Ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Gran Canaria

In Gran Canaria, you never have to look far to find a great place to eat. While Las Palmas has plenty of excellent restaurants, some of the best restaurants in Gran Canaria are found in small villages and unique, scenic locations across the island.

Gran Canaria’s food scene has also been shaped by Latin American influences, especially by communities who have made the island their home. You will find plenty of arepa spots, as well as Venezuelan, Mexican, and even Peruvian restaurants. If you are expecting the typical tapas culture of mainland Spain, you may be surprised, because the food culture in the Canary Islands has its own distinct character.

Our list of the best places to eat in Gran Canaria focuses on local favourites rather than the fanciest or most expensive restaurants. Here, we are sharing the best restaurants in Gran Canaria for anyone who wants to experience the island’s food scene at its most authentic.

Our list of best restaurants in Gran Canaria

The best seafood restaurant

The best seafood restaurant with a local flavor and fresh fish is definitely Amigo Camilo. This popular spot requires a reservation one week beforehand, so you need to do some planning if you want to get a table here. The food here is very simple. If you order a fish, you only get a fish. Potatoes or garnish have to be ordered separately. But the taste is delicious, and the fish is cooked to perfection!

Restaurant with the best views

Restaurante Parador Cruz de Tejeda wins with the stunning views of the mountains. The restaurant side is quite fancy but they also have a café where you can order sandwiches if you are not in for a heavy meal. They also have vegan options!

Best ramen

Restaurante Shifu has the most delicious ramen in the city. You can also check their lunch offers, which usually include an appetizer and a drink.

Best pizza

The winner for the best pizza is hard to decide because in Gran Canaria there are so many good pizza places. This time we choose Picnic as our number one pizza place. Their yummy pizzas are worth the trouble to wander to Las Palmas old town side.

The best cave restaurant

One of the coolest restaurants is Bar Restaurante Guayadeque, which is located in the mountains in a cave. The restaurant offers local Canarian dishes and has freshly grilled food during the weekends. This restaurant is very busy, especially on weekends, so be prepared to wait even an hour before getting in. It’s worth the wait though because dining in a cave is such a unique experience!

Best village restaurant

If you are on the road and checking the villages of Gran Canaria, stop by Restaurante La Majada. They have very tasty local dishes! Try their fried cheese and octopus or if you are not a fan of the seafood, their goat dishes are also really good.

Best poke bowls

Best poke bowls are definitely in Poké Poké. This chain offers both readymade poke bowls and bowls you can construct yourself. Good ingredients with great variety make this place as the best one for poke bowls.

Las Palmas restaurant tips

In Las Palmas, if you are looking for restaurants, the general advice is to move away from the seaside. The best places to eat in Las Palmas are not the ones located on the promenade. Just move one street away from the sea, and you will find good local places and a great variety of restaurants from different parts of the world.

Must-try local foods

The must try dishes in Gran Canaria include papas arrugadas with mojo sauce, fried cheese with jam, ropa vieja (strew), and almogrote. The local food is definitely the best food in Gran Canaria! You can also try a tasty local drink called barraquito, which includes coffee, condensed milk, and liquor. It’s a good treat and works well as a dessert.

Need company for a coffee, lunch or dinner?

On Friendchise, you can find people to go to have lunch or dinner with. Just post your idea on the platform, where and when you would like to meet, and other users can join your plan. On Friendchise, we have both locals and international people, so you will find a great mix of people to meet with!