Local restaurants in the south of Tenerife

If you are visiting Tenerife, we recommend you visit local restaurants and taste authentic Canarian cuisine – not the “tourist” version. Although it is a very simple cuisine, you will find many surprising flavors, characteristic of the region.

Canarian cuisine

Before the Spanish conquered the Canary Islands in the 15th century, the Guanches – the original inhabitants of the islands – lived here. Their diet was very simple, based mainly on goat’s milk, meat, fish, wild fruits and gofio – flour made from cereals roasted over a fire. To this day, gofio remains one of the most important elements of Canarian cuisine, making it one of the oldest “living” culinary ingredients in Europe.

The geographic location of the islands has shaped the cuisine in a unique way. On the one hand, we have the Atlantic, which provided fish and seafood, and on the other, volcanic soils ideal for growing potatoes, tomatoes, bananas or vines. As a result, Canarian cuisine has become a mix of simple ingredients, often prepared naturally: grilling, roasting in wood-fired ovens, cooking in heavily salted water.

In addition, the flavors of Canarian cuisine were heavily influenced by relations with South America, hence many elements of Venezuelan, Argentine cuisine.
What’s worth eating down in Tenerife? Read about dishes in Canarian cuisine 👉 here.

Local restaurants in the south of Tenerife

Although the vast majority of Tenerife’s local restaurants are located in the north of the island, you can also enjoy tasty authentic Canarian cuisine in the south. Here are some of our suggestions:

1. Cas Toñito (Valle de San Lorenzo / Arona).

Cas Toñito, also known as Bodegón Guachinche Cas Toñito, is a place that perfectly combines a guachinche atmosphere with a more comfortable restaurant approach. It serves dishes typical of Canarian cuisine, such as grilled meats, fish and papas arrugadas with mojo. Their chamois is famous throughout Tenerife. The interiors are authentic, with local character. Prices are affordable. You’ll pay about 30 euros for dinner for two.

Location: Valle de San Lorenzo, Arona, at Callejón Hornito 5.

2. Bodegón Tío Julio (Buzanada)

Restaurant with typical Canarian food. Here you will enjoy the famous potatoes, octopus, meat dishes, or ropa vieja – a typical dish of the area. The food is fresh and homemade, and the service is very friendly.

Location: Buzanada, C. Real, n16

3. Finca Tres Roques (Ifonche)

Finca Tres Roques is a place that combines nature, rural surroundings and local cuisine. Its location in the Ifonche area gives it a quiet, more rustic vibe. Because of their inland location – not by the sea – they often serve local, less “touristy” products. To get to this place, you must have a car. The ideal idea is to come here for sunset, which is beautiful. On site, in addition to local dishes, you can also taste local wines.

Location: Ifonche, Cmo. a Funes

4. el Cordero (Guargacho)

Just 8 minutes from the south airport is “El Cordero” (meaning “The Lamb”) – the name suggests dishes made of lamb or mutton meat. And you’ll see a huge lamb in front of the restaurant’s entrance. If it’s a local restaurant, it’s known for its grilled meats, but you can also try seafood and local appetizers and drinks here. The location of the restaurant is an interesting experience in itself. This is because it is located on a banana plantation. While you are waiting for your dish, you can take a short walk and see how the famous Canarian platanos (bananas) grow

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