Diversity rules in Tenerife, something that is evident everywhere, not least in the outstanding variety of restaurants and bars. For the purposes of this article, we have left Italian, Indian and other specialties to one side in order to focus on local cooking.

Here is the result: a selection of restaurants of differing local categories and styles and for a range of budgets, leaving it up to you to choose the ones that suit you best. Discover the 10 best local restaurants for local cuisine in Tenerife.

  • 1

    EL TALLER Tapas Bar & Sweet Shop

    Delicious burgers and tapas at a great price

    EL TALLER Tapas Bar & Sweet Shop
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    El Taller is well known by locals as well as by those who do an internet search for good restaurant recommendations. Why should that be? The establishment is distinguished by its range of gourmet tapas, signature burgers and an exceptional dessert and candies menu.

    Looking at the wide variety of fare on the tapas menu is like taking a whistle-stop tour around Spain. Here, you will find dishes from every corner of the country, including the Canary Islands, of course, all beautifully presented with an even better flavor. If that weren't enough, El Taller has a stunning open-air terrace and boasts excellent service.

    Location: Calle El Jable, 40, 38678 Callao Salvaje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Monday from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Tuesday–Saturday from 1 pm to 9.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +34 616 00 17 60

    Map
  • 2

    Aromas del Mar

    The freshest seafood and the best sea views

    Aromas del Mar
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Aromas del Mar is a great dining choice if you're looking for a seafood restaurant on the Costa Adeje. The name of the restaurant, 'Sea Aromas', is particularly apt for 2 reasons: it is situated on the Torviscas beach promenade, and it serves the freshest seafood imaginable.

    This is evident in the fish soup, pulpo a la Gallego (Galician-style octopus with paprika and sliced potatos), the fried fish and the seafood rice dishes. Nevertheless, in its desire to please its clientele, it hasn't overlooked meat eaters and vegetarians. The place has it all.

    Location: Calle de Valencia, 4, 38670 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 10.30 pm

    Phone: +34 922 14 71 90

    Map
  • 3

    Bocaditos & Mar

    Fine Italian and Spanish cuisine with sea views

    Bocaditos & Mar
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Bocaditos & Mar offers a selection of Spanish tapas and Italian specialties that you can enjoy as you experience real happiness while sitting on an open-air terrace, looking out over the sea.

    This restaurant is the ideal spot for any occasion with its excellent facilities, unbeatable location and a menu with something for everybody, including paella and pasta dishes, all at reasonable prices. It is especially popular with families, as it serves the dishes that children like the most. Another aspect that customers frequently mention is the ambience.

    Location: Av. Rafael Puig Lluvina, 38670 Salityen, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Tuesday–Sunday from noon to midnight (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +34 667 29 51 39

    Map
  • 4

    CHAR Modern Cocina & Broil

    A boutique restaurant by La Caleta

    CHAR Modern Cocina & Broil
    • Couples
    • Food

    CHAR is a modern, elegant restaurant decorated in light tones with carefully designed lighting that creates a calm, cozy atmosphere. The restaurant's good taste is an indication of what to expect from the food served – simple recipes prepared from high-quality produce and talented chefs.

    The menu includes an extensive list of hot and cold appetizers. Main dishes focus on all manner of charcoal-grilled fish and meats or foods cooked in a Josper oven. The dishes prepared in a Josper oven are, in fact, the house specialties that set CHAR apart from its competition and those that the chefs are proudest of.

    Location: Calle El Muelle, 2, 38679 La Caleta, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 6 pm to 11.30 pm, Friday–Sunday from 1.30 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 11.30 pm

    Phone: +34 922 16 82 22

    Map
  • 5

    Restaurante Broil La Laja

    Luxury and quality at your table

    Restaurante Broil La Laja
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Restaurante Broil La Laja is the restaurant at the GF Gran Costa Adeje 5-star hotel, offering the luxurious, high-quality experience that its clientele expect. The restaurant specializes in charcoal-grilled meat and fish, although it also caters to vegetarians and coeliacs in its extensive appetizers and main dishes.

    The decoration of the dining room and open-air terrace is designed to create an intimate, romantic atmosphere. On Fridays and Saturdays, diners are entertained by live saxophone and piano music. Diners are advised to consult the restaurant's dress code.

