GASTRONOMY
15 Foods You Must Try in Tenerife
Discover the flavours of Tenerife, from local specialities to delicious desserts.
- September 1st, 2026.
- ArchipeGo
- 12 min read
Why Should You Try Tenerife’s Cuisine?
Quick Information
- Location – Tenerife
- Tip – Worth trying in local restaurants
- Duration – 1–2 days
- Cost – €–€€
- Recommended – For everyone
In This Article
- Papas wrinkled
- Mojo rojo & mojo verde
- Gofio
- Queso asado
- Almogrote
- Carnival fiesta
- Ropa vieja
- Conejo al salmorejo
- Sancocho canario
- Rancho canario
- Puchero canario
- Fresh Fish & Seafood
- Barraquito
- Frangollo
- Bienmesabe
01
Papas wrinkled
One of the simplest dishes of the Canary Islands, made with small potatoes boiled in salted water and traditionally served with mojo sauces.
Papas arrugadas, meaning “wrinkled potatoes,” are one of the most iconic dishes of Canarian cuisine. The potatoes are boiled in their skins with plenty of salt until the skin becomes characteristically wrinkled.
It is a simple dish, yet it perfectly represents the essence of Canarian cuisine: made with just a few ingredients, but full of character and flavour.
You can find papas arrugadas on the menu of almost every traditional Canarian restaurant in Tenerife, often served with mojo rojo or mojo verde.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
All across Tenerife
Recommended
Appetizer / Side Dish
Price
€
Discover the flavours of Tenerife in local restaurants and traditional Canarian eateries. Experience the island’s gastronomy and try the dishes loved by locals.
02
Mojo rojo & mojo verde
The two iconic Canarian sauces are an essential part of the local cuisine. Mojo rojo is more intense and slightly spicy, while mojo verde has a fresher, herbaceous flavour.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
Papas arrugadas / Fish / Meat
Price
€
03
Gofio
It can be served as a simple side dish, added to soups and sauces, or used as an ingredient in desserts. Lightly roasted and full of character, it may seem unusual at first, but it beautifully represents the traditions of Canarian cuisine.
Gofio is not associated with just one island: it is an important part of gastronomy across the Canary Islands, although the way it is prepared can vary from island to island.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
Traditional Canarian dishes
Price
€
04
Queso asado
It is often served with miel de palma, or palm honey, whose sweetness beautifully complements the salty, grilled cheese. In some places, it is served with mojo sauce, creating a completely different flavour combination.
This dish is a great example of how Canarian cuisine combines simple local ingredients with interesting flavour combinations.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
Appetizer / Shared dish
Price
€–€€
05
Almogrote
It is most commonly enjoyed spread on bread or toast, but it is also often served alongside appetizers and small bites. The aged cheese gives it a rich and intense flavour that makes it particularly memorable.
If you enjoy strong, flavourful cheeses, almogrote is an unmissable part of a Canarian food experience.
ArchipeGo Tip
If you are visiting La Gomera, make sure to try almogrote, ideally with some fresh local bread.
Location
La Gomera
Recommended
Appetizer / Spread
Price
€–€€
06
Carnival fiesta
Carne fiesta is one of the classic meat dishes of the Canary Islands and is especially associated with Tenerife’s gastronomy. Made from seasoned pork, it is simple to prepare yet full of flavour.
The meat is usually seasoned with garlic, paprika, wine or vinegar, and a variety of spices, then left to marinate before being fried or grilled. The result is slightly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy inside.
It is often served with papas fritas or other local side dishes, making it a hearty and satisfying meal.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands, especially Tenerife
Recommended
For meat lovers
Price
€–€€
07
Ropa vieja
Ropa vieja is a traditional and hearty dish from the Canary Islands. Its name, which literally means “old clothes”, refers to the shredded appearance of the meat.
In the classic version, beef and chicken are combined with potatoes, chickpeas, onions, garlic, peppers and spices. The ingredients are cooked together, then the shredded meat is mixed back in, creating a rich, comforting homemade dish.
It is a great example of traditional Canarian cooking, where simple ingredients are transformed into a flavourful and satisfying meal.
ArchipeGo Tip
If you are trying Canarian cuisine for the first time, ropa vieja is a great choice because you can experience several local ingredients in one dish. It pairs especially well with a glass of local wine and fresh bread.
