Going out for tapas in Gran Canaria? The pintxo culture is more closely linked to cities such as Bilbao, Granada or San Sebastián, and even to illustrious neighbourhoods such as El Húmedo in León or El Tubo in Zaragoza.
However, in all cities of a certain size you can find people who practice the art of ‘tapeo’: going out and socialising while having delicious tapas.
And if you add to this one of the best climates in the world, which invites you to enjoy life outside and, above all, on the terraces under the mild Canarian sun, it’s more than perfect! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go out for tapas on the island!
Where to go for tapas in Gran Canaria
Going out for tapas is one of the most popular pleasures on the island, not only because of the weather most of the year, but also because of the success of these little gems of flavour and culinary art within the reach of anyone’s budget.
Are you “hangry”? Triana is your solution
It’s difficult to find the Gran Canarian Triana on the internet, as the first search engine results are usually those of the popular Seville neighbourhood and the powerful Andalusian rock band.
It’s comforting to stroll through the pedestrian streets of this historic district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Here, any pause serves to mitigate that feeling of discomfort produced by hunger, called ‘jilorio’ in the Canary Islands.
Don’t hesitate to try the roast leg of pork (very typical of the Canary Islands) at PataMig, the homemade omelette at Midway, island wines at Vinófilos, “ropa vieja” with meat at Bodegón Lagunetas or countless tapas at La Croqueta de Cano.
2. ‘Enyesques’ in Vegueta
Did you know that in the Canary Islands we even have our own word for a small portion of food served as an accompaniment to drinks? Here we call tapas ‘enyesques’.
Enjoy the best ‘enyesques’ in more than twenty bars in the historic district of Vegueta in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where you can have a drink with a tapa for only €2 every Thursday, between 20:00 and 22:00 hours.
Be sure to try the best beers at Te lo dije Pérez, the best mushrooms at La Champiñonería, the creole empanadas at La Barbería, the papas bravas at El Vasco de Vegueta or the aubergines with sugar cane honey at La Picadita.
3. A bit of ‘picoteo’ in the Mercado del Puerto
If you really want to be able to say that you’ve been out for tapas in Gran Canaria, you have to visit the Mercado del Puerto in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Curiously, it was erected by technicians from the same company that built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It’s the first supply market in the Canary Islands to add gastronomy to its offer, and it’s also the first gastromarket on the islands. Here you’ll find a varied gastronomic offer seasoned with a host of cultural activities.
Try some tasty olives and picklings at Antequera, some ham and cured meats at Bocado Ibérico, the best Galician octopus at Las Meigas, Nordic tapas at Skandi or some Canarian snacks at Piscos y Buches.
4. Tapas in Vecindario
In the southeast of the island of Gran Canaria there’s also a wide offer when it comes to tapas. In fact, this town has been growing exponentially for years. And, of course, the tapas bars aren’t far behind.
Good proof of this is Tapa, Plato & Pincho and its teriyaki chicken, Mr. Tostao and his arepas of all kinds, El Sitio Ibérico and its charcuterie board, Tasquita Ávila’s and its “chipirones” with green mojo sauce or the Terraza La Era and its chicken stripes with honey and mustard.
5. Nomad Gastro Market
However, the place par excellence for tapas in Gran Canaria is, without a doubt, Nomad Gastro Market. Located on the top floor of Holidayworld Maspalomas, this is the only food court in Gran Canaria.
Here you’ll find a wide range of culinary offerings from all over the world at the best prices on the market, from tasty Canarian food to Mexican, Japanese, Thai, American, Italian, Hawaiian… and much more.
The Harrow Sports Bar, a spectacular sports bar with ping pong tables, table football and billiards, as well as the Terraza Botánico, a meeting point for lovers of nightlife in the south of the island, are also located in the same place.
All this, and much more, can be enjoyed if you dare to go out for tapas in Gran Canaria, an island that is increasingly moving away from the typical sun and beach tourism of a lifetime, opting for different plans for all types of public.
