Best restaurants and what to eat
Spain
Las Palmas, on the Canary Islands, has a cuisine shaped by the Atlantic, volcanic soils, and centuries of maritime trade. Its gastronomy blends humble island staples like wrinkled potatoes, gofio, fresh fish, and goat cheese with rich sauces, tropical fruits, and iconic sweets.
A toasted cereal flour made from roasted grains, gofio is one of the Canaries' defining staples. Nutty, earthy, and slightly smoky, it is used in soups, stews, desserts, and even kneaded with broth or milk; it pairs especially well with honey, seafood broths, and goat cheese.
These small wrinkled potatoes are boiled in heavily salted water until the skins turn crinkled and lightly salty. Their dense, creamy flesh is a perfect canvas for mojo sauces and the simplest expression of Canarian comfort food.
A fiery red sauce of peppers, garlic, paprika, vinegar, and oil, mojo picón is the island's most famous condiment. Sharp, smoky, and bright, it lifts potatoes, grilled fish, meats, and vegetables with immediate personality.
This green mojo is fragrant with coriander or parsley, garlic, cumin, and oil. Fresher and more herbal than the red version, it is especially good with fish, potatoes, and octopus.
A celebrated Canarian cheese from Gran Canaria, often made with thistle rennet that gives it a delicate floral bitterness. Semi-soft to creamy, it has lactic depth and a distinctive aroma, excellent with rustic bread, figs, or a glass of local wine.
Made with a blend of vegetal and animal rennet, this cheese balances gentle dairy sweetness with a subtle herbal edge. It is a prized table cheese, firm enough for slicing yet supple on the palate.
One of Gran Canaria's best-known rums, distilled in Arucas and widely associated with the island. Smooth and molasses-rich, it is enjoyed neat, over ice, or in local cocktails.
A sweet rum-and-honey liqueur beloved across the Canaries, with warm caramel, vanilla, and floral notes. It is typically served chilled or in small glasses after meals.
The volcanic wines of the eastern Canaries are famous for their minerality and bright fruit, shaped by ash-covered vineyards and trade winds. White versions are especially crisp and saline, while reds can be light and aromatic.
Gran Canaria produces expressive island wines with marked freshness and volcanic character. They are commonly poured with fish, cheeses, and tapas, and often highlight local grape varieties.
Sweet and aromatic Malvasía wines are a historic Canarian specialty, prized for their floral nose and honeyed richness. They are often served with desserts, blue cheeses, or simply sipped as a contemplative aperitif.
A classic Spanish beer style popular on the islands, claro is light, refreshing, and usually mixed with lemon soda. It is a casual beach or bar drink, especially appreciated in hot weather.
A beloved Canarian dish of shredded meat, chickpeas, potatoes, peppers, and tomato, slowly cooked until rich and cohesive. Hearty and deeply savory, it is a comforting example of island home cooking.
The Canarian puchero is a generous stew of meats, legumes, and vegetables, often including squash, corn, and cabbage. Rustic, nourishing, and layered in flavor, it showcases the island's peasant cooking tradition.
A watercress soup or stew with potatoes, beans, and often corn and pork, potaje de berros is one of the islands' most comforting dishes. Peppery, earthy, and velvety, it is especially satisfying in cooler weather.
This traditional feast centers on salted fish, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mojo, and gofio. Salty, tender, and robust, it is a quintessential dish for family gatherings and religious festivities.
Perhaps the best-known island plate, these salty wrinkled potatoes are served with red and green mojo sauces. Simple yet irresistible, the combination captures the whole Canarian palate in one bite.
Fish baked in a salt crust is a clean, elegant preparation that preserves moisture and highlights the freshness of the catch. Often finished with olive oil and mojo, it reflects the islands' seafood-first cuisine.
Choose how to explore restaurants at this destination.