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For lovers of hearty, homemade dishes
Price
€–€€
08
Conejo al salmorejo
In this dish, salmorejo does not refer to the cold tomato soup known in other parts of Spain. Instead, it is a garlic, paprika and spice-based marinade and sauce in which the rabbit is prepared. The result is a rich, intensely flavoured and truly traditional dish.
It is most commonly served with papas arrugadas or fried potatoes, making it a complete and hearty Canarian meal.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For lovers of traditional dishes
Price
€–€€
09
Sancocho canario
Sancocho is often served with gofio and mojo, bringing several characteristic Canarian ingredients and flavours together on one plate.
It is a simple and filling dish with a strong culinary tradition across the islands.
ArchipeGo Tip
If you want to discover traditional Canarian dishes, sancocho canario is well worth trying. A local family-run restaurant is a particularly good place to try a classic version.
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For lovers of traditional dishes
Price
€–€€
10
Rancho canario
Rancho canario is a classic and hearty one-pot dish from the Canary Islands. Its main ingredients are potatoes, chickpeas and pasta, usually combined with meat, onions, garlic and a variety of spices.
It is a thick and filling dish that represents traditional home-style Canarian cuisine. Made with simple ingredients, it is a great example of how the islands developed satisfying dishes using just a few staple foods.
Rancho canario is most commonly served as a meat, potato and chickpea stew, with pasta also playing an important role. It is especially comforting when served hot and freshly prepared.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For lovers of traditional, hearty dishes
Price
€–€€
11
Puchero canario
Puchero canario is one of the best-known traditional one-pot dishes of the Canary Islands. It is a hearty, homemade meal that combines a variety of vegetables, potatoes, chickpeas and meat.
The recipe can vary from island to island and from one family to another, but it often includes cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, courgette, potatoes and chickpeas, along with beef or pork and chicken. The ingredients are slowly cooked together, allowing all the flavours to blend beautifully.
What makes puchero special is that it is made with simple ingredients yet results in an incredibly rich and filling meal. It is a great example of traditional Canarian home cooking.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For lovers of traditional, hearty dishes
Price
€–€€
12
Fresh Fish & Seafood
Fresh fish and seafood are an important part of Canarian cuisine. Thanks to the islands’ ocean surroundings, you can find freshly caught or recently sourced fish in many local restaurants.
The preparation is often simple: grilled, baked or served with garlic and a seasoned sauce, allowing the natural flavour of the fish to shine. Common choices include vieja, cherne, dorada and lubina, although the selection can vary depending on the restaurant and the daily catch.
Fish dishes are often served with local sides such as papas arrugadas, salad or vegetables, creating a light and flavourful Canarian meal.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For fish and seafood lovers
Price
€€–€€€
13
Barraquito
Barraquito is one of the Canary Islands’ best-known coffee specialties, made with several distinct layers. The classic version combines coffee, condensed milk, milk or evaporated milk, and a little liqueur.
Its distinctive appearance comes from the layers: sweet condensed milk at the bottom, followed by coffee, then milk, and often a touch of cinnamon and grated lemon zest on top. Sweeter and more substantial than a regular coffee, it is often enjoyed as a dessert or alongside one.
Barraquito is particularly popular across the islands, and you can find several variations. Some places serve it without liqueur, while others use different proportions of the ingredients.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For coffee and sweet flavour lovers
Price
€–€€
14
Frangollo
Frangollo is a traditional Canarian dessert made primarily with cornmeal. It is cooked with milk, lemon zest, cinnamon and raisins, and may also include almonds or other dried fruit.
It has a thick, pudding-like texture, while the flavour is sweet, lightly spiced and subtly citrusy. The recipe can vary from island to island, and even from family to family, so you may come across several different versions.
Frangollo is a great example of the simplicity of traditional Canarian cuisine: it is made with just a few basic ingredients, yet it has a distinctive and easily recognisable flavour.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For lovers of traditional desserts
Price
€–€€
15
Bienmesabe
Bienmesabe is one of the classic desserts of the Canary Islands, made primarily with almonds, sugar, egg yolks and lemon. It is a thick, creamy sweet with an intense almond flavour balanced by fresh citrus notes.
Bienmesabe is often served as an accompaniment to other desserts, such as ice cream, cake or pudding, but it is delicious on its own too. You may find different variations depending on the island and the family recipe.
The name roughly translates as “it tastes good to me”, which is a fitting description for this sweet and creamy Canarian speciality.
ArchipeGo Tip
Location
Canary Islands
Recommended
For lovers of almonds and sweet desserts
Price
€–€€
Plan Your Tenerife Trip
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