, by Tenerife journalist John Riddle, of the Irish restaurant Devon Arms Los Cristianos, click here.

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eating out in tenerife

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Of course, I can't have visited every restaurant on the island (or I'd be even fatter than I am now), so here follows a list of other eating establishments that have received glowing reports from customers.

ADEJE

• El Molino Blanco
  Its name meaning "The White Windmill", this has got to be one of the best restaurants in Tenerife.
• Harley's American Restaurant and Bar
  As its name suggests, an oasis of the US-of-A in the heart of Las Americas. A stylish, quality establishment serving international cuisine, as well as traditional American.
• El Dorado
  A fine Mexican restaurant found in the Fañabe area.
• San Marco
  A quality Italian restaurant situated in the El Duque Commercial Centre.
• Pinocho
  An Italian restaurant ideal for families.
• Banana Garden
  A fine Mexican restaurant with such a good entertainment programme that it's included in my "nightlife in Tenerife" page.
• Restaurante Zena
  A primarily Italian restaurant also offering an international menu, found in San Eugenio Alto, up the hill behind Las Americas.
• La Torre del Mirador
  An extra special eatery featuring mainly Canarian and Spanish food, situated at Playa del Duque.
• Pipo
  A Finnish cafe right on the beachfront with stunning views of the sea.

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eating out in tenerife

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ARONA

• American Dreamz
  A restaurant specialising in American and Tex/Mex cuisine, adorned with Americana
• Bianco
  An outstanding Italian restaurant
• Bombay Blue
  A superb Indian restaurant
• Domus Aurea
  A fine Italian restaurant
• El Embrujo & La Lola
  El Embrujo is a restaurant delivering superb Spanish food, paired with a tapas bar called La Lola
• El Greco
  As the name suggests, a Greek restaurant located in the Safari Commercial Centre in Las Americas.
• Gran Reserva Safari
  Authentic Spanish cuisine
• Hacienda Miranda
  Mexican food par excellance
• Il Piccolo
  Specialising in homecooked Italian cuisine
• La Estancia
  An excellent French restaurant
• Los Naranjeros
  A charming Canarian restaurant in the village of Cabo Blanco
• Mongolian BBQ
  True Mongolian cuisine, with Asian, Chinese and Russian influences
• Restaurante Margarita
  British-run, but offering Spanish, Canarian and Italian cuisine
• Sal Negra
  Spanish tapas at their best
• Sama Sama
  A small Italian restaurant/tapas bar ideal for chilling

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eating out in tenerife

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LOS GIGANTES

• El Rincón de Juan Carlos
  A restaurant offering Spanish cuisine, delivered with a unique flair
• Miranda's
  International cuisine from a restaurant based in a traditional Canarian house, complete with wooden balcony
• Maxims
  A Belgian restaurant offering food from its own country, plus France
• CK's Bistro
  A charming little bistro serving first class, homemade British food in a convivial setting
• La Mariposa
  An attractive Belgian-owned restaurant offering French bistro-style cuisine
• Pasteleria Bamboo
  Though not strictly a restaurant, worth a mention here. A pastry and cake shop offering tasty homemade French pastries and cakes all day
• Restaurante Tajinaste
  Formerly the Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar, featuring a formidable live entertainment package, this venue has now been rebranded and is an out and out restaurant

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eating out in tenerife

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LA OROTAVA

• El Restaurante Lucas Maes
  A fine restaurant, in a beautiful setting.
• Sabor Canario
  Charming restaurant situated in a 16th century traditional house serving Canarian cuisine
• Bodegon Matias
  A family run Canarian bistro
• Zona Kiu
  Another charming traditional building housing this restaurant offering Spanish cuisine
• Rincon de Mario
  A charming Canarian restaurant situated in a traditional building
• Restaurante Victoria
  Part of a hotel in the old town area, offering Spanish cuisine
• La Duquesa
  A traditional Canarian restaurant with very economical prices
• Aguamansa
  A typical Canarian restaurant with amazingly low prices
• La Bodeguita de Enfrente
  A Canarian restaurant a cut above the rest
• Casa Nicasio
  A small restaurant found somewhere on the mountain road leading out of La Orotava, near the village of Aguamansa. On offer is basic, rustic-style Canarian cuisine. No other information than that, I'm afraid.
• Asia Chic
  As the name suggests, a chic establishment serving Japanese cuisine
• Osaka
  A Japanese sushi restaurant
• Swiss House
  Swiss cuisine is something not everyone will be familiar with, but at this restaurant, it will be worth a try!

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eating out in tenerife

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PUERTO DE LA CRUZ

• Restaurante Regulo
  A five-star eatery, up in the north
• Casa Lala
  Traditional Canarian cuisine
• El Duende
  Based on Canarian, the excellent cuisine is a very personal interpretation by the chef
• El Correillo
  Situated in a traditional building, offering Canarian and international dishes with a unique twist
• La Muralla
  Serving quality Canarian tapas
• El Abuelo
  Spanish cuisine, especially Castillian
• La Casa Gallega
  Galacian cuisine, specialising in fish and seafood
• La Ganania
  Spanish cuisine to gourmet standard
• Magnolia
  Fine Catalonian cuisine
• La Parrila
  Specialising in barbecued meat and fish
• Los Faroles
  Barbecues and rice dishes
• Casino Taoro
  The casino features its own restaurant, serving international dishes
• Mil Sabores
  Very stylish and sophisticated restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine
• Marisqueria Tic-Tac
  Steaks and seafood
• El Bar Cubano
  A genuine Cuban bar, serving food from that country, plus Spanish and Mexican tapas
• Pancho Villa
  As the name suggests, a Mexican restaurant offering spectacular Tex-Mex dishes
• La Rosa Di Bari
  Italian cuisine with sophistication and style
• Mamma Rosa
  Offering superb, quality Italian cuisine
• Le Bistro de Yves
  Mainly French cuisine - hailed by some as the best restaurant in Puerto
• Masti
  Superb Indian cuisine
• Indian Palace
  An excellent Indian restaurant
• The Oriental
  Found in the five-star Hotel Botanico, specialising in oriental and Thai cuisine
• Calabacin
  German vegetarian restaurant
• Cafe Royal
  Living up to its "cafe" title, serving snacks of cakes, pies and pastries, plus teas and coffee
• Bodegon Paraguas
  Lunchtime only Canarian restaurant very popular with locals and those in the know

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eating out in tenerife

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SANTA CRUZ

• Fundacion
  Beautifully appointed restaurant, serving Canarian cuisine
• La Cuchara
  Unique, intimate dining experience, featuring Canarian cuisine
• Meson Los Monjes
  Charming Canarian restaurant also featuring Basque and Castilian cuisine, all delivered with a personal touch
• Atenas
  Long established, intimate eatery, featuring Canarian and oriental food
• Cueva Caprichosa
  Unusual restaurant situated in a cave and specialising in meat dishes
• Clavijo Treinta y Ocho
  One of the finest restaurants in Santa Cruz, offering quality Spanish cuisine
• La Tasca de La Bodega
  Gourmet Spanish restaurant with a great wine cellar
• Los Cuatro Postes
  Superb Spanish/Castilian restaurant where you could do a bit of celebrity spotting!
• Don Pelayo
  Idiosyncratic Asturian cuisine
• El Bacalao de La Cazuela
  Another venue for celebrity spotting! Offering Basque and French cuisine
• El Coto de Antonio
  Very popular restaurant, serving Basque and Canarian cuisine
• La Cazuela
  Well established Basque restaurant with a great wine cellar
• La Romana
  A quality Italian restaurant whose chef manages to include Spanish and oriental influences!
• Primi
  In a prime location amongst Santa Cruz landmarks, this Italian restaurant is declared by many to be the best on the island
• Restaurante Gom
  Superb French restaurant with master chef Victor Cruz at the helm
• La Posada del Pez
  A superb French restaurant whose kitchen is headed by a chef with an impressive pedigree
• Azafran
  Nice, well appointed restaurant, offering international cuisine
• El Covacho
  Nice restaurant with two chefs, one Columbian, the other Danish. Imagine the fusion dishes that result!
• Sinfonia
  A restaurant that has earned its reputation through word of mouth
• Jardin de Tacaronte
  Situated in the Hotel Silken Atlantida, offering international cuisine
• Los Menceyes
  Found within the Hotel Sheraton Mencey, offering international cuisine
• Dafne
  Quality traditional Greek dishes
• Capadokya
  Restaurant offering superb quality, traditional Turkish dishes
• Estambul
  Another superb Turkish restaurant
• Sukothay
  Very elegant Japanese restaurant, specialising also in Thai cuisine
• Maha Kala
  Nice restaurant offering Asian, Oriental and Italian cuisine

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eating out in tenerife

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LA LAGUNA

• Restaurante Silbo Gomero
  Award winning Canarian restaurant
• Asador Neke
  A Spanish restaurant specialising in roast meats
• La Hoya del Camello
  A Canarian/Spanish restaurant with influences from the area of Valencia
• Chez Stephane
  A French restaurant run by a Belgian chef with an amazing pedigree
• L'Amuse Bouche
  Five-star Spanish/Canarian cuisine, with a fusion of traditional and modern

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CANDELARIA

• La Casona del Vino
  Traditional Canarian cuisine

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eating out in tenerife

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