Good to know
Good to Know
- Papas arrugadas con mojo is naturally vegan and widely available at casual restaurants.
- Guachinches are traditional family-run rustic eateries found on island outskirts offering authentic Canarian dishes at budget prices with daily-changing menus.
- Meal times in Tenerife run slightly earlier than mainland Spain: lunch around 2–3 p.m., dinner around 8:30–9 p.m. or later.
- Santa Cruz has excellent options for vegetarian and vegan diets, with many traditional Canarian dishes naturally accommodating these preferences.
- Fresh seafood is best sourced near Mercado Nuestra Señora de África, where small restaurants purchase directly from the market.
- The market's fish section allows you to select seafood and have it prepared on-site.
- Canary Islands residents consume more cheese per capita than mainland Spain; local goat cheese is widely available.
- Tenerife produces excellent wines with mineral-rich volcanic soil; local wine pairs well with traditional dishes.
Supermarkets
Mercado Nuestra Señora De ÁFrica
- Type
- Traditional market
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Description
- Historic colonial-style market with over 200 stalls offering fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese, honey, vegetables, spices, and local products. Operating since 1944. Open 7 a.m.–3 p.m. daily (Sundays until 2 p.m.).
Carrefour
- Type
- Supermarket chain
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Description
- Large supermarket with extensive grocery selection in Centro Comercial Meridiano shopping mall.
Coviran
- Type
- Supermarket chain
- Neighborhood
- Torviscas
- Description
- Local Spanish-Portuguese chain emphasizing fresh produce from nearby farmers and community support.
Mercadona
- Type
- Supermarket chain
- Neighborhood
- Multiple locations in city center
- Description
- Spanish supermarket chain with fresh meat line appreciated by locals.
Budget
La Bodeguita Canaria
- Price Range
- €15
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Canarian cuisine
Bodegón El Puntero
- Price Range
- €12
- Neighborhood
- San Clemente
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Canarian classics - papas arrugadas, roasted pork
Burger Mel
- Price Range
- €10
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vegan burgers, fast food
High End
Etereo by Pedro Nel
- Price Range
- €55
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Mediterranean with Canarian accents, quality meats
Jaxana Restaurant
- Price Range
- €50
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Japanese fusion cuisine
El Aguarde
- Price Range
- €52
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fine dining Canarian - local produce, eggs, seafood
Mid Range
Restaurante La Hierbita
- Price Range
- €25
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Canarian seafood and stews
Taberna Ramón
- Price Range
- €22
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Tapas, serrano ham, traditional Spanish
D'Tapas 26
- Price Range
- €24
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Creative tapas with local ingredients
Meson Los ÁNgeles
- Price Range
- €26
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Canarian - octopus, grilled fish
Delivery Services
Glovo
- Notes
- Multi-service delivery app offering food, groceries, parapharmacies, flowers. Delivers in under 1 hour in Santa Cruz.
Just Eat
- Notes
- 232+ establishments available including restaurants and grocery delivery. Grocery partnership with HiperDino for fresh food and daily essentials.
Uber Eats
- Notes
- Available for restaurant food delivery in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Michelin Restaurants
Information Limited
- Note
- Michelin Guide coverage for Santa Cruz de Tenerife is limited. Local high-end establishments like Etereo by Pedro Nel, Jaxana Restaurant, and El Aguarde are highly-rated alternatives to Michelin restaurants.
Local Must Try Dishes
- Overview
- Santa Cruz's culinary heritage centers on Canarian cuisine blending Spanish tradition with island ingredients and African influences. Fresh seafood, volcanic-soil potatoes, and local cheeses define the local food identity.
Dishes
Papas Arrugadas Con Mojo
- Description
- Small unpeeled potatoes boiled in sea salt water until wrinkled, served with two traditional sauces: mojo verde (cilantro/parsley-based) and mojo picón (red pepper and garlic-based).
Sancocho Canario
- Description
- Traditional salted fish stew with chunky potatoes and fresh mojo. A historic Easter dish particularly found in family-run restaurants and guachinches (rustic wine taverns).
Ropa Vieja
- Description
- Slow-cooked beef that falls apart into shreds, served with chickpeas in a hearty stew. A winter staple in Santa Cruz.
Conejo Al Salmorejo
- Description
- Rabbit stew marinated overnight in oil, wine, vinegar, paprika, chili pepper, garlic, and herbs, then simmered until tender.
Lapas Con Mojo
- Description
- Grilled limpets served in their shell with a generous spoonful of mojo sauce. A coastal seafood specialty.
Carne Fiesta
- Description
- Pork marinated overnight in rich sauce, then fried to create tender meat with crisp, salty exterior. A carnival festival staple.
Barraquito
- Description
- Canarian coffee dessert drink with layers, often made with Licor 43.
Bienmesabe
- Description
- Traditional almond-based dessert.
Vegan And Vegetarian Dining
- Overview
- Santa Cruz has a growing vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene with several dedicated establishments offering plant-based Canarian dishes, international cuisines, and creative meat alternatives.
Venues
Veggie Penguin
- Neighborhood
- San Cristóbal de La Laguna
- Description
- Vegetarian/vegan restaurant with fresh local ingredients, vegan creations, and gluten/lactose-free options. Operating since 2017, supports local animal-rights projects.
Restaurante Vegetariano La Verdulería
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Description
- Cozy vegetarian restaurant with vibrant design offering ovo-lacto-vegetarian and vegan dishes with international influences (Thai, Indian, Mexican, Moroccan).
Tasca La Tata
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Description
- Cozy restaurant blending Middle/Far Eastern cuisines with Canarian flavors. Abundant fresh salads with protein options (nuts, seiten) and homemade dressings; not exclusively vegan/vegetarian but extensive options.
Burger Mel
- Neighborhood
- City Center
- Description
- Budget vegan fast-food joint with vegan burgers, combo meals, and own brand of vegan products.
International Cuisine
- Overview
- Santa Cruz has diverse international dining options including Italian, Japanese, Asian fusion, Indian, Filipino, and Venezuelan cuisine alongside traditional Spanish fare. Japanese and Italian restaurants are particularly well-represented.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.thefork.com
- 2.tripadvisor.com
- 3.canarias-lovers.com
- 4.tenerifenews.com
- 5.cultureactivities.com
- 6.getyourguide.com
- 7.piccavey.com
- 8.worldoffoodanddrink.worldtravelguide.net
- 9.wanderlog.com
- 10.wanderlog.com
- 11.wanderlog.com
- 12.veganhaventravel.com
- 13.welikecanarias.com
- 14.wanderlog.com
- 15.newslopes.substack.com
- 16.tenerife-information-centre.com
- 17.kelionessuvaikais.lt
- 18.glovoapp.com
- 19.just-eat.es
More About Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Cost of Living in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Visas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Safety in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Co-working in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Connectivity & Internet in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Best Neighborhoods in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Emergencies in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Walkability & Transport in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.