Date of publication 28/03/2023
Discover the best Canary Islands food: 10 dishes you have to try
The Canary Islands are about much more than English breakfasts and quick pizza dinners. If you want to connect more deeply with Canarian culture, there are certain local specialties you simply can’t miss. Ready to try papas arrugadas with mojo picón? Curious about the traditions behind escaldón de gofio? The Canary Islands are a destination waiting to be explored, and its cuisine offers one of the most authentic ways to do it. Island by island and bite by bite, this culinary journey will introduce you to some of the most beloved traditional dishes and flavors the Canary Islands have to offer.
Papas Arrugadas with Mojo Picón
Papas arrugadas with mojo picón are more than just a traditional Canarian dish. They are a true culinary icon of the islands. The recipe begins with a local potato variety known as papa bonita, which is boiled in heavily salted water with its skin on and then left to dry until it develops its distinctive wrinkled appearance. The potatoes are traditionally served with two types of mojo sauce: the spicy red mojo picón, made with red peppers, and the fresh green version, prepared with cilantro.
Best Places to Eat Papas Arrugadas in the Canary Islands
The Papa Negra restaurant at Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is renowned for its papas negras arrugadas with mojo, as well as a variety of other Canarian specialties. The restaurant is certified for sustainable fishing practices, and its menu also features vegetarian and vegan options inspired by local culinary traditions, including a tasting of Canarian cheeses and tofu glazed with mojo sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Elsewhere within the hotel, Los Menceyes and Los Laureles offer equally memorable dining experiences, blending historical influences with contemporary cuisine.
If you're looking for where to eat papas arrugadas in Lanzarote, Casa Torano is a local favorite with more than four decades of history in the El Golfo area. Another excellent option is El Guachinche de Luis, a charming restaurant in the municipality of Teguise known for its authentic island flavors and welcoming atmosphere.
Canarian Sancocho
Canarian sancocho is one of the archipelago’s most traditional dishes. It is typically prepared with salted fish, usually grouper, wreckfish, corvina, or burro, and served alongside large chunks of sweet potato, onion, mojo sauce, and boiled potatoes. The word sancocho refers to a slow-cooked preparation, a simple recipe that highlights the quality of its ingredients. The dish is traditionally accompanied by pella de gofio, a dough made by kneading gofio, a toasted flour made from corn or wheat, with the flavorful broth from the fish.
Where to Eat Canarian Sancocho
The flavors of the sea play a central role in the traditional cuisine of the Canary Islands. On islands such as Fuerteventura, local fishermen supply restaurants and hotels with fresh fish and seafood every day. One way to help protect marine ecosystems while enjoying these specialties is to support responsibly sourced seafood and locally produced ingredients whenever possible. Canarian sancocho is especially associated with Easter celebrations, making spring an ideal time to visit the islands and experience this beloved culinary tradition.
Watercress Stew (Potaje de Berros)
Canarian watercress stew, or potaje de berros, is a traditional comfort food whose star ingredient is fresh watercress. This hearty dish is typically prepared with legumes, usually white or pinto beans, along with yams and a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin, green peppers, onions, and sweet corn. Some versions also include salted pork, although vegetarian recipes are widely enjoyed throughout the islands.
Simple, nourishing, and deeply rooted in local culinary traditions, watercress stew is a classic example of the home-style cooking that has been passed down through generations in the Canary Islands.
Where to Eat Watercress Stew
To enjoy watercress stew in Lanzarote, seek out traditional restaurants that offer daily set menus, such as Casa Arráez, a favorite among locals. For an even more authentic experience, pair the dish with a local wine. Lanzarote’s volcanic wines are renowned for their distinctive character, shaped by the island’s unique landscape. Together with Tenerife, Lanzarote is one of the Canary Islands’ leading destinations for wine tourism.
Arepas
Arepas are small cornmeal cakes that have become a beloved part of the Canary Islands’ culinary landscape, although their origins trace back to Venezuela. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they can be filled with a wide variety of ingredients, including eggs, local cheeses, avocado, onions, fried plantains, seafood, and other regional specialties.
Their versatility and comforting flavor have made them a popular choice throughout the islands, where they reflect the long-standing cultural connections between the Canary Islands and Latin America.
Where to Eat Arepas
La Carajita, in Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife, is often considered one of the island’s most iconic arepa spots. Another local favorite is El Rayo, also on Tenerife, where the menu features around twenty different varieties of arepas, offering something for every taste and budget.
Canarian Rancho Stew
Another classic Canarian comfort food is rancho canario, a hearty stew with humble origins that has been enjoyed for generations. Its main ingredients include chickpeas, noodles, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, chorizo, and blood sausage, creating a rich and satisfying dish that is especially popular during cooler months and family gatherings.
Where to Eat Canarian Rancho Stew
For an authentic taste of rancho canario in Tenerife, consider visiting Mesón del Norte, a traditional restaurant located in the heart of Teno Rural Park in northern Tenerife. In addition to this local favorite, the restaurant is also known for its traditional desserts. Another excellent option is Casa Tomás, where you can try garbanzas canarias, a closely related variation of the classic stew.
Iberostar offers several hotels on the island. If you're planning a trip to Tenerife, you can choose the property that best matches your travel style. JOIA Salomé by Iberostar and Iberostar Selection Sábila are particularly well suited for couples and groups of friends, while Iberostar Selection Anthelia is designed with families in mind.
Tollos
Tollos are made from strips of fish, traditionally local dogfish, that are salted and dried in the sun. They are the key ingredient in one of the Canary Islands’ most distinctive traditional dishes and can be prepared in a variety of ways. The most common versions are tollos en salsa, cooked with tomato, onion, white wine, and spices such as bay leaf, thyme, and cumin, and tollos con mojo, served with the islands’ iconic sauce.
