Kategori: Eat and drink

Wine may not be the first thing visitors associate with Gran Canaria, but vines have been grown in the Canary Islands for centuries.

The volcanic landscape gives the wines a distinctive character, and several restaurants in Las Palmas offer bottles produced on Gran Canaria itself.

The Bandama and Monte Lentiscal area just outside the central city is particularly associated with wine production and traditional Canarian food. It is an easy way to combine a short excursion from Las Palmas with a meal and an introduction to local wine.

Markets are an excellent way to discover local products.

Mercado de Vegueta is the oldest produce market in the Canary Islands. The current building dates from the 19th century, although trading took place in the area before it was constructed. Its stalls sell fruit, vegetables and other local products, while the surrounding streets have developed into an important restaurant district.

The Mercado del Puerto, closer to Las Canteras and the port, offers a different experience. Its distinctive historic structure now combines traditional market functions with bars and places to eat, making the surrounding area particularly lively later in the day. Las Palmas has four municipal markets in total, each offering opportunities to discover Canarian products.

Markets also provide a chance to see another side of the Canary Islands’ extraordinary range of produce. Tropical and subtropical fruits sit alongside vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish and wines produced across the islands.

The entire Las Canteras promenade offers restaurants and cafés, making it tempting simply to eat here throughout your stay.

There is certainly nothing wrong with doing so occasionally. Few locations are better for breakfast, a coffee, lunch or drinks at sunset.

However, restaurants directly on a famous beach inevitably vary. Visitors who care about food should explore the streets behind the promenade as well as neighbourhoods elsewhere in the city.

Guanarteme, immediately behind the southern end of Las Canteras, has become particularly interesting for contemporary dining. The historic districts of Vegueta and Triana also contain a wide selection of restaurants ranging from traditional establishments to more creative cooking.

Las Palmas is an obvious destination for seafood lovers.

One of the most interesting places to experience this side of the city is San Cristóbal, an old fishing neighbourhood on the eastern coastline. It feels removed from the tourist atmosphere of Las Canteras and remains associated with small fishing boats and seafood restaurants. The city’s official tourism guide specifically highlights San Cristóbal as a place where fresh fish comes from boats at the local pier.

Closer to the main tourist areas, La Puntilla at the northern end of Las Canteras is another good place to look for fish and seafood.

Eating beside the Atlantic as the sun begins to set is one of the simplest and most enjoyable experiences in Las Palmas.

Visitors should make an effort to try at least a few traditional Canarian dishes.

Perhaps the most famous are papas arrugadas – small potatoes cooked with plenty of salt until their skins wrinkle. They are normally served with mojo, the sauces that appear throughout Canarian cuisine.

Red mojo rojo often includes peppers, garlic and spices, while green mojo verde typically uses herbs such as coriander or parsley. Recipes vary considerably, and many restaurants have their own versions.

Fish naturally plays an important role in local cooking. Depending on the restaurant and the season, you may encounter grilled or fried local fish accompanied by potatoes, salad and mojo.

Another traditional ingredient is gofio, flour made from roasted grain that has been eaten in the Canary Islands for centuries. It appears in numerous forms, from savoury dishes to desserts.

Canarian cheeses are also worth discovering. Gran Canaria produces several distinctive varieties, and cheese is frequently served simply, grilled or accompanied by local sauces.