Tenerife may be a part of Spain, but it has its own unique gastronomy that you’ve got to check out while you’re there. When it comes to food in Tenerife, the island’s extensive coastline means there’s a remarkable choice of fresh fish and seafood available, while the traditional farming methods mean you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to meat, too.
To cater to the increasing number of vegan locals and visitors, several plant-based restaurants are also popping up across the island, offering healthy, flavor-packed dishes made exclusively with vegan ingredients.
From salty wrinkled potatoes paired with spicy mojo sauce to freshly caught squid grilled to smoky perfection and melt-in-the-mouth goat served in an incredibly moreish garlic sauce, the local food in Tenerife is sublime.
If you ever need a break from typical Canarian dishes, you’ll be glad to know that Tenerife offers a fantastic variety of international restaurants, too, with everything from hand-tossed Neapolitan pizzas to expertly prepared sushi.
If you’re wondering what to eat in Tenerife, I’ve got you covered with must-try local and international dishes and a hand-picked list of restaurants where you can try each one!
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What to Eat in Tenerife: 12 Must-Try Dishes
1. Garlic Chicken at Restaurante Otelo
Known more commonly as “Chicken Shack,” Restaurante Otelo dishes up the very best garlic chicken in Tenerife. Large, juicy chunks of chicken on the bone are fried in the most incredible garlic-infused oil. Order a side of Canarian potatoes and salad to go with it and you’ll be in heaven.
This restaurant has two locations. My favorite is the original – Restaurante Otelo 1 in Adeje. It’s a wonderful place to stop after doing the Barranco del Infierno walk and boasts spectacular views.
2. ‘Parillada’ at Xanadu
My top recommendation for dinner and a show is Xanadu. This unique restaurant features a dining room that overlooks a horse-riding arena where spectacular Gladiator-themed shows take place. When you visit, you’re free to explore the grounds and make friends with the farm animals that live there, too.
The “parillada” is the star of the menu. It’s a type of mixed grill that includes beef fillet, pork steak, pork chop, local sausages, roast chicken, and roasted peppers. The portions are absolutely huge, so be prepared to take some home with you!
3. ‘Chocos a La Plancha’ at Restaurante El Cine
When it comes to fresh seafood in Tenerife, it’s tough to beat Restaurante El Cine. Hidden in a quiet back street in the busy vacation resort of Los Cristianos, this iconic restaurant has been serving up phenomenal food since 1987.
The “chocos a la plancha” are some of the best and cheapest on the island. This dish is made up of two cuttlefish (tentacles still attached) that are cooked on a hot plate until they’re crispy and golden brown on the outside. Pair them with some local white wine and you’ll never want to leave!
4. Cheese Parcels at La Ventita de Cholucas
La Ventita de Cholucas stands out from other restaurants in Tenerife because its staff includes several robots on wheels that deliver your food with a digital smile! Not only that, but this unique restaurant is also set on a farm where many of the menu ingredients are grown.
The cheese parcels with basil and pepper are my favorite. You’ll find them on the appetizer menu, and you can order them individually. They look stunning and taste even better!
5. Duck with Apples at Mesón El Monasterio
My favorite place to go for date night, Mesón El Monasterio was originally a real monastery before it was transformed into seven individual bars and restaurants. Each spot has its own vibe and menu, with Las Terrazas being my top pick. The panoramic view from here is astounding!
One of the specialties here is 1/4 or 1/2 roasted duck. It’s roasted with sweet apples and served with buttery sautéed potatoes. If you’ve still got room, order the flambéed bananas for dessert. They come from the restaurant’s own plantation and taste amazing.
6. Margherita Pizza from Oro di Napoli
Oro di Napoli is hands down the best place for authentic Neapolitan pizza in Tenerife. The food here is so delicious that the restaurant regularly features as one of the top 50 pizzerias in the world.
