Tenerife Food and Drink

Alcala harbour

Alcala is the Province of Tenerife and is famous for its roots as a quaint fishing village. This is the place to be for good food with a difference. This sublime eating area has something for every diner, with the choice of fine dining, affordable eats and international, as well as authentic cuisine. In fact, foodies flock here when holidaying in stunning Tenerife for it’s variety in flavours.

Casa Mon presents platters of delightful seafood, served with tasty sauces and wedges of lemon to really pack out the flavour of each individual item. Visitors love this fantastic, no-frills family restaurant, particularly because they can select which fresh fish they will be eating for their dinner.

For a plate of fine food dressed up to perfection, take a stroll over to Txko – a modern restaurant offering traditional Spanish dishes, with a contemporary twist. Choose from unusual but delectable dishes like veal cheeks and branded boxes of magnificent mussels.

Brit bars on the beach

Eat typically British food, in the sunny surroundings of Tenerife at one of the many brit bars on the beach. Enjoy a famous roast on a Sunday, with a beachfront view at Heads and Tails British Sports & Entertainment Bar, located in Playa de las Americas.

At this cosy eatery, the chefs cook fresh food to order and offer tourists tasty Bolognese dishes, homemade curry and battered cod to indulge in. The atmosphere here is fabulous; you can play card games, watch live football games and listen to British bands performing their latest songs while you eat.

Head over to Los Cristianos and enjoy gourmet British cuisine at the quirky restaurant: Oliver’s With a Twist. Order the finest short crust pie, beautifully presented on a plate with a bucket of perfectly roasted chips. Check out the specials board for more beautifully British delights to tuck into.

Cheap places to eat

Tenerife offers many cheap places to eat and an array of cuisines to choose from, wherever you are staying on the island. Try the best stone-baked pizza in Tenerife, at Plazale in Playa San Juan – a cosy little Italian offering tasty dishes, modern interior and a fantastic atmosphere. Each dish here is freshly made to order; the sweet smell of bruschetta and focaccia bread alone will entice you in and leave you returning over and over again.

If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful, continental café, head over to the Deli on The Hill, in Puerto de Santiago. Make sure you order one of their strong coffees, fruit-filled smoothies or explore their fantastic delicatessen counter.

Taste traditional and affordable Spanish cuisine at Bar Los Castillos, in La Orotava. This gem of a restaurant presents bowls of succulent corn on the cob, colourful rice dishes and is also a great spot for vegetarians.

Gourmet eateries

There are many miraculous gourmet eateries dotted around the island of Tenerife, most of which possess Michelin Star status for their rich cuisine, sophisticated atmosphere and delicious demonstration.

Take a trip down to Michelin Star restaurant, Kabuki Abama for exquisite tasting and pristinely presented Japanese dishes. What’s particularly special about a visit to this amazing restaurant is its location; it can be found in the luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel. Formal dress code is required, so pack your favourite suit or your heels ready for a trip over to this unique gourmet eatery.

Try traditional Tenerife dishes reworked at Lucas Maes, owned by a Belgium-born chef who moved to the island at a young age and continues to experiment with local dishes. Lucas runs this charming restaurant with his wife and actually received the Best Foreign Chef award in Tenerife, for his unique spin on customary food.

Harbour restaurants

Try and taste delicious local cuisine, while overlooking Tenerife’s glittering harbour. An array of gourmet restaurants is dotted along the fantastic harbour located here, offering holidaymakers the opportunity to take in the sights of Tenerife during their dinner.

Harbour Lights actually offers the very best English cuisine and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Marina in Golf del Sur in southern Tenerife. Wait to be served and receive beautifully presented lasagne, accompanied with freshly made garlic bread slices. Even the end of the meal is a treat here, thanks to its sublime location; the lit up harbour provides a pleasant sight as you walk off your food.

For a modern take on Mediterranean and Spanish grilled cuisine, take a trip to CHAR Mordern Cocina & Grill in the stylish fishing village, La Caleta. This delightful restaurant has many exciting drinks and dishes to choose from, including pleasant milkshakes and sundae ice creams, dripping with chocolate, fanciful cocktails adorned with exotic fruit and perfectly grilled steak with all the trimmings.