Where to Eat Tollos in the Canary Islands
La Bodeguita Canaria, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is one of the best-known places to try tollos, along with other traditional specialties such as tomate aliñado, a seasoned tomato salad. At the Poseidón Gourmet Restaurant, located within Iberostar Selection Anthelia in Tenerife, locally sourced fish and seafood take center stage in a menu inspired by the flavors of the Atlantic.
Escaldón de Gofio
The secret to a good escaldón de gofio lies in the quality of the gofio itself, a traditional flour made from toasted grains. Corn and millet are the most commonly used varieties, although wheat gofio is also popular. To prepare the dish, the gofio is mixed with hot homemade broth and kneaded until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Fried garlic slices cooked in olive oil and paprika are often added for extra flavor. Before serving, it is typically topped with finely chopped raw onion and fresh cilantro or parsley. Escaldón de gofio can be enjoyed either as a main course or as a side dish.
Where to Eat Escaldón de Gofio
This dish is especially associated with Tenerife. Wondering where to try authentic escaldón de gofio? Restaurants such as Casa Fito Chimiche and El Calderito de la Abuela prepare homemade versions using locally produced gofio. It is also a staple at many traditional guachinches, rustic eateries typically found in the rural areas of northern Tenerife. In Lanzarote, you can sample escaldón de gofio and other Canarian specialties at La Casa de la Playa, a charming beachfront restaurant with a relaxed island atmosphere.
The culinary offerings at Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park also showcase some of the Canary Islands’ most traditional flavors. In Tenerife, Papa Negra, the signature restaurant at Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey, serves gofio jareado paired with fresh local cheese. If you're visiting the islands and looking for a memorable gastronomic souvenir to bring home, gofio is a classic choice.
Carne de Fiesta
The star ingredient of this traditional Canarian dish is marinated pork. The marinade typically combines red pepper, white wine, garlic, olive oil, and a blend of spices such as paprika, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Once marinated, the pork is fried until golden and served with crispy potatoes, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal that has long been a favorite at local celebrations and gatherings.
Where to Eat Carne de Fiesta
Some of the most highly regarded versions of carne de fiesta in Tenerife can be found at El Calderito de la Abuela and La Hierbita. The latter, housed in a traditional manor-style building in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is also known for its vegetarian and vegan options prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Canarian Adobo
Canarian adobo, the traditional marinade used in dishes such as carne de fiesta, is a cornerstone of the islands’ cuisine. While it is most commonly associated with meat, its versatility extends far beyond that. Rabbit, chicken, and fish are frequently prepared with this flavorful blend, but it is equally delicious with potatoes and seasonal vegetables. In some recipes, Canarian adobo is even used as a dressing, adding depth and character to a wide range of dishes.
Where to Eat Canarian Adobo
Canarian adobo in all its variations is a staple of traditional guachinches and many of the islands’ most authentic bars and restaurants. At Puerto de la Peña restaurant, also known as Casa Pepín after its longtime owner, in Fuerteventura, numerous fish and seafood dishes are seasoned with this beloved local preparation.
With no fewer than twenty-four volcanoes, Fuerteventura is one of the wildest islands in the Canary archipelago and also one of its most captivating. Of its 202-mile coastline, around 77 miles are beaches, creating an extraordinary landscape where nature takes center stage. Iberostar hotels are located right on the waterfront, allowing guests to experience the island’s beauty in a way that feels fully immersed and effortlessly connected to its surroundings.
Puchero Canario
Puchero canario is one of the Canary Islands’ most traditional and hearty stews. This comforting dish combines chickpeas with a generous variety of vegetables, including green beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, corn on the cob, and onions. It is typically prepared with beef, pork, or chicken, often complemented by sausages such as chorizo, although vegetarian versions are also popular and equally flavorful.
Where to Eat Puchero Canario
Restaurante Cruz del Carmen is an excellent place to try traditional puchero canario in Tenerife, while Don Pepe is known for serving a highly regarded version in Fuerteventura. The latter island is home to Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace, an all-inclusive resort where nature, luxury, and gastronomy come together seamlessly, as well as Iberostar Waves Playa Gaviotas, an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers eager to discover the best traditional food in the Canary Islands. Its recently opened Tapas Bar has quickly become a guest favorite.
Bonus: Traditional Canarian Desserts
Bienmesabe
Bienmesabe is a rich, sweet almond cream that has become one of the Canary Islands’ most iconic desserts. It can be enjoyed on its own or used as an ingredient in more elaborate creations. In El Risco de Famara, Lanzarote, you’ll find excellent versions of this classic treat, along with other traditional Canarian desserts.
Frangollo
Another dessert beloved by locals and visitors alike is frangollo, a comforting pudding made with milk or water, millet flour, lemon, sugar, raisins, almonds, and cinnamon. Its simple ingredients and distinctive flavor make it one of the most representative sweets in Canarian cuisine.
Príncipe Alberto
Príncipe Alberto is a decadent dessert made with cocoa powder, coffee, eggs, sugar, flour, butter, hazelnuts, and almonds. According to one popular story, Prince Albert of Monaco visited the island of La Palma and was so taken with the dessert that it was named in his honor. Another version of the tale claims that when the pastry chef who created it was asked what it should be called, he replied that it was named Príncipe Alberto because “it’s as good as he is.”
Whatever its true origin, this rich, mousse-like dessert has become one of the Canary Islands’ most beloved sweets and a must-try for anyone with a passion for traditional desserts.