The pizza crusts are unbelievably light and fluffy, while being covered in the gorgeous charred leoparding that makes them taste phenomenal. Ordering a simple margherita pizza may sound a bit boring, but the flavors are so sensational that you’ll be glad you did. If you’re looking for a little extra, start with a couple of light and fluffy potato croquettes as an appetizer.
7. Kai Crunch Futomaki at Kai La Caleta
Wondering what to eat in Tenerife to celebrate a special occasion? Make it a night you’ll never forget by dining at Kai La Caleta. This gourmet restaurant serves up art-gallery-worthy sushi dishes that are so stunning you won’t want to touch them.
Everything on the menu is outstanding. But if I had to pick just one thing, it would be the Kai crunch futomaki. Made with salmon, king crab, and avocado, these delicate rolls have the ultimate flavor and texture combo. If you’re not a fan of fish or seafood, you’ll love the sirloin steak nigiri marinated in teriyaki sauce, black garlic, and onion.
8. ‘Salpicón de Pulpo’ at Chiringuito Pirata
Chiringuito Pirata is more about the vibe than the food. This rustic beachside bar is always bustling with people of all ages, backgrounds, and origins. It’s the place where everyone fits in because no one does!
The prices are shockingly cheap and the food is surprisingly delicious, especially considering the modest surroundings. The “salpicón de pulpo” is fantastic here. This refreshing dish is made up of chunks of octopus, onion, and peppers swimming in a simple dressing made from olive oil, vinegar, and garlic. It’s the perfect Tenerife food to freshen up with after a day at the beach.
9. The Tasting Menu at El Rincón de Juan Carlos
Boasting two Michelin stars, El Rincón de Juan Carlos is where to eat in Tenerife when you’re in the mood to splash out. This exemplary restaurant serves a tasting menu that takes around 3 hours to enjoy, so give yourself plenty of time. The menu changes according to the season, but it always includes a devastatingly good selection of fish, seafood, meat, and vegetables.
It costs a fair bit extra, but I recommend adding one of the wine pairings, too. Perfectly paired wines elevate the food to a whole new level and definitely improve your experience.
10. Roasted Cheese with Mojo at El Rincón de Edu
El Rincón de Edu is one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Tenerife because the dining area is set within a banana plantation! Here you’ll find wholesome Canarian dishes served alongside some of the most popular local wines the islands have to offer.
The roasted cheese with fiery mojo sauces is my favorite thing to eat here. This classic Tenerife food is made up of two giant slabs of fresh goat cheese, which are cooked on a hot plate until they turn crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside. The spicy red and cooling green mojo drizzles set the dish off wonderfully.
11. Canarian Brunch at Patio Canario La Laguna
For the ultimate brunch, make a reservation at Patio Canario La Laguna. This larger-than-life meal begins with a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice, a glass of fruity white wine, and a milky coffee before the seemingly never-ending food service begins.
A giant tower of bread rolls, meats, cheeses, cookies, cakes, jams, spreads, and pancakes follows before the hot stuff arrives. Next, it’s a Canarian version of a “tortilla española” with gofio and banana, roasted cheese with mojo, and open-faced sandwiches.
As if that wasn’t enough, you’re then treated to a glass of alcoholic cider to celebrate the lavish meal. The price is per person, but each individual serving is really enough for 2-3 people!
12. Artisan Plate with White Wine at Bodega Reverón
Whenever I’ve got an afternoon free, Bodega Reverón is my favorite place to spend it. This dreamy vineyard features a small bar with views that stretch across the vines, over the vacation resorts, and out to sea. The only thing that beats the view is the wine and the tasting platters that accompany it!
If you’re looking to try some truly fresh and local food in Tenerife, the artisan plates here are made up of local hams, sausages, cheeses, dried fruit, prickly pear jam, locally-made cakes, and dark chocolate. They’re the perfect thing to nibble on while sipping a bottle of “blanco afrutado” – locally-made sweet and fruity white wine.
