Food and Drink, Gran Canaria

Beachfront Bars

There are many beachfront bars lining the promenades of most of the seaside resorts in Gran Canaria.

Paddy’s Beach Bar – perfectly situated on the beach beside Faro Lighthouse in Maspalomas. It has a great selection of imported beers, serves cocktails, coffee and light snacks and shows all live football as well as having live music on selected nights. Nice friendly staff and good service.

Bandidos Beach Bar, in Playa de Las Canteras – has a great location, just next to the beach and serves reasonably priced food and drinks. The vegetarian burgers are especially good.

Sahara Beach Bar, in Maspalomas – this bar serves beers, wines etc. and has a “happy hour” all day long. You can also choose from a variety of snacks, including some seriously delicious pizzas. There are plenty of screens to watch different sports on or if you want to cool off there is a small pool in the middle of the bar.

Brit Bars

If you are getting homesick for a good old British bar then you are sure to be able to find at least one wherever you are staying in Gran Canaria. Here are just a few recommended by Brits when holidaying on the island:

The 19th Hole – located on the Boulevard de Meloneras, close to the Maspalomas lighthouse this restaurant/bar offers an extensive menu and has over 7 brands of beers and cocktails to choose from. After 9.30pm there is live music.

Kim’s Bar – located in Playa del Ingles, this is a typically family-run British bar offering typically British food. Serves lovely meals and has bingo and a quiz in the evenings followed by karaoke.

Harbour Lights Bar – a family run bar in Mogan offering good, inexpensive food and drinks. The bar has a friendly and informal atmosphere and the view over the harbour is one of the best.

Cheap places to eat

The cheapest places to eat in Gran Canaria are usually those used by locals that offer more regionalised dishes. If you prefer to eat from a wider range of foods, there are many bars and restaurants that cater to all tastes.

Britannia Restaurant, in Maspalomas, is especially good for a traditional English breakfast and a mug of tea. Prices are very reasonable and the service is good.

Las Marujas, in Las Palmas, located right on the paseo Dr. Gray Bou Las Canteras, serves excellent food at very reasonable prices. The beer is also beautifully cold. There are tables inside the room and on the paseo and a couple of tables with sea view.

Buffet Wok Europe, in Mogan, is a cheap and cheerful, all you can eat buffet with a fresh selection of meats and fish which will be cooked to order. The staff as also known to be nice and pleasant.

Europa Centre

The Commercial Center Europa, commonly known as the Europa Centre, is made up of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues that have something to offer the whole family.

At the Europa Centre you are spoiled for choice when it comes to food as there are five restaurants, serving food all day and catering for all nationalities and tastes. If it’s just a drink you want then there are also five bars to choose from, most of which offer a “happy hour” or various drinks promotions.

The centre isn’t just for adults it has much to offer the younger generation. There are arcade games, pool tables, trampolines, mini-golf and even tennis courts. In the evening, as well as enjoying a leisurely meal or having a drink you can dance or join in the karaoke and sing your heart out until the early hours of the morning.

Garbo’s Dinner Show

The Garbo’s Dinner Show in Bahia Feliz, near Playa del Ingles, is a unique evening attraction which must not be missed while holidaying in Gran Canaria. The building was originally built as an opera house in the 1970s but the project failed and the building was unused for 22 years until it reopened in 1997 as ‘Garbo’s Dinner Theatre’.

The waiters themselves are the actors of the musical. While singing and dancing, they professionally serve the drinks and dinner which is a set three-course meal with wine, beer or soft drinks included in the ticket price. A vegetarian option is also available. It is truly amazing how quickly the high-quality food is served to so many people.

You are encouraged to support your hardworking waiting staff when they appear on stage, creating a brilliant, vibrant atmosphere.

Gourmet eateries

There are so many gourmet eateries offering fine food in Gran Canaria, that it is difficult to select the best. Here are just a few examples of what’s on offer:

Restaurante Calma Chicha – in Playa del Ingles, looks very ordinary from the outside but once you walk into the “tent” like atmosphere you feel like you have walked into a fine dining restaurant and the food and service don’t let you down. Beautiful meals and desserts served by attentive, friendly staff.

Los Guayres – in Mogan, offers Michelin style cuisine and outstanding service the staff pull out all the stops to make your visit very memorable. The food is just heaven and presented in style.

LoLa – in Playa del Ingles, is an excellent restaurant offering a good range of beautiful food and an extensive wine choice to suit all palates.

Irish Bars

Gran Canaria is home to many Irish bars, most of which are located in Aguila Roja, the popular Irish centre. If you are looking for a place with a great atmosphere, interesting people, traditional Irish entertainment then why not seek out one of the friendly Irish pubs near to where you’re staying?

Mulligans Irish Pub, located in the heart of Playa del Ingles is the perfect place to relax and enjoy good food and live music. There are also screens to watch your favourite sports while having a pint of beer.

Mc Carthy’s Irish Pub Restaurante is in the centre of Triana, a perfect location to sit outside and watch the world go by. The food is very good and the Guinness is excellent.

Durty Nelly’s in Puerto Rico is a spotlessly clean bar with decent prices and very good food. The nightly entertainment is first class.

Meloneras Promenade

Meloneras Promenade is a 2-kilometre seafront promenade, called the Boulevard Faro, which runs west from the lighthouse all along the shore to the beach.

The area nearer to the lighthouse is packed with outdoor cafes and restaurants; this is a smart area so prices here are higher than to the east of the Faro but the atmosphere, food, and presentation are of an extremely high quality.

When you reach the end of the coastal walk you have yet more restaurants and cafes in front of the hotels and behind them, you have even more restaurants and shops running east from the bus station.

There are too many good restaurants to name them all but one particular, good value bar and restaurant, is the Terraza K1 which has just been remodelled. It has great sea views, a lovely atmosphere, wonderful food and the strongest cocktail ever – the K1.

Seafood Restaurants

Seafood restaurants are a favourite with a lot of people and in Gran Canaria, there are many excellent ones to choose from. Most do, however, also serve other dishes if required.

Ragu – in Puerto de las Nieves has an excellent choice of seafood but the mixed seafood platter is especially excellent and very big. This restaurant also has the benefit of views of the ferries coming in and the fabulous mountains as a backdrop.

Amigo Camilo – in Las Palmas may look a little basic from the outside but the seafood is “to die for”, beautifully and simply prepared, it’s absolutely delicious.

Grill Costa Mar- in Puerto Rico, the “piece de resistance” of this restaurant is a stainless-steel platter with more than 12 varieties of fish and shellfish including big prawns and smaller prawns, whelks, limpets, clams, scallops, crayfish, salmon, razor clams, and others. AMAZING.