    Location: Av. de Bruselas, 16, 38678 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 7 pm to 9.30 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

    Phone: +34 922 71 94 21

    Map
  • 6

    Mesón Asador Casa Rodrigo

    The restaurant in which Canary Islands cuisine was discovered

    Mesón Asador Casa Rodrigo
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Mesón Asador Casa Rodrigo is the place to go if you're looking for a restaurant in which to eat well with family and friends in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. This restaurant offers a simple menu of Canary Islands cuisine made with high-quality ingredients and friendly, professional service.

    The most highly recommended dishes are arroz caldoso (rice in broth), cazuela canaria (Canary Islands casserole), conejo frito (fried rabbit), carnes asadas (roast meats) and the timeless papas canarias con mojo (traditional Canary Islands potatos with mojo sauce). Seasonal homemade desserts complete your meal.

    Location: Carretera los Menores Taucho, 40, 38677 Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Wednesday–Monday from noon to 11 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

    Phone: +34 922 12 50 79

    Map
  • 7

    Restaurante Donaire

    Signature Canary Islands cuisine in a spectacular setting

    Restaurante Donaire
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Restaurante Donaire features traditional Canary Islands cooking transformed into signature cuisine. The exquisite interior decor rivals the beauty of the views from the fourth floor on which it can be found. As there's something to celebrate every day, reserve a table at Restaurante Donaire and raise a toast to life itself.

    The menu was created in line with the cornerstone of the company's philosophy – local ingredients, remaining true to its roots and a desire to innovate. After dinner, complete the experience with a cocktail and sea views on the open-air Terraza Zambra.

    Location: Calle Fernando López Arvelo, 1, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 7 pm to 10.30 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

    Phone: +34 922 98 71 77

    Map
  • 8

    El Tejado

    Authentic Canary Islands cuisine with fresh, cold sangria

    El Tejado
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    El Tejado stands on a main shopping street near the beaches and the most popular parts of the Costa Adeje, an area where it's very difficult to stand out from the competition. Nonetheless, this restaurant has garnered a faithful clientele. How? There isn't 1 single reason. Although many praise the ambience and good service, this is nevertheless a restaurant in which the food needs to be the strong point, something which is very much the case.

    The house specialties are the pulpo (octopus), the paella de marisco (seafood paella) and typical Canary Islands dishes, such as queso a la plancha con mermelada de tomate (broiled cheese with tomato compote), papas con tres mojos (potatos with the mojo sauces), costillas asadas con piñas de maíz (roast pork ribs with corn on the cob) and the croquetas de bacalao (salt cod croquettes). All taste better accompanied by fresh, cold sangria.

    Location: Av. De los Pueblos, 16, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Monday–Friday from 2 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +34 682 00 94 12

    Map
  • 9

    El Horno de Neptuno

    Beautifully prepared, timeless tapas

    El Horno de Neptuno
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    El Horno de Neptuno is your place if you're looking for a genuine tapas restaurant. The menu includes traditional dishes prepared with the greatest of care – a winning combination for its Spanish and international clientele.

    While you take a look at the menu and decide between the wide variety of tapas, enjoy a well-chilled sangria or mojito. The most popular choices here are the albóndigas en salsa de tomate (meatballs in tomato sauce), queso con miel y nueces (cheese with honey and walnuts) and boquerones en vinagre (soused anchovies). El Horno de Neptuno has an open-air terrace with fine sea views and attractive interior decor.

    Location: Av. de España, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Wednesday–Monday from 4 pm to 10.30 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

    Phone: +34 682 10 66 78

    Map
  • 10

    Pipo Café

    Healthy, tasty food by the sea

    Pipo Café
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Pipo Café sits in such a fantastic location by the Playa de las Américas and features such exquisite design that the food here could be a secondary concern. That is not the case, however. Pipo Café is committed to serving impeccably presented, healthy food that's inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean recipes and made with fresh, local produce.

    The restaurant is also a homage to fresh, seasonal fruit, while paying special attention to the beverages menu, which includes craft beers, aromatic teas, freshly-squeezed natural juices and smoothies. Pipo Café shows it is possible to eat out, eat healthily and eat at a reasonable price.

    Location: Av. Rafael Puig Lluvina, 7, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 2 am, Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm

    Phone: +34 629 23 91 69

    Map