Travel Suggestions Blog

The island of Tenerife offers diversity in many areas, from its activities to its accommodation, but cuisine is one element that can sometimes get overlooked All types of tourist are catered for on the isle, with authentic, local cuisine and international options both available Whether seeking something familiar or a true taste of the island, delicious dishes are always served up at the independent restaurants and hotels in Tenerife. Here’s a selection of the local treats on offer:

Meat

Meat, including pork, beef, chicken, or rabbit, is often slow-cooked in liquid and served as a sauce or stew. Pork fans should also try ‘fiesta meat’ - pork which is spiced and marinated and often served with potatoes as a side dish.

Vegetables

A large part of the island diet revolves around fresh vegetables. Vegetable stews made with tomatoes, potatoes, maize, onions and peppers are popular choices. Gofio – a cereal paste prepared with grains such as maize, toasted wheat, or barley – is frequently served with stew.

Island specialities

A specialty of Tenerife is ‘mojo’ sauce, which is often served with fresh seafood, such as sardines, octopus, shellfish, boiled vieja (sea bream), tuna, and jareas and tollos (a local, salted fish). Another great way to try it is served over small potatoes. The sauce combines oil, vinegar, red pepper sauce and a variety of spices like coriander, cumin, pepper, parsley and garlic.

Meanwhile, those looking for something a bit different will be intrigued by the moles eggs recipe - a traditional egg dish cooked with sweet syrup made of two spoonfuls of sugar per egg yolk. Other must-try items include ‘tollos’ (dried and seasoned shark strips), fried chorizo, and sweet black pudding.

Beverages

Tenerife’s numerous vineyards are well placed to provide the perfect accompaniment to a traditional meal. After a busy day of wine tasting, visiting museums or just taking in the sites, holidaymakers can sit down and relax with a gorgeous meal and a glass of ‘vino’.

There are various ways to enjoy Tenerife’s cuisine. All inclusive packages at many Tenerife hotels allow guests to try out a variety of dishes all within the cost of the room. This is a great option for those on a budget and the standard of food on offer is generally very high - as is the case with most Canaries hotels right across the archipelago. If by any chance, however, the menu does not tick all the boxes, then bed & breakfast is the way forward. This way, visitors can sample the island’s many restaurants and the varied dishes on offer at their leisure, get the full effect of Tenerife’s fabulous flavours.