Gastronomy with a big G in Tenerife

Discover the Local Guachinches or Dine in One of the Many Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Tenerife, with its crystal-clear waters, volcanic sand beaches, and cinematic natural landscapes, is also the perfect destination for a vacation filled with gastronomic delights. The island offers a unique blend of flavors influenced by its rich history, cultural diversity, and abundance of local products. Enjoy the freshest seafood, delicious meat stews, and flavorful tropical fruits. The world-renowned local wines, produced in vineyards on fertile volcanic soil, are a true treat for any wine lover. With a multitude of Michelin-starred restaurants, you can indulge in the creativity and culinary excellence of various renowned chefs. Ready to explore the culinary highlights of this island?

Enjoying the Local Cuisine

On Tenerife, Canarian cuisine is an integral part of the local culture and a significant aspect of their identity. You will find numerous traditional guachinches, small family-run restaurants hidden in vineyards and remote villages. Here, you can enjoy the most authentic dishes in an intimate and cozy atmosphere alongside the locals. The hosts often serve homemade dishes and self-produced wine, giving you the chance to experience the rich flavors and traditions of Tenerife in their purest form. Typical Canarian dishes are proudly served, with each guachinche offering its own specialties passed down through generations.

A festive table full of Canarian dishes, including grilled fish, papas arrugadas, and colorful side dishes, served with various dips and a glass of beer.

Two people enjoying a meal with Canarian meat dishes, corn, potatoes, and fresh salads, accompanied by glasses of red wine on a wooden table.

Dining in Luxury at Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Looking for something more refined? In recent years, Tenerife has established itself as a culinary hotspot with several restaurants awarded Michelin stars. For example, visit MB at The Ritz-Carlton Abama, a two-star restaurant where you can enjoy a fusion of Mediterranean and traditional cuisine. El Rincón de Juan Carlos in La Caleta combines Canarian cuisine with innovative techniques, attracting gourmets from around the world. Haydée in La Orotava is also known for its creative and contemporary approach to Canarian cuisine.

At Bahia Del Duque, you can taste avant-garde and creative cuisine at Nub. Kabuki and San Hô at Royal Hideaway Corales are also worth mentioning. At San Hô, Japanese, Peruvian, and Canarian cuisines are fused. Additionally, Taste 1973 in Playa de las Américas has recently earned its first Michelin star. These Michelin-starred restaurants contribute to Tenerife’s growing reputation as a gastronomic epicenter, where you can enjoy both local and high-quality dishes full of flavor.

A refined gastronomic dish presented on a white plate, with artistic details and a sauce that connects the various components. — restaurante mb

A creative and elegant dish served in a shell, with delicate flavors and a refined presentation on a marble background. — restaurante mb

Tenerife: A Paradise for Wine Lovers

In addition to its gastronomy, Tenerife is also known for its wines and impressive wine landscapes, which form an essential part of the island’s culinary identity. Wine production in Tenerife has a long and rich history, characterized by the unique properties of the volcanic soil and the island’s diverse microclimate. This results in wines with distinctive flavors and aromas, such as Listán Blanco and Listán Negro. It is no wonder that the island has no less than six denominations of origin: Valle de La Orotava, Ycoden-Daute-Isora, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de Güímar, Abona, and D.O.P Islas Canarias.

Explore the History and Taste of Local Wines at Casa del Vino

While wine plantations and local bodegas can be found almost everywhere on the island, Casa del Vino in El Sauzal offers a unique experience where you can learn more about the complexity and history of local wine production. Housed in a 17th-century mansion, the various rooms feature a museum, wine cellar, and tasting rooms where you can sample wines from all denominations of origin. Want to learn more about the winemaking process? A visit to a winery is recommended, where you can witness the entire process from grape picking to wine tasting.

Discover the Most Traditional Canarian Dishes

Tenerife’s rich volcanic soil offers an abundance of unique local products that make a visit to the island a gastronomic adventure. Try the typical Canarian papas arrugadas, small wrinkled potatoes served with a touch of sea salt and a spicy red mojo sauce made from paprika and red peppers. Tenerife is also a paradise for fish and fresh seafood. Thanks to the nutrient-rich cold currents and the volcanic origin of the islands, Canarian fish are of exceptional quality. Local fish such as Sama, Cherne, and tuna are staples at the dinner table.

A woman in a striped dress shops at a colorful fruit stand in a traditional market in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, surrounded by fresh tropical fruit.

Two ceramic spoons filled with traditional Canarian mojo sauce, a spicy red and a fresh green variant, on a rustic wooden background.

For meat lovers, dishes with rabbit, goat, and pork are highly recommended. These traditional delicacies reflect the island’s rich culinary traditions and are often slow-cooked for an intense flavor. Season the meat dishes with red or green mojo sauce, and your taste buds will dance with joy. Don’t forget to sample local cheeses, honey, and tropical fruits like bananas, papayas, and avocados, which are available year-round thanks to the favorable climate. Discover more travel tips on our PureTravel page!