Hard Rock Café Tenerife

Teenerife’s Hard Rock Café was established in 2013 and has developed into one of the island’s most famous eateries. The effortless style of the café’s décor makes it a hit with visitors who love their rock music, boasting a wide range of rock memorabilia.

It combines classic flavours with a modern ambience to create a dining experience you won’t soon forget. The menu is crammed with favourites including buffalo-style wings, nachos and a range of burgers. There are also salads, ribs and sandwiches, not to mention the delicious desserts also on the menu. A kid’s menu is also available.

Diners can enjoy these good eats, cooked by internationally renowned chefs, in a décor that incorporates outfits donated by the likes of Elvis Presley, Madonna and David Bowie, as well as instruments played by Motley Crue and Cheap Trick. This is an experience not to be missed by anyone who claims to love rock music.

Monkey Bar & Grill

Monkey Bar & Grill in Playa de las Americas is famed for its stylish décor, amazing ambience and delicious dishes. Whether you are in the mood for a Spanish delicacy, a perfectly prepared steak, or just a good old fashioned burger, Monkey Bar & Grill can cater to suit your palette.

Combining fantastic food with a vibrant and trendy interior and first rate service, Monkey Bar & Grill is known to get very busy, so booking in advance to avoid disappointment is recommended. The bar is also abuzz with atmosphere and serves up a sizeable selection of drinks, ranging from exotic cocktails to a refreshing pint of beer. A wide range of soft drinks are also available.

The restaurant is also home to a range of stunningly presented and delectable desserts, so it's well worth sticking around after you've polished off your main course to make room for a sweet.

Noria District

The Noria District can be found in the La Noria area of Santa Cruz, in the north-east of Tenerife. It is home to a delightfully quiet street of eateries that have become immensely popular with both holidaymakers and locals, alike. This is in no small part thanks to the choice of eateries to be found there.

If you are in Santa Cruz and have a yearning to sample some delicious seafood, be sure to call in at El Tenedor de la Noria. Located in the Noria District, this restaurant boasts world-class service and an enormous variety of freshly prepared dishes, including seafood and Mediterranean delicacies. Diners have the choice of eating within the restaurant and absorbing the décor, or eating al fresco on the patio.

El Lagar de La Noria is another go-to for fresh Spanish cuisine; the breakfasts are to die for and the paella simply must be tried. There is also a terrace for patrons to eat outside if they wish.

Playa San Juan Promenade

Playa San Juan Promenade plays host to a spectacular selection of eateries, which not only offer exquisite cuisine, but also a gorgeous view of the beach and ocean beyond it. Despite being a tourist favourite, this quaint fishing village has retained its original charm and fishing is still the focus of the port, adding to the delightful atmosphere.

For fine dining with a view of the ocean, be sure to pay a visit to Restaurant Marsala. Serving a variety of fresh seafood, Spanish and Mediterranean delicacies, this eatery allows you to eat al fresco on their patio, which overlooks the sea. Restaurant Marsala makes for a very romantic dining experience. There is also a wide range of vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Also located along the promenade is La Martelika, which is another go-to place for an evening of delectable dining; the food is cooked to perfection and the hospitality is also famous in the area.

Seafood restaurants

For great service and exquisite seafood with an affordable price tag, dine out at Delicias del Mar in Arico. Choose your fish from the iced fridge, then watch the creative chefs prepare and cook your dish in front of you. Be sure to make a reservation, as this popular restaurant fills up fairly quickly. Our top tip – try the gorgeously grilled octopus and the local vine.

Restaurante La Taberna del Mar serves up the best scallops in the whole of Tenerife and has a truly authentic atmosphere, thanks to the rustic wooden sea boat and barrel that sits in the centre of the restaurant. Tuck into one of the fantastic seafood platters available to order at this delicious restaurant, consisting of tasty shellfish, fresh lobster, mussels and oysters. Or, opt for a delicious prawn paella and treat yourself to an assortment of mini desserts available to try.