Gran Canaria Food Guide — What to Eat and Where
Gran Canaria has a food culture that most visitors barely scratch the surface of. The south coast resorts do an excellent job of catering to every nationality, but to eat only tourist food here is to miss something genuinely worth trying. The island's own culinary tradition is rooted in simple, honest cooking, built around fresh Atlantic fish, locally grown vegetables, and a few elemental sauces.
The Essentials: Papas Arrugadas and Mojo
If you eat one dish in Gran Canaria, make it papas arrugadas — and eat it properly, with mojo. Papas arrugadas are small Canarian potatoes, traditionally a local variety, boiled in heavily salted water until the skins wrinkle and the salt forms a fine crust on the surface.
Mojo rojo is a red sauce made from dried chillies, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and vinegar. Mojo verde is a green sauce made with coriander or parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar — fresher and lighter, it works particularly well with fish.
Fresh Fish and Seafood
Gran Canaria's position in the Atlantic means the fish is very fresh and the variety is impressive. Vieja (parrotfish) is a firm, mild white fish particularly good grilled. Cherne is a large grouper with firm, rich white flesh. Lapas (limpets) are a Canarian staple: grilled in their shells, drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. Chipirones (small squid, usually fried) are another common and excellent option.
Local Cheeses
Gran Canaria produces excellent local cheeses made from goat's milk, sheep's milk, or a mixture. Tierno (fresh and soft), semicurado (semi-cured), and curado (aged) varieties are all worth trying, often served drizzled with mojo or local honey.
Canarian Stews and Hearty Dishes
Rancho canario is a thick, warming stew made with chickpeas, meat, noodles, and vegetables. Ropa vieja is a stew of chickpeas, meat, and vegetables. Caldo de papas is a simple potato broth, common in the interior.
The Best Markets for Food
Puerto de Mogán Friday Market: the most famous market on Gran Canaria's south coast, with vendors selling local produce, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and spices. Arguineguín Market (Tuesdays): less visited by tourists, with a more local character and excellent produce. Las Palmas: the Mercado Central de Las Palmas is a covered market in the Vegueta old town selling fresh produce, meat, fish, and local specialities.
What to Drink
Local wine: the Canary Islands produce wines from volcanic soils with a character unlike mainland Spanish wines. Barraquito: a layered coffee drink made with espresso, condensed milk, foamy milk, cinnamon, and sometimes Licor 43 — a Canarian institution. Fresh juices: papaya, mango, and passion fruit are all grown locally.
Where to Eat Well
The best Canarian food is generally found not in the main resort areas but in the local fishing villages, the capital, and the smaller towns of the interior. Arguineguín, Puerto de Mogán, and the Vegueta neighbourhood of Las Palmas are the strongest areas.
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