Local and international restaurants in Tenerife

In Tenerife, it's easy to find restaurants serving local cuisine scattered throughout the island, both in rural areas and tourist zones. Local restaurants tend to be concentrated in:

• The north of Tenerife: towns such as La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico or Tegueste, where there are many family-run and typical restaurants called guachinches with traditional recipes.
• The south of Tenerife: although the tourist offer predominates, in areas such as Arona, Adeje or San Miguel de Abona there are also restaurants that work Canarian cuisine with local product.
• Inland towns and historic centres: these often house small restaurants with menus based on seasonal products and homemade preparations.

Many of these establishments focus on fresh fish, local meats, artisanal cheeses, and wines from the island.

Restaurants serving local cuisine in Tenerife offer simple dishes rooted in tradition and local produce. Some of the most common include:

• Papas arrugadas with red or green mojo sauce.
• Local fish such as vieja, cherne or sama, prepared grilled or in broth.
• Goat meat, rabbit in salmorejo sauce or black pig.
• Canarian goat cheeses, often accompanied by mojo or palm honey.
• Traditional desserts such as quesillo, bienmesabe or truchas.

This gastronomy allows you to discover Canarian cuisine as it has been passed down from generation to generation.

Tenerife boasts a wide variety of international restaurants, especially in tourist areas. Among the most common are:

• Italian restaurants, with artisan pizzas and pastas.
• Asian restaurants, such as Japanese, Chinese, or Thai.
• Contemporary Mediterranean and international cuisine.
• Latin American restaurants, with specialties from Mexico, Peru, or Argentina.
• Vegetarian, vegan, or fusion cuisine options.

This variety allows you to find something for every taste and budget.

International restaurants are mainly concentrated in:

• The south of Tenerife, in areas such as Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and El Médano.
• Urban areas in the north, such as Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
• Areas near beaches, hotels, and shopping districts.

These areas typically offer a wider variety of international cuisines to suit a diverse clientele.

Yes. Many local and international restaurants in Tenerife cater to a wide range of tastes and often offer:

• Children's menus or simple dishes.
• Spacious areas and extended opening hours.
• Options adapted to special diets, such as vegetarian or gluten-free.

Yes, in Tenerife there are vegetarian and vegan options in both local and international restaurants, although the selection varies depending on the area and type of establishment.

In restaurants serving local cuisine, it's becoming increasingly common to find meat- and fish-free options, especially in establishments that work with seasonal produce. Some frequent choices include:

• Papas arrugadas with mojo sauce (green mojo is usually vegan, but it's best to confirm).
• Grilled or sauteed vegetables with local ingredients.
• Scalded gofio (a type of flour) or dishes made with legumes and grains.
• Canarian cheeses (a vegetarian option, though not vegan).

In international restaurants, the vegetarian and vegan options are usually more extensive and clearly marked, especially in tourist areas. It's common to find:

• Italian restaurants with vegetarian or vegan pasta, pizza, and risotto.
• Asian restaurants with dishes made with vegetables, tofu, or legumes.
• Specialised vegetarian or vegan restaurants.
• International options with clearly labeled menus for special diets.