The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa, known for year-round mild weather, volcanic landscapes, and beaches across islands including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura.
Canarian cuisine reflects the islands' unique history — indigenous Guanche staples (gofio, goat, fish), Spanish colonial influences, and African proximity. The result is a distinctive cuisine unlike anywhere in mainland Spain. Papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo sauce are the definitive Canarian dish. Fresh Atlantic seafood dominates menus — cherne (wreckfish), vieja (parrotfish), and atún rojo (bluefin tuna) are local highlights. Gofio (toasted grain flour) appears everywhere from porridge to ice cream. The Canary Islands' low tax rate (IGIC 7%) keeps restaurant prices below mainland Spain.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Canarian
Canarian Traditional
Spanish
Seafood
Mediterranean
Gomerian
International
Italian
Food tours & tastings in Canary Islands
Eat your way through Canary Islands with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Papas arrugadas con mojo
Small potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until the skin wrinkles and salts up, served with mojo rojo (red) or mojo verde (green). The definitive Canarian street food found at every market and festival.
Find it at: Markets, festivals, local bars across all islands
Bocadillo de atún
A crusty bread roll filled with fresh local tuna, often with tomato and olive oil. Sold at harbour-side cafes and markets near fishing ports.
Find it at: Puerto Rico (Gran Canaria), Las Palmas harbour, Santa Cruz port
Churros con chocolate
Deep-fried dough sticks with thick chocolate dipping sauce. Popular at Carnival time and weekend morning markets. Identical to mainland Spain but eaten at a very leisurely pace.
Find it at: Carnival markets, Sunday markets at Teror and Teguise
Carne fiesta (marinated pork)
Slow-cooked marinated pork chunks, a favourite at local festivals. Found at fiestas patronales across all islands in summer and autumn.
Find it at: Local festivals (fiestas patronales), summer events
Quesillo (Canarian flan)
The Canarian answer to crème caramel — slightly denser and sweeter than mainland flan, made with condensed milk. Sold individually at markets and bakeries.
Find it at: Panaderías (bakeries), markets across all islands
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercado de Vegueta
Fresh produce, local cheeses, mojo, gofio, tropical fruits
Where: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Hours: 08:00–14:00 Mon–Sat
Sunday Market of Teror
Local food products, chorizo, cheese, honey, crafts in historic village
Where: Teror
Hours: 09:00–14:00 Sundays
Mercado del Agricultor de Teguise
200+ stalls, local food, crafts, wine tastings
Where: Teguise
Hours: 09:00–14:00 Sundays
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
Fresh fish, local produce, spices, Canarian cheeses — primarily a local market
Where: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Hours: 06:00–14:00 Mon–Sat
Mercado del Agricultor de Gran Canaria
Direct from farmer — fruits, vegetables, honey, local wine
Where: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Hours: 08:00–14:00 Saturdays
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (14:00–16:00) is the main meal — the menú del día offers 3 courses with drink for €10–13 at most local restaurants
Dinner does not start until 21:00 at local restaurants — arriving at 19:00 means eating with tourists only
Guachinches in Tenerife (traditional farmhouse wine bars) are cash-only, seasonal (October–April), and have no reservation system — arrive early
All restaurant bills include IGIC (7%) — tipping is optional but rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated
Ask for the 'plato del día' even if no set menu is displayed — most local restaurants have one
Tap water ('agua del grifo') is technically safe but often tastes mineral-heavy — most locals order bottled
In tourist areas, menus in English are standard — heading one or two streets inland finds local restaurants with Spanish-only menus and half the price
Papas arrugadas are always shared as a starter or side — order one portion between two people